Career Training Path › Illinois › Rock Valley College
Rock Valley College
Rockford, Illinois · Public community college · Training programs available:
Address: 3301 N Mulford Rd, Rockford, IL 61114 · Phone: (815) 921-7821 · School website ↗ · Verify on College Scorecard ↗
No accreditor sanctions in the last 36 months
Rock Valley College is a public trade school in Rockford, IL offering CNA classes, auto mechanic training, and aviation maintenance programs, accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Rock Valley College has a 37.3% completion rate, below the Illinois state average of 58.4%, with median graduate debt of $8,500 and median earnings of $39,158 ten years after entry, per the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
Annual cost of attendance is not reported in federal data for Rock Valley College; contact the school for current tuition. Federal financial aid, including FAFSA and Pell Grants, can be used here, and 28.2% of students receive Pell Grants.
What these trades pay once you're working
| Occupation | Starting (10th pct) | Median | Experienced (75th) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nursing assistants | $37,590 | $45,960 | $48,380 |
| Automotive service technicians and mechanics | $34,190 | $49,170 | $73,640 |
| Aircraft mechanics and service technicians | $46,460 | $81,680 | $126,500 |
| Welders, cutters, solderers and brazers | $38,890 | $51,320 | $61,520 |
| Electricians | $49,240 | $99,560 | $117,460 |
| Phlebotomists | $37,370 | $46,010 | $49,720 |
| Dental hygienists | $74,280 | $96,670 | $101,800 |
| Medical records specialists | $38,890 | $56,440 | $64,360 |
| Surgical technologists | $48,560 | $64,650 | $77,670 |
| Emergency medical technicians | $36,420 | $42,260 | $49,640 |
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics wages for everyone employed in the occupation in Illinois (May 2025; national where the state figure is not published). The program table below shows what this campus's own graduates earned in their first year, whatever job they took.
Trade programs at this campus
| Program | Credential | Grads / yr | Earnings, yr 1 | Earnings, yr 2 | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants | Certificate, under 300 hours | 231 | $22,259 | $23,649 | not reported |
| Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 72 | not reported | $52,107 | not reported |
| Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians | Certificate, 1–2 years | 53 | not reported | $52,107 | not reported |
| Precision Metal Working | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 37 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Precision Metal Working | Certificate, 1–2 years | 23 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians | Associate degree | 17 | $52,610 | not reported | not reported |
| Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 15 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians | Certificate, 1–2 years | 15 | not reported | $52,107 | not reported |
| Dental Support Services and Allied Professions | Associate degree | 11 | $53,602 | $49,527 | not reported |
| Electrical and Power Transmission Installers | Certificate, 1–2 years | 11 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Electrical and Power Transmission Installers | Associate degree | 11 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians | Certificate, 1–2 years | 10 | not reported | $52,107 | not reported |
| Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians | Associate degree | 6 | $52,610 | not reported | not reported |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 4 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 1 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | Certificate, 1–2 years | 1 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
Earnings are median wages and self-employment income reported to the IRS (W-2 and Schedule SE) for graduates who received federal aid and were working and not enrolled, measured in the calendar year after finishing. They are pay only: health insurance, retirement contributions and other benefits are not included.
Graduates per year from the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) 2022-23 Completions survey. Earnings and debt are College Scorecard field-of-study medians for graduates of this program at this campus (reported at the 4-digit program level, so closely related programs share a figure); "not reported" means too few graduates were counted to publish a figure.
About this school
Rock Valley College is a public trade and career training campus in Rockford, Illinois. It is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, with its dental program specifically accredited by the American Dental Association's Commission on Dental Accreditation, and it participates in federal Title IV financial aid, meaning students can use FAFSA, federal loans, and Pell Grants. The campus offers 16 program families, most notably CNA classes, auto mechanic training, and aviation maintenance (A&P) programs, alongside welding, electrician, phlebotomy, dental hygiene, medical billing and coding, surgical technology, and EMT training.
Federal data shows a completion rate of 37.3%, which is below the Illinois state average of 58.4%. Graduates who took on debt carried a median of $8,500, and median earnings ten years after entry were $39,158. About 28.2% of students receive Pell Grants. Annual cost of attendance is not reported for this campus in federal data.
With 518 trade program completers among an undergraduate enrollment of 4,359, Rock Valley College serves a mix of short-term certificate seekers and those in longer allied-health and technical tracks. The presence of programs like CNA classes and phlebotomy alongside more technical fields like aviation maintenance suggests options for both quick entry-level credentials and more involved coursework, though specific program lengths are not reported here. Prospective students, including career changers, should verify current accreditation status and detailed outcomes directly through the College Scorecard or by contacting the school.
Questions students ask
What trade and career programs does this campus offer?
Rock Valley College offers 16 program families including CNA classes, auto mechanic schools, aviation maintenance (A&P) schools, welding, electrician training, phlebotomy, dental hygiene, medical billing and coding, surgical technology, and EMT training. Its top programs by completions are CNA classes, auto mechanic schools, and aviation maintenance.
Is this school accredited, and by whom?
Yes, Rock Valley College is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, and its dental program is accredited by the American Dental Association's Commission on Dental Accreditation.
Can I use federal financial aid (FAFSA, Pell Grants) at this school?
Yes, this school participates in Title IV federal financial aid programs, so students can use FAFSA, federal loans, and Pell Grants. About 28.2% of students receive Pell Grants.
What share of students finish their program here, and how does that compare to the state?
The completion rate is 37.3%, which is below the Illinois state average of 58.4%.
How much debt do graduates of this school typically carry?
Graduates carry a median debt of $8,500, per federal data.
What do graduates of this school earn?
Median earnings ten years after entry are $39,158, per the College Scorecard.
How much does it cost to attend for a year?
Annual cost of attendance is not reported for this campus in federal data; contact the school directly at (815) 921-7821 or visit its website for current tuition.
Is this a public, non-profit, or for-profit school, and why does that matter?
Rock Valley College is a public institution, which often means lower tuition for state residents compared to for-profit schools, though specific tuition figures are not reported here.
How long do the programs here take to complete?
Program lengths are not reported in the available federal data; contact the school directly to confirm program durations.
How do I verify this school's accreditation and outcomes myself?
You can verify accreditation status and review detailed federal outcome data through the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard at the provided link, or by contacting the Higher Learning Commission.
Is this school a good fit for an adult changing careers?
The mix of short-term programs like CNA classes and phlebotomy alongside more technical tracks such as aviation maintenance may suit career changers seeking varied entry points, though specific scheduling and program length details are not reported here.
What license or certification will I need after finishing a program here?
Specific licensing or certification requirements after program completion are not reported in this data; contact the school or the relevant state licensing board for details.
How do I contact the school or apply?
You can contact Rock Valley College at (815) 921-7821 or visit its website at https://www.rockvalleycollege.edu/ for application details.
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- DeVry University-IllinoisLisle, IL · university
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See all trade and career schools in Illinois or search by ZIP code.
Data: Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) 2022-23 Completions survey; College Scorecard June 2026; Database of Accredited Postsecondary Institutions and Programs (DAPIP), September 2026. Figures are the U.S. Department of Education's official measures, not Career Training Path's opinion. Tuition, schedules and program availability change — confirm with the school before enrolling.