Rockford University is a private nonprofit institution offering graduate degrees based in Rockford, Illinois. It enrolls 972 students (a small, tight-knit student body), according to IPEDS 2023-24 data. Below you'll find verified data on admissions, cost, student outcomes, programs offered, and what graduates typically earn, all pulled from the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard and IPEDS.
US College Data scores each college on four pillars (outcomes, value, affordability, and selectivity) on a 0–100 scale, ranked within its peer group (4-Year Selective). Scores are calculated from verified College Scorecard and IPEDS data, not opinion or paid placement. Where data is missing, that pillar isn't scored.
Fair
54/100
UCD Score · 4-Year Selective
Outcomes24
Value40
Affordability60
Selectivity13
Admissions & Acceptance Rate
With an acceptance rate of 92.9%, Rockford University is broadly accessible to qualified applicants.
Acceptance Rate
92.9%
Open
SAT Range (25th–75th)
850 – 1070
Reading + Math combined
ACT Range (25th–75th)
17 – 23
Cumulative composite
Test PolicyNot ConsideredStandardized test scores are not used in admissions decisions.
5-Year Admission Trend
Acceptance rate over the last five admission cycles. The trend tells you whether Rockford University is getting harder, easier, or staying about the same.
Stable ↑
3.0 pts
since 2019
Cost & Financial Aid
The real cost of attending Rockford University isn't the sticker price. It's the net price,which is what most students actually pay after grants and scholarships. According to College Scorecard 2023-24 data, the average net price is $22,436 per year. That's in line with the typical net price for private nonprofit colleges nationally.
Average Net Price
$22,436
Per year, after typical aid
Receive Pell Grants
48%
Need-based federal aid
Receive Federal Loans
57%
Borrowing to attend
Full Cost Breakdown
Published cost of attendance, the sticker price before grants and scholarships. Most students underestimate room & board and other expenses.
Tuition & Fees
$37,780
Room & Board (on-campus)
$11,420
Room & Board (off-campus)
$7,750
Books & Supplies
$1,200
Other Expenses (on-campus)
$4,300
Other Expenses (off-campus)
$4,800
Total Cost of Attendance
$49,169
Net Price by Family Income
Aid is need-based, so net price varies by family income. Here's what each bracket typically pays after grants and scholarships.
Under $30,000
$20,877
$30,001 – $48,000
$20,841
$48,001 – $75,000
$22,987
$75,001 – $110,000
$21,229
Over $110,000
$27,097
Debt at Graduation
Cumulative federal-loan debt across the full borrowing distribution. The 10th and 90th percentiles bracket the typical range; the median sits in the middle.
$4,75010%percentile
$8,25025%percentile
$22,274Medianpercentile
$28,50075%percentile
$35,00090%percentile
Median Debt by Student Type
Median federal-loan debt at graduation broken down by demographic. Each slice's size is proportional to the dollar amount that group typically borrows.
GroupDebtvs Median
Pell recipients $16,750
↓ $5,524
No Pell $12,000
↓ $10,274
Dependent students $13,000
↓ $9,274
Independent students $25,000
↑ $2,726
Female students $16,500
↓ $5,774
Male students $11,500
↓ $10,774
Worth knowing:
Students who don't finish leave with a median debt of $5,500, less than completers ($22,274), but still a meaningful obligation without a degree in hand.
Graduation Rate & Retention
59% of full-time students who enrolled at Rockford University graduate within six years, and 68% return for their second year, per IPEDS 2023-24 completion data.
6-Year Graduation Rate
59%
Of students who graduate within six years
First-Year Retention
68%
Returning for their second year
After Graduation: Earnings & Outcomes
According to College Scorecard 2023-24 data, students who entered Rockford University earn a median of $54,794 ten years after first enrolling. That's close to the national median for U.S. colleges.
Median Earnings (10 yrs)
$54,794
Earning > $25K
82%
10 yrs after entry
Earnings Growth After Graduation
Median annual earnings 6, 8, and 10 years after students first enrolled.
Earnings by Demographic
Mean annual earnings 10 years after entry, segmented by demographic. Reveals gaps the headline median can't show.
By Gender
Female graduates
$45,100
Median earnings for female grads ten years after first enrolling here.
Male graduates
$52,100
Median earnings for male grads ten years after first enrolling here.
By Family Income at Entry
Family income (lowest third)
$44,300
Earnings of grads from the bottom-third of family incomes at entry.
Family income (middle third)
$49,400
Earnings of grads from the middle-third of family incomes at entry.
Family income (highest third)
$49,100
Earnings of grads from the top-third of family incomes at entry.
The gender gap:
Male graduates earn $7,000, about 13% more than female graduates ten years out. The gap reflects industry mix, role choice, and structural pay differences that exist across most US colleges.
Loan Repayment Progression
Share of completer-cohort borrowers paying down at least $1 of principal at the 1-, 3-, 5-, and 7-year mark. Climbing rates show graduates settling into careers and managing debt; flat or declining rates are a warning.
Climbing: graduates increasingly paying down debt ↑
11.9 pts
across 6 years
What this signals:
Strong. 80% of graduates are actively reducing their debt seven years out.
Who Studies Here
Rockford University is home to 972 students, a small, close-knit community. Some distinctive traits: 42% are first-generation college students.
Total Enrolled
972
Part-Time
4%
First-Generation
42%
Race & Ethnicity Breakdown
Undergraduate student body composition reported to the US Department of Education.
GroupShareStudents
White 41.9%407
Hispanic 22.8%222
Black 17.7%172
International 7.7%75
Other 4.3%42
Asian 3.0%29
Student Life & Campus Culture
Where students live, learn, and connect at Rockford University. The campus setting, housing profile, and signals that shape day-to-day life here.
Setting
Midsize CityRockford, Illinois
Housing
Mostly residential411 beds on campus
Adult Learners
18%of students are 25 or older
Athletics
NCAAathletic-conference member
Academic Calendar
Semesterscheduling structure
What You Can Study
Rockford University offers
a varied set of programs:
29 distinct programs across
14 majors.
Below are its strongest majors, each with flagship programs and typical earnings.
Open a major to explore it in depth, or browse the full program catalog.
The student-to-faculty ratio at Rockford University is 10:1, low (small classes, more faculty contact).
Student : Faculty
10:1
Students per instructional faculty member
Endowment
$48M
Modest endowment
Avg Faculty Salary
$58,498
9-month equivalent across all ranks
Faculty by Rank
74 instructional faculty across 5 ranks.
The rank mix shows how many senior faculty are teaching versus contingent or junior staff, with average salary equated to a 9-month contract.
Rank
Faculty Count
Share
Avg Salary
Full Professors
14
19%
$59,312
Associate Professors
24
32%
$61,449
Assistant Professors
25
34%
$58,928
Instructors
3
4%
$49,500
Lecturers
8
11%
$50,252
Pros & Cons of Rockford University
A quick at-a-glance summary of how Rockford University tends to stack up for prospective students,weighing its data, size, setting, and cost profile together.
PROS
Accessible admissions for most applicants
Small classes (low student-faculty ratio)
Tight-knit, close community feel
Solid post-graduation earnings
Wide reach of need-based federal aid
First-gen-friendly student body
CONS
Above-average net price
Fewer clubs, activities, and social options
First-year retention is below typical
Best for:
Based on the data, Rockford University is a fit for
students who want a clear path to start college without a competitive admissions barrier; students who thrive in small, close-knit environments.
Frequently Asked Questions about Rockford University
Quick answers to the questions most students and parents ask. Every answer below is calculated from verified government data about Rockford University.
Is Rockford University hard to get into?
Rockford University has open or near-open admissions. Most qualified applicants are accepted. Acceptance rate: 92.9%.
What is the acceptance rate at Rockford University?
Rockford University has an acceptance rate of 92.9%, according to College Scorecard 2023-24 admissions data.
What SAT score do you need for Rockford University?
The middle 50% of admitted students at Rockford University scored between 850 and 1070 on the SAT (Reading + Math combined). Scores at the higher end of that range improve admissions odds materially. Per IPEDS 2023-24 data.
What ACT score do you need for Rockford University?
The middle 50% of admitted students at Rockford University scored between 17 and 23 on the ACT composite. Scores in the upper half of that range strengthen an application. Source: IPEDS 2023-24.
How much does Rockford University cost?
The average net price after aid at Rockford University is $22,436 per year, this is what students typically pay after grants and scholarships are applied. Net price data: College Scorecard 2023-24.
Is Rockford University worth it?
Moderate return on investment. Graduates earn a median of $54,794 ten years after entering, against an average net price of $22,436 per year. That's roughly 2.4x earnings-to-cost. Source: College Scorecard 2023-24.
What is Rockford University known for?
Rockford University is best known for its programs in Nursing, Education, Business Administration. These are the most popular fields by completed degrees, per IPEDS 2023-24 completion data.
What do Rockford University graduates earn?
Median earnings 10 years after entering Rockford University are $54,794, based on College Scorecard 2023-24 federal earnings data for Title IV recipients.
Is Rockford University accredited?
Yes. Rockford University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
How many students attend Rockford University?
Rockford University enrolls 972 students, per IPEDS 2023-24 fall enrollment data.
What is the graduation rate at Rockford University?
Rockford University graduates 59% of full-time students within six years, per IPEDS 2023-24 completion data.
Is Rockford University a public or private college?
Rockford University is a Private Nonprofit institution.
Where is Rockford University located?
Rockford University is located in Rockford, Illinois.
What programs does Rockford University offer?
Rockford University offers 29 distinct programs. The most popular include Nursing, Education, Business Administration.
What is the student-to-faculty ratio at Rockford University?
The student-to-faculty ratio at Rockford University is 10:1, per IPEDS 2023-24 data.
Related Colleges in Illinois
Other colleges in Illinois share the same applicant pool, regional economy, and academic landscape. Comparing nearby options puts admissions, costs, and outcomes in context, useful when weighing your fit against local alternatives.
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