Rock Valley College vs Blackburn College: which has better ROI?
Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Blackburn College comes closer — median earnings $46,802 against a $73,840 total, vs $39,158 at Rock Valley College. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Rock Valley College | Blackburn College |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $5,242 | $18,460 |
| Total net cost | $10,484 | $73,840 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $39,158 | $46,802 |
| Median debt | $8,500 | $24,242 |
| Payback | — | — |
| 20-year net return | -$194,524 | -$105,000 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Rock Valley College or Blackburn College?
Rock Valley College, at $5,242 a year after aid versus $18,460 — a gap of $13,218 a year, or $63,356 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do Rock Valley College or Blackburn College graduates earn more?
Blackburn College graduates report a median $46,802 ten years after entry, $7,644 more than the $39,158 at Rock Valley College. Both are institution-wide medians from federal tax records, so a high-paying major at the lower school can beat the average at the higher one.
Which leaves students with less debt, Rock Valley College or Blackburn College?
Rock Valley College: its completers carry a median $8,500 in federal loans versus $24,242 at Blackburn College, a difference of $15,742. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
57% of students finish at Blackburn College, against 37% at Rock Valley College. Completion matters to the ROI arithmetic because a degree that is never finished still carries its cost and its debt, but earns none of the graduate premium above the $48,360 high-school baseline.