Rock Valley College vs City Colleges of Chicago-Harold Washington College: which has better ROI?
Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Rock Valley College comes closer — median earnings $39,158 against a $10,484 total, vs $36,531 at City Colleges of Chicago-Harold Washington College. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Rock Valley College | City Colleges of Chicago-Harold Washington College |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $5,242 | $7,397 |
| Total net cost | $10,484 | $14,794 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $39,158 | $36,531 |
| Median debt | $8,500 | $5,750 |
| Payback | — | — |
| 20-year net return | -$194,524 | -$251,374 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Rock Valley College or City Colleges of Chicago-Harold Washington College?
Rock Valley College, at $5,242 a year after aid versus $7,397 — a gap of $2,155 a year, or $4,310 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 City Colleges of Chicago-Harold Washington College graduates earn more?
Rock Valley College graduates report a median $39,158 ten years after entry, $2,627 more than the $36,531 at City Colleges of Chicago-Harold Washington 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 City Colleges of Chicago-Harold Washington College?
City Colleges of Chicago-Harold Washington College: its completers carry a median $5,750 in federal loans versus $8,500 at Rock Valley College, a difference of $2,750. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
37% of students finish at Rock Valley College, against 26% at City Colleges of Chicago-Harold Washington 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.