Head-to-head · 2026
College of DuPage vs Rock Valley College
Compare average net price ($7,401 at College of DuPage; $5,242 at Rock Valley College), ROI score (15.85 vs 18.68), ten-year median earnings ($46,909 vs $39,158), and admissions context (Open / not reported at College of DuPage; Open / not reported at Rock Valley College) using federal College Scorecard data. Rock Valley College has a 4-1 metric-level edge. Rock Valley College leads on ROI, but the cost and earnings signals are split enough that this is not a one-metric decision.
Face to face
Metric-by-metric comparison
9 metrics, side by side. A colored cell marks a metric-level advantage. Green = lower-is-better, violet = higher-is-better.
| Metric | College of DuPage | Rock Valley College |
|---|---|---|
| ROI score | 15.85 | 18.68 ✓ |
| Avg net price | $7,401 | $5,242 ✓ |
| Median earnings (10y) | $46,909 ✓ | $39,158 |
| Acceptance rate | Open / not reported | Open / not reported |
| Graduation rate | 25.2% | 37.3% ✓ |
| Median debt | $10,410 | $8,500 ✓ |
| Enrollment | 16,114 | 4,359 |
| Ownership | Public | Public |
| Avg SAT | — | — |
| Metric advantages | 1 | 4 |
Value readout
Where each school has the edge
College of DuPage costs $2,159 more per year than Rock Valley College ($7,401 vs $5,242). College of DuPage graduates report $7,751 higher median earnings after ten years ($46,909 vs $39,158). On EduGradify's model that puts Rock Valley College ahead on projected ROI (18.68 vs 15.85, exceptional investment).
The more affordable option (Rock Valley College) also posts the better return, making it the lower-risk pick on cost alone. On admissions, neither school reports a standard acceptance rate in the current federal data, so this matchup should lean on price, outcomes and fit instead.
Frequently asked
College of DuPage vs Rock Valley College, answered
4 of the most common questions, with real numbers from federal data.
Is College of DuPage or Rock Valley College the better value?
Rock Valley College has the higher EduGradify ROI score (18.68 vs 15.85), meaning its ten-year earnings go further against its net price.
Which school costs less after aid?
Rock Valley College is cheaper — average net price $5,242 per year vs $7,401 at College of DuPage. The annual difference of $2,159 adds up to about $8,636 over four years.
Which school reports higher earnings?
College of DuPage reports higher median earnings ten years after entry: $46,909 vs $39,158 at Rock Valley College. The annual gap in the federal data is $7,751.
What should I compare beyond ROI?
Use the ROI score as a value screen, then compare aid letters, program fit, graduation rate, location, campus size, and debt. College of DuPage reports a A value grade; Rock Valley College reports A+.