Colleges Near Rockford, Illinois
Looking for information about the best colleges and universities serving Rockford? Here's your guide to the top schools offering degrees to students in the area, including institutions located within 40 miles of Rockford, Illinois.
There are at least 21 colleges serving the area, including 7 private colleges and universities, 2 public colleges and universities, and 8 community colleges offering 2-year degrees.
The Best Adult Colleges & Careers Guide provides a breakdown of the colleges serving Rockford, with details about cost, enrollment, student type and degree offerings. Click here to learn more about the guide.
Rockford, Illinois Colleges by the Numbers
Associate, bachelor's, masters, and doctoral degree completions at institutions near Rockford, Illinois have been declining over the past 5 years. In 2024, students completed 14,600 doctorates at colleges and universities near Rockford. That was a decrease of 7% from completions reported in 2020.
Schools with Degree Completions
Est. Total Completions in 2024
Est. Completions (Last 5 Years)
Sponsored
Top School For Adults & Online Students
Franklin University is a top choice for transfer students, online learners and adults who need to balance school with busy lives. Founded in 1902 in Columbus, Ohio, Franklin's main focus has been serving adult students and tailoring education to fit their needs. Nonprofit and accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (hlcommission.org/800.621.7440), Franklin offers more than 50 bachelor's, master's, and doctoral programs — all available 100% online.
Undergraduate Enrollment
5,111
Completions By Degree
2,605
Est. Online Degree Offerings
100%
Private Colleges & Universities Offering Degrees Near Rockford, Illinois
There are at least 7 schools offering degrees near Rockford, Illinois, and 7 are four-year private colleges or universities where about 9,123 undergraduate students were enrolled. In 2024, a total of 3,837 degrees were completed at private colleges and universities, including 2,723 that were offered online.
Avg. UG Tuition & Fees
School Type
Accredited
Non-Profit
Franklin offers more than 50 online bachelor's degrees, master's degrees and doctoral programs in the Rockford, Illinois area. Franklin University is an institutionally accredited nonprofit 4-year school where most students attend classes part-time. Most of the students are adults and all programs completed were offered online. Bachelor's degrees are the most popular at Franklin University. In 2024, 1,602 bachelor's degrees were completed. In addition, 98 associate degrees, 840 master's degrees, and 65 doctoral degrees were earned.
Undergraduate Enrollment
5,111
Completions By Degree
2,605
Est. Online Degree Availability
100%
Avg. UG Tuition & Fees
School Type
Accredited
Non-Profit
Saint Anthony College of Nursing is an institutionally accredited nonprofit 4-year school where most students attend classes full-time. Most of the students are a mixture of traditional and adult aged and all programs completed were offered online. Bachelor's degrees are the most popular at Saint Anthony College of Nursing. In 2024, 45 bachelor's degrees were completed. In addition, 0 associate degrees, 4 master's degrees, and 10 doctoral degrees were earned.
Undergraduate Enrollment
152
Completions By Degree
59
Est. Online Degree Availability
100%
Avg. UG Tuition & Fees
School Type
Accredited
Non-Profit
Beloit College is an institutionally accredited nonprofit 4-year school where most students attend classes full-time. Most of the students are of traditional age and no programs completed were offered online. Bachelor's degrees are the most popular at Beloit College. In 2024, 237 bachelor's degrees were completed. In addition, 0 associate degrees, 0 master's degrees, and 0 doctoral degrees were earned.
Undergraduate Enrollment
898
Completions By Degree
237
Est. Online Degree Availability
0%
Avg. UG Tuition & Fees
School Type
Accredited
Non-Profit
Beloit College is an institutionally accredited nonprofit 4-year school where most students attend classes full-time. Most of the students are of traditional age and no programs completed were offered online. Bachelor's degrees are the most popular at Beloit College. In 2024, 237 bachelor's degrees were completed. In addition, 0 associate degrees, 0 master's degrees, and 0 doctoral degrees were earned.
Undergraduate Enrollment
898
Completions By Degree
237
Est. Online Degree Availability
0%
Avg. UG Tuition & Fees
School Type
Accredited
Non-Profit
Rockford University is an institutionally accredited nonprofit 4-year school where most students attend classes full-time. Most of the students are of traditional age and no programs completed were offered online. Bachelor's degrees are the most popular at Rockford University. In 2024, 229 bachelor's degrees were completed. In addition, 0 associate degrees, 91 master's degrees, and 0 doctoral degrees were earned.
Undergraduate Enrollment
956
Completions By Degree
320
Est. Online Degree Availability
0%
Avg. UG Tuition & Fees
School Type
Accredited
Non-Profit
Rockford University is an institutionally accredited nonprofit 4-year school where most students attend classes full-time. Most of the students are of traditional age and no programs completed were offered online. Bachelor's degrees are the most popular at Rockford University. In 2024, 229 bachelor's degrees were completed. In addition, 0 associate degrees, 91 master's degrees, and 0 doctoral degrees were earned.
Undergraduate Enrollment
956
Completions By Degree
320
Est. Online Degree Availability
0%
Avg. UG Tuition & Fees
School Type
Accredited
Non-Profit
Saint Anthony College of Nursing is an institutionally accredited nonprofit 4-year school where most students attend classes full-time. Most of the students are a mixture of traditional and adult aged and all programs completed were offered online. Bachelor's degrees are the most popular at Saint Anthony College of Nursing. In 2024, 45 bachelor's degrees were completed. In addition, 0 associate degrees, 4 master's degrees, and 10 doctoral degrees were earned.
Undergraduate Enrollment
152
Completions By Degree
59
Est. Online Degree Availability
100%
Public Colleges & Universities Near Rockford, Illinois
There are 2 four-year public colleges located near Rockford, Illinois. About 22,554 students were enrolled in undergraduate programs, and about 8,062 degrees were completed at public colleges near Rockford. Tuition shown reflects in-state rates.
Avg. UG Tuition & Fees
School Type
Accredited
Non-Profit
Northern Illinois University is an institutionally accredited public 4-year school where most students attend classes full-time. Most of the students are of traditional age and minimal programs completed were offered online. Bachelor's degrees are the most popular at Northern Illinois University. In 2024, 2,475 bachelor's degrees were completed. In addition, 0 associate degrees, 1,295 master's degrees, and 261 doctoral degrees were earned.
Undergraduate Enrollment
11,277
Completions By Degree
4,031
Est. Online Degree Availability
29%
Avg. UG Tuition & Fees
School Type
Accredited
Non-Profit
Northern Illinois University is an institutionally accredited public 4-year school where most students attend classes full-time. Most of the students are of traditional age and minimal programs completed were offered online. Bachelor's degrees are the most popular at Northern Illinois University. In 2024, 2,475 bachelor's degrees were completed. In addition, 0 associate degrees, 1,295 master's degrees, and 261 doctoral degrees were earned.
Undergraduate Enrollment
11,277
Completions By Degree
4,031
Est. Online Degree Availability
29%
Community Colleges Near Rockford, Illinois
There are 8 community colleges near Rockford, Illinois where students can earn 2-year associate degrees. In 2024, about 19,078 students were enrolled in undergraduate courses at community colleges near Rockford, and about 3,464 associate degrees were completed.
Avg. UG Tuition & Fees
School Type
Accredited
Non-Profit
Kishwaukee College is an institutionally accredited 2-year school where most students attend classes full-time. Most of the students are of traditional age and no programs completed were offered online.
Undergraduate Enrollment
1,794
Completions By Degree
340
Est. Online Degree Availability
0%
Avg. UG Tuition & Fees
School Type
Accredited
Non-Profit
Blackhawk Technical College is an institutionally accredited 2-year school where most students attend classes part-time. Most of the students are a mixture of traditional and adult aged and no programs completed were offered online.
Undergraduate Enrollment
2,457
Completions By Degree
274
Est. Online Degree Availability
0%
Avg. UG Tuition & Fees
School Type
Accredited
Non-Profit
Rock Valley College is an institutionally accredited 2-year school where most students attend classes part-time. Most of the students are of traditional age and no programs completed were offered online.
Undergraduate Enrollment
4,362
Completions By Degree
926
Est. Online Degree Availability
0%
Avg. UG Tuition & Fees
School Type
Accredited
Non-Profit
Highland Community College is an institutionally accredited 2-year school where most students attend classes full-time. Most of the students are of traditional age and some programs completed were offered online.
Undergraduate Enrollment
926
Completions By Degree
192
Est. Online Degree Availability
48%
Avg. UG Tuition & Fees
School Type
Accredited
Non-Profit
Rock Valley College is an institutionally accredited 2-year school where most students attend classes part-time. Most of the students are of traditional age and no programs completed were offered online.
Undergraduate Enrollment
4,362
Completions By Degree
926
Est. Online Degree Availability
0%
Avg. UG Tuition & Fees
School Type
Accredited
Non-Profit
Kishwaukee College is an institutionally accredited 2-year school where most students attend classes full-time. Most of the students are of traditional age and no programs completed were offered online.
Undergraduate Enrollment
1,794
Completions By Degree
340
Est. Online Degree Availability
0%
Avg. UG Tuition & Fees
School Type
Accredited
Non-Profit
Blackhawk Technical College is an institutionally accredited 2-year school where most students attend classes part-time. Most of the students are a mixture of traditional and adult aged and no programs completed were offered online.
Undergraduate Enrollment
2,457
Completions By Degree
274
Est. Online Degree Availability
0%
Avg. UG Tuition & Fees
School Type
Accredited
Non-Profit
Highland Community College is an institutionally accredited 2-year school where most students attend classes full-time. Most of the students are of traditional age and some programs completed were offered online.
Undergraduate Enrollment
926
Completions By Degree
192
Est. Online Degree Availability
48%
2-Year Private For-Profit Schools Near Rockford, Illinois
There are at least 4 two-year private for-profit schools offering associate degrees near Rockford, Illinois. According to 2024 data from Lightcast™, in 2024, a total of 1,842 associate degrees were completed at those institutions. Tuition shown reflects in-state rates.
Avg. UG Tuition & Fees
School Type
Accredited
Non-Profit
Stautzenberger College-Rockford Career College is an institutionally accredited 2-year school where most students attend classes full-time. Most of the students are a mixture of traditional and adult aged and minimal programs completed were offered online. Associate degrees are the most popular at Stautzenberger College-Rockford Career College. In 2024, 93 associate degrees were completed. In addition, 0 bachelor's degrees, 0 master's degrees, and 0 doctoral degrees were earned.
Undergraduate Enrollment
733
Completions By Degree
93
Est. Online Degree Availability
25%
Avg. UG Tuition & Fees
School Type
Accredited
Non-Profit
Rasmussen University-Illinois is an institutionally accredited 2-year school where most students attend classes part-time. Most of the students are adults and no programs completed were offered online. Associate degrees are the most popular at Rasmussen University-Illinois. In 2024, 828 associate degrees were completed. In addition, 0 bachelor's degrees, 0 master's degrees, and 0 doctoral degrees were earned.
Undergraduate Enrollment
1,330
Completions By Degree
828
Est. Online Degree Availability
0%
Avg. UG Tuition & Fees
School Type
Accredited
Non-Profit
Rasmussen University-Illinois is an institutionally accredited 2-year school where most students attend classes part-time. Most of the students are adults and no programs completed were offered online. Associate degrees are the most popular at Rasmussen University-Illinois. In 2024, 828 associate degrees were completed. In addition, 0 bachelor's degrees, 0 master's degrees, and 0 doctoral degrees were earned.
Undergraduate Enrollment
1,330
Completions By Degree
828
Est. Online Degree Availability
0%
Avg. UG Tuition & Fees
School Type
Accredited
Non-Profit
Stautzenberger College-Rockford Career College is an institutionally accredited 2-year school where most students attend classes full-time. Most of the students are a mixture of traditional and adult aged and minimal programs completed were offered online. Associate degrees are the most popular at Stautzenberger College-Rockford Career College. In 2024, 93 associate degrees were completed. In addition, 0 bachelor's degrees, 0 master's degrees, and 0 doctoral degrees were earned.
Undergraduate Enrollment
733
Completions By Degree
93
Est. Online Degree Availability
25%
Affordable Colleges Near Rockford, Illinois
Wondering what you can expect to pay for a degree near Rockford, Illinois? According to undergraduate tuition data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, the average tuition at Rockford-area's 4-year nonprofit schools is $36,615. The average tuition at similar 4-year for-profit schools near Rockford is N/A, while tuition at 2-year online colleges and universities is N/A.
4-Year Nonprofit
4-Year For-Profit
2-Year
Accredited Colleges Serving Rockford, Illinois
Earning a college degree is an investment — and earning a degree from an institutionally accredited university is one of the best ways to ensure your education is of high quality. Institutionally accredited universities are held to rigorous standards by state and regional bodies and undergo regular reviews to verify that their processes and academic programs meet the proper standards.
Wondering if a certain college or university offering degree programs in Rockford, Illinois is institutionally accredited? View a list of institutionally accredited colleges and universities serving Rockford, Illinois here. We've made it easy to find your school by breaking down the list by school type.
- Franklin University
- Rockford University
- Saint Anthony College of Nursing
- Rockford University
- Beloit College
- Saint Anthony College of Nursing
- Beloit College
- Kishwaukee College
- Blackhawk Technical College
- Rock Valley College
- Highland Community College
- Rock Valley College
- Kishwaukee College
- Blackhawk Technical College
- Highland Community College
Rockford, Illinois Job Market & Opportunities
What happens after you earn your college degree in Rockford? What's the Rockford, Illinois job market outlook? Get a snapshot of jobs and careers, including annual job openings, median earnings and more.
In 2024, there were about 332,579 jobs in the Rockford, Illinois area. From 2023-2024, job growth in Rockford was below the national average, at 1.2%. There were 41,211 job openings in the area. In terms of earnings, workers in Rockford do better than the national average, with an average hourly pay of $21.95.