Higher Education in the Rockford Area
Access to quality higher education is among the Rockford area’s prime assets. 45 institutions of higher learning lie within a 75-mile radius, and Rockford itself is home to a community college, a liberal arts college, a branch facility of a major university and a medical college. Other colleges, universities and technical schools are within easy commuting distance.
The Higher Education Alliance for the Rock River Region, an alliance of four area institutions, exists to build economic vitality, a skilled workforce, and a rich cultural life for this dynamic region.
Rock Valley College is a two-year community college serving Winnebago and Boone counties and portions of Stephenson, Ogle, McHenry, and DeKalb counties. More than 13,000 students are enrolled in the college’s degree and continuing education programs.
Through its Technology Center, Rock Valley College works closely with area manufacturers to provide tailored training courses that benefit workers. The center also provides management seminars, computer workshops, and a variety of other programs.
Rockford College is a fully accredited, private, independent, coeducational institution located on Rockford’s east side. The college awards bachelor degrees in 31 majors in arts, science, and nursing. In addition, it offers graduate programs in education and business administration.
NIU (Northern Illinois University) - Rockford, built in 1995, also serves the education and training needs of the Rockford-area community. It offers courses in business, education, engineering and engineering technology, health and human sciences, and liberal arts and sciences.
Recently Rock Valley College and NIU-Rockford have formed a cooperative bachelor’s completion program, offering classes in the evening at either RVC or NIU-Rockford. Programs offered through this partnership include Nursing, General Studies, Computer Science, Industrial Technology, Child Development, Community Health, and Elementary Education. The center’s staff is dedicated both to students attending NIU classes and business clientele who rent meeting rooms for training sessions and conferences.
The University of Illinois College of Medicine at Rockford, founded in 1971, provides education to second, third and fourth year medical students. The college offers training in primary care, family practice, internal medicine, pediatrics and other medical specialties. It is affiliated with the three Rockford hospitals, and also provides medical care to the general public.