Rockford University vs Principia College
Rockford University and Principia College, two distinct institutions of higher learning, offer unique educational experiences to their students. Rockford University, located in Rockford, Illinois, is a private university with an acceptance rate of 80%, while Principia College, situated in Elsah, Illinois, is a private liberal arts college with a more selective acceptance rate of 65%. Both institutions offer a diverse range of undergraduate programs, with Rockford University excelling in fields like Business, Education, and Nursing, and Principia College specializing in the Humanities, Social Sciences, and Natural Sciences. While Rockford University boasts a larger student body, with a total enrollment of 1,300 students, Principia College maintains a smaller, close-knit community of approximately 600 students. With graduation rates of 55% and 75% respectively, both universities strive to equip their graduates with the knowledge and skills necessary for success in their chosen fields. To help you make an informed decision about your
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![]() Principia College |
![]() Rockford University |
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Overview |
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Location | Elsah, Illinois | Rockford, Illinois |
Campus setting | Rural: Fringe | City: Midsize |
College type | 4 year | 4 year |
Control/business model | Private (Non Profit) | Private (Non Profit) |
Calendar system | Semester | Semester |
Degrees offered | Undergraduate | Undergraduate and Graduate |
Students retention rate | 81.0% | 66.0% |
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Yes | Yes |
Religious affiliation | ||
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Admission |
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Acceptance rate | 84.1% | 66.8% |
Application fees | $50 | |
SAT range | 1028 - 1193 | 880 - 1120 |
ACT range | 21 - 28 | 18 - 23 |
Students submitting SAT score | 30.0% | 36.0% |
Students submitting ACT score | 13.0% | 10.0% |
Total number of applicants | 138 | 1,692 |
Total number of admissions given out | 116 | 1,130 |
Admitted students who chose to enroll | 79 | 202 |
Yield rate | 68.1% | 17.9% |
Test scores (SAT/ACT) | N/A | N/A |
High school GPA | Required | Required |
Recommendation letters | Not required | Not required |
High school transcript | Not required | Not required |
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL) | Not required | Required |
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Tuition and Fees |
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Sticker price | $42,820 | $46,850 |
Average net price | $19,816 | $23,305 |
Tuition | $29,970 | $33,750 |
Room & board |
Room/dormitory:
$5,810
Meal plan:
$6,460
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Room/dormitory:
$5,700
Meal plan:
$4,340
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Available payment plans |
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Financial Aid |
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Students receiving financial aid
(Grants & scholarships) |
94.0%
Average amount $25,174 |
98.0%
Average amount $20,566 |
Students receiving federal student loan |
0.0%
Average amount $0 |
72.0%
Average amount $5,871 |
Students taking out private loans |
94.0%
Average amount $2,016 |
13.0%
Average amount $6,297 |
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Students and Campus |
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Undergraduate students |
321
Men 53.0% Women 47.0% |
987
Men 44.1% Women 55.9% |
Graduate students | N/A |
244
Men 37.7% Women 62.3% |
Racial/ethnic diversity |
Low
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Moderate
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Out-of-state students | 92.7% | N/A |
International students | 24.3% | 8.1% |
Campus local/setting | Rural: Fringe | City: Midsize |
Dormitory capacity | 585 | 439 |
First year students are required to live on campus? | No | No |
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from | Missouri California Texas Illinois Ohio | N/A |
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Academics |
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Popular study areas |
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Students to faculty ratio | 5:1 | 10:1 |
Institutional accreditation | Higher Learning Commission | Higher Learning Commission |
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Outcome |
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Graduation rate | 85.9% | 31.7% |
Dropout rate | 14.1% | 68.3% |
Transferred out | N/A | N/A |
Alumni salary by major (Top 10) | N/A |
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees)
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Bachelor's Degrees)
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Bachelor's Degrees)
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods (Bachelor's Degrees)
Social Sciences, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services (Bachelor's Degrees)
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods (Master's Degrees)
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas (Bachelor's Degrees)
Biology, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
Psychology, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
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