On August 12, 2025
In a recently released survey from USA Today and the research firm Statista, Rockford Career College was rated among the top 250 vocational schools in the United States.
The first-of-its-kind survey evaluated 1,800 schools nationwide, but only one in seven institutions — 14% — earned the distinction. Rockford Career College (RCC) was also one of only 13 post-secondary trade schools in Illinois, out of an estimated 96, chosen for the list.
Rockford Works For Your Future
RCC, founded in 1862 as a business school, is one of the nation’s oldest two-year career colleges and among the oldest colleges in Illinois. Its most popular programs train students for careers as paralegals, medical assistants, veterinary technicians, licensed practical nurses, welders, and heating, ventilation and air conditioning technicians.
“Vocational colleges are often overlooked, misunderstood and underappreciated,” said Stephen Tave, CEO and president of the American Higher Education Development Corporation, owner of RCC and other similar institutions of learning and headquartered in New Hope, Pennsylvania.
“But, as this survey demonstrates,” Tave said, “vocational colleges are important, increasingly so, especially in our current economic environment. Compared to traditional universities, they’re more affordable, require less time to earn a degree – usually two years or less — and offer highly specific, hands-on job training to kick-start a career.”
With skilled trades now facing severe labor shortages, the demand for graduates from vocational colleges to fill jobs in certain fields is growing. As older workers retire, a new generation of electricians, plumbers, machinists, mechanics, welders, nurses and personal care aides, along with those in construction and manufacturing, is more vitally needed than ever.
To view the full USA Today article and rankings, visit:
https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2025/07/21/top-vocational-schools-in-us-ranked-2025/84497925007/
