Rockford University is a private, independent, coeducational college providing courses of study leading to baccalaureate and master’s degrees. The academic programs of students are based on a foundation of learning in the liberal arts and sciences. The University emphasizes excellence in teaching, and has a strong commitment to scholarly activity, creative expression and community service. The educational program is characterized by a concern for the needs of all students, and reflects the basic human rights and responsibilities of a democratic society.  Rockford University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC). Accreditation is periodically reviewed and is renewed annually.

 

Other memberships include:
•  Association of American Colleges, the Federation of Independent Illinois Colleges & Universities
•  College Entrance Examination Board
•  College Scholarship Service
•  American Council on Education
•  Council of Independent Colleges
•  Online Learning Consortium

 

The Rockford University nursing program is accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing, Inc (ACEN), the teacher certification program (Education and Child Development) by the Illinois State Board of Education, and the business administration program by the International Assembly for Collegiate Business Education.  Accredited and Approved Programs

Rockford University is accredited by the following organizations:

Rockford University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (hlcommission.org), an institutional accreditation agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. The Higher Learning Commission 230 South LaSalle St., Suite 7-500 Chicago, IL, 60604-1413 P.800-621-7440 https://www.hlcommission.org		Rockford University has been approved to participate in the National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements. Teaching Licensure State Requirements Nursing Licensure State Requirements
Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing, Inc. 3343 Peachtree Road NE, Suite 1400 Atlanta, Georgia  30326 P.(404) 975 5000 | F. (404) 975-5020 www.acenursing.org		Illinois State Board of Education   Professional Preparation and Recruitment 100 N. First St. Springfield, IL 62777 P.217-782-4321 www.isbe.net
American Chemical Society 1155 Sixteenth St. NW Washington, DC 20036 P.800-227-5558 www.acs.org		International Assembly for Collegiate Business Education P.O. Box 3960 Olathe, KS 66063 P.913-631-3009 www.iacbe.org

Rockford University has garnered numerous distinctions in recent years, making it an institution that stands out. Among the most notable:

Academic Excellence. One of 11 colleges and universities in Illinois and 290 in the country with a chapter of Phi Beta Kappa, the oldest and most prestigious liberal arts academic honor society.

Community Engagement. Rockford University joins just 361 other colleges and universities from across the nation, and one of only 11 in Illinois, to receive the 2015 Community Engagement Classification from The Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching. The classification is valid through 2025.

College with a Conscience. One of 81 U.S. colleges and universities in the Princeton Review book, Colleges with a Conscience, Rockford University was recognized for our strong ethos of civic engagement and the opportunities for community service offered to our students.

Access through Economic Diversity. Ranked by the 2020 U.S. News and World Report as an Economically Diverse Regional University, underscoring our long-standing and successful effort to promote access for qualified students to excellent higher education, irrespective of the financial means of those students and their families.

Student Engagement and Satisfaction. Shown by the 2014 National Survey of Student Engagement as performing at or above U.S. norms on virtually all measures of student engagement.

Best in the Midwest. Regularly recognized as a best Midwestern university by national ranking websites, including:

U.S. News & World Report: Named as a 2020 Best Regional University.

The Princeton Review: Consistently ranked as one of the Best Midwestern Colleges based on student opinion data and The Princeton Review’s standards for academic excellence within each region.

College Consensus: Named one of the 2020 Best Regional Universities based on results from the most reputable college ranking publishers and student reviews.

Advocate for Social Mobility. Named by the 2020 U.S. News & World Report as a Top Performer on Social Mobility for successfully advancing social mobility by enrolling and graduating large proportions of disadvantaged students that receive Pell Grants.

Emphasis on Community Service. Named consecutively since 2008 to the President’s Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll based on innovative and effective community service and service learning programs.