WhatGradsMake
Certificate (1-2 years)+39% vs national median154 grads tracked

Construction Trades at Rock Valley College

Ranked 8th of 89 certificate (1-2 years) programs in Construction Trades by 5-year earnings.

Median · 1 year out
$90,582
middle 50%: $66,891 – $104,924
Median · 5 years out
$96,422
middle 50%: $72,156 – $119,554
Median · 10 years out
$100,117
middle 50%: $73,075 – $123,601

Salary trajectory

Median earnings vs the national median for Construction Trades (certificate (1-2 years)) graduates.

This program (median)National median, same major & degreeMiddle 50% of graduates

Graduates of Rock Valley College's certificate (1-2 years) program in Construction Trades earn a median $90,582 one year after graduating, rising to $100,117 by year ten. Five years out, earnings run 39% above the national median of $69,154 for this field, ranking 8th of 89 reporting programs.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau PSEO, release V4.13.0 2025Q4. Earnings are for graduates working in covered states; figures are medians in nominal dollars.

Will the degree pay for itself?

Drag the sliders — payback uses this program's actual salary curve.

Assumes a 6.5% APR loan and this program's median salary trajectory (interpolated between years 1, 5 and 10).

Paid off in
3.7 yrs
≈ $3,818 total interest

Same major at other universities

Other majors at Rock Valley College

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