5050 East State Street
Rockford, IL 61108

Rockford College is a liberal arts college in Rockford, Ill., The college enrolls over 1,200 students each year in more than 20 undergraduate majors and from more than 20 countries. Rockford takes pride in its liberal tradition, saying they educate activists, humanitarians, intellectuals and peacemakers by educating through critical thinking and embracing the ideals of citizenship.

Rockford College was founded as the Rockford Female seminary in 1844 and changed its name to Rockford College. It wasn't until 1955 that Rockford College began admitting male students, and to this day, the majority of students (over 65 percent) are women. The college moved from its original 8-acre campus to the current location in 1964. Over 320 students live on campus in one of 10 residence halls.

One of its most famous students, Jane Addams, the youngest daughter of Illinois Legislator John Addams, attended Rockford Female Seminary and was her class valedictorian in 1861. A suffragette, Addams fought for the Illinois' first child labor law, the first 8-hour workday for women and the first juvenile court. She won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1931.

In 1944, one of Rockford College's trustees established the Jane Addams Medal, which is awarded to extraordinary women who are pioneers in their fields and who also contribute to the arts, sciences and to society.

Students at Rockford College can choose from many academic programs, including biology, mathematics, psychology, political science, nursing, education, art and art history, performing arts and religious studies.

Quick Facts:

Among Rockford College's list of alumni is Jane Adams, winner of the 1931 Nobel Peace Prize. Adams received one of the first four bachelor's degree from what was then Rockford Female Seminary in 1882.

Rockford College offers small class sizes, with fewer than 20 students per teacher.

The Coleman Library is home to over 300,000 printed volumes and over 500 periodicals, as well as a number of online databases.

Rockford College participates in the NCAA Division III and offers a wide variety of sports including men's football, baseball and golf; women's softball and volleyball and women's and men's basketball, tennis and cross country/track. In addition to the athletic program, Rockford College also offers intramural sports in both recreational and competitive levels.

Rockford College is a charter member of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.

Fisher Memorial Chapel on the campus is known in the region as a lovely place to worship and many students and alumni have used it for their wedding vows.

This school profile has been compiled and updated by The CollegeBound Network. The school is not affiliated with The CollegeBound Network and shall not be considered a sponsor of this program.