Rockford Career College history

1869 – RBC is bought by Atkinson, Reed & Co. and the college moves to 118-120 S. Main St Main courses are English, shorthand, typewriting and penmanship.

1874 – After three ownership changes, including F.E. Arnold, ownership reverts to the original founders, and the college moves to 316 E. State St The population of Rockford is now more than 11,000.

1881 – The college again changes hands, being turned over to Winans and Johnson.

1892 – RBC becomes part of the Brown’s Business College group of schools.

1934 – Growth in the city comes to a halt during the Great Depression.

1942 – The nation is at war, and the college does its part by offering $25 war bonds to women who successfully complete their degree in Secretarial Science, Medical Secretarial Science, Accounting, or Business Administration.

1969 – The college is purchased by Frank Flick Education Centers, and shortly thereafter is renamed Rockford Business College.

1981 – The college receives approval from the state to offer associate degrees in the fields of Secretarial Science, Accounting, Business Administration, Medical Secretarial Science, and Tourism.

1987 – RBC moves to 730 N. Church St Eventually, the college is purchased by its director, David Swank and his wife, Susan.

1990’s – The Swank Educational Corp. obtains accreditation from the Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools (ACICS), giving its programs and courses extra value.

In 2003, the college was acquired by the American Higher Education Development Group.

2004 – Rockford Career College became part of the American Higher Education Development Corp. family of schools