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Black Hawk College vs First Institute of Travel Inc.: which has better ROI?

Public, Moline IL · vs · Private for-profit, Crystal Lake IL

The verdict

Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Black Hawk College comes closer — median earnings $37,253 against a $27,776 total, vs $36,196 at First Institute of Travel Inc.. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureBlack Hawk CollegeFirst Institute of Travel Inc.
Net price / yr$6,944$20,528
Total net cost$27,776$82,112
Median earnings, 10 yrs$37,253$36,196
Median debt$8,375$9,500
Payback
20-year net return-$249,916-$325,392

College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.

Which is cheaper, Black Hawk College or First Institute of Travel Inc.?

Black Hawk College, at $6,944 a year after aid versus $20,528 — a gap of $13,584 a year, or $54,336 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

Do Black Hawk College or First Institute of Travel Inc. graduates earn more?

Black Hawk College graduates report a median $37,253 ten years after entry, $1,057 more than the $36,196 at First Institute of Travel Inc.. Both are institution-wide medians from federal tax records, so a high-paying major at the lower school can beat the average at the higher one.

Which leaves students with less debt, Black Hawk College or First Institute of Travel Inc.?

Black Hawk College: its completers carry a median $8,375 in federal loans versus $9,500 at First Institute of Travel Inc., a difference of $1,125. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.

Which graduates more of its students?

72% of students finish at First Institute of Travel Inc., against 40% at Black Hawk College. Completion matters to the ROI arithmetic because a degree that is never finished still carries its cost and its debt, but earns none of the graduate premium above the $48,360 high-school baseline.

Black Hawk College vs First Institute of Travel Inc.: frequently asked questions

Is Black Hawk College or First Institute of Travel Inc. a better value?
Black Hawk College comes closer, but neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings — the field you study decides it here more than the school.
Which is cheaper, Black Hawk College or First Institute of Travel Inc.?
Black Hawk College: $6,944/yr net price after aid versus $20,528/yr at First Institute of Travel Inc. — a difference of $13,584 a year, or about $54,336 over four years.
Do Black Hawk College or First Institute of Travel Inc. graduates earn more?
Black Hawk College graduates earn a median $37,253 ten years after entry, versus $36,196 at First Institute of Travel Inc. — a $1,057 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.