Black Hawk College vs John Wood Community College: which has better ROI?
Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but John Wood Community College comes closer — median earnings $38,631 against a $14,100 total, vs $37,253 at Black Hawk College. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Black Hawk College | John Wood Community College |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $6,944 | $7,050 |
| Total net cost | $27,776 | $14,100 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $37,253 | $38,631 |
| Median debt | $8,375 | $8,029 |
| Payback | — | — |
| 20-year net return | -$249,916 | -$208,680 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Black Hawk College or John Wood Community College?
Black Hawk College, at $6,944 a year after aid versus $7,050 — a gap of $106 a year, or $13,676 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 John Wood Community College graduates earn more?
John Wood Community College graduates report a median $38,631 ten years after entry, $1,378 more than the $37,253 at Black Hawk College. 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 John Wood Community College?
John Wood Community College: its completers carry a median $8,029 in federal loans versus $8,375 at Black Hawk College, a difference of $346. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
49% of students finish at John Wood Community College, 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.