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Black Hawk College vs Midwestern Career College: which has better ROI?

Public, Moline IL · vs · Private for-profit, Chicago 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 $36,432 at Midwestern Career College. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureBlack Hawk CollegeMidwestern Career College
Net price / yr$6,944$20,462
Total net cost$27,776$40,924
Median earnings, 10 yrs$37,253$36,432
Median debt$8,375$7,521
Payback
20-year net return-$249,916-$279,484

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

Which is cheaper, Black Hawk College or Midwestern Career College?

Black Hawk College, at $6,944 a year after aid versus $20,462 — a gap of $13,518 a year, or $13,148 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 Midwestern Career College graduates earn more?

Black Hawk College graduates report a median $37,253 ten years after entry, $821 more than the $36,432 at Midwestern Career 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 Midwestern Career College?

Midwestern Career College: its completers carry a median $7,521 in federal loans versus $8,375 at Black Hawk College, a difference of $854. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.

Which graduates more of its students?

54% of students finish at Midwestern Career 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.

Black Hawk College vs Midwestern Career College: frequently asked questions

Is Black Hawk College or Midwestern Career College 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 Midwestern Career College?
Black Hawk College: $6,944/yr net price after aid versus $20,462/yr at Midwestern Career College — a difference of $13,518 a year, or about $13,148 over four years.
Do Black Hawk College or Midwestern Career College graduates earn more?
Black Hawk College graduates earn a median $37,253 ten years after entry, versus $36,432 at Midwestern Career College — a $821 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.