Black Hawk College vs South Suburban College: which has better ROI?
Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Black Hawk College comes closer — median earnings $37,253 against a $27,776 total, vs $33,680 at South Suburban College. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Black Hawk College | South Suburban College |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $6,944 | $3,242 |
| Total net cost | $27,776 | $12,968 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $37,253 | $33,680 |
| Median debt | $8,375 | — |
| Payback | — | — |
| 20-year net return | -$249,916 | -$306,568 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Black Hawk College or South Suburban College?
South Suburban College, at $3,242 a year after aid versus $6,944 — a gap of $3,702 a year, or $14,808 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 South Suburban College graduates earn more?
Black Hawk College graduates report a median $37,253 ten years after entry, $3,573 more than the $33,680 at South Suburban 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 graduates more of its students?
40% of students finish at Black Hawk College, against 28% at South Suburban 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.