Degree Dividend
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DeVry University-Illinois vs Black Hawk College: which has better ROI?

Private for-profit, Lisle IL · vs · Public, Moline IL

The verdict

Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but DeVry University-Illinois comes closer — median earnings $45,987 against a $123,080 total, vs $37,253 at Black Hawk College. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureDeVry University-IllinoisBlack Hawk College
Net price / yr$30,770$6,944
Total net cost$123,080$27,776
Median earnings, 10 yrs$45,987$37,253
Median debt$24,807$8,375
Payback
20-year net return-$170,540-$249,916

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

Which is cheaper, DeVry University-Illinois or Black Hawk College?

Black Hawk College, at $6,944 a year after aid versus $30,770 — a gap of $23,826 a year, or $95,304 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

Do DeVry University-Illinois or Black Hawk College graduates earn more?

DeVry University-Illinois graduates report a median $45,987 ten years after entry, $8,734 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, DeVry University-Illinois or Black Hawk College?

Black Hawk College: its completers carry a median $8,375 in federal loans versus $24,807 at DeVry University-Illinois, a difference of $16,432. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.

Which graduates more of its students?

40% of students finish at Black Hawk College, against 37% at DeVry University-Illinois. 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.

DeVry University-Illinois vs Black Hawk College: frequently asked questions

Is DeVry University-Illinois or Black Hawk College a better value?
DeVry University-Illinois 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, DeVry University-Illinois or Black Hawk College?
Black Hawk College: $6,944/yr net price after aid versus $30,770/yr at DeVry University-Illinois — a difference of $23,826 a year, or about $95,304 over four years.
Do DeVry University-Illinois or Black Hawk College graduates earn more?
DeVry University-Illinois graduates earn a median $45,987 ten years after entry, versus $37,253 at Black Hawk College — a $8,734 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.