Degree Dividend
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Moraine Valley Community College vs Black Hawk College: which has better ROI?

Public, Palos Hills IL · vs · Public, Moline IL

The verdict

Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Moraine Valley Community College comes closer — median earnings $43,892 against a $11,316 total, vs $37,253 at Black Hawk College. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureMoraine Valley Community CollegeBlack Hawk College
Net price / yr$2,829$6,944
Total net cost$11,316$27,776
Median earnings, 10 yrs$43,892$37,253
Median debt$9,500$8,375
Payback
20-year net return-$100,676-$249,916

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

Which is cheaper, Moraine Valley Community College or Black Hawk College?

Moraine Valley Community College, at $2,829 a year after aid versus $6,944 — a gap of $4,115 a year, or $16,460 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

Do Moraine Valley Community College or Black Hawk College graduates earn more?

Moraine Valley Community College graduates report a median $43,892 ten years after entry, $6,639 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, Moraine Valley Community College or Black Hawk College?

Black Hawk College: its completers carry a median $8,375 in federal loans versus $9,500 at Moraine Valley Community College, 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?

40% of students finish at Moraine Valley 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.

Moraine Valley Community College vs Black Hawk College: frequently asked questions

Is Moraine Valley Community College or Black Hawk College a better value?
Moraine Valley Community 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, Moraine Valley Community College or Black Hawk College?
Moraine Valley Community College: $2,829/yr net price after aid versus $6,944/yr at Black Hawk College — a difference of $4,115 a year, or about $16,460 over four years.
Do Moraine Valley Community College or Black Hawk College graduates earn more?
Moraine Valley Community College graduates earn a median $43,892 ten years after entry, versus $37,253 at Black Hawk College — a $6,639 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.