Degree Dividend
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Morton College vs Black Hawk College: which has better ROI?

Public, Cicero IL · vs · Public, Moline IL

The verdict

Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Morton College comes closer — median earnings $42,406 against a $10,382 total, vs $37,253 at Black Hawk College. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureMorton CollegeBlack Hawk College
Net price / yr$5,191$6,944
Total net cost$10,382$27,776
Median earnings, 10 yrs$42,406$37,253
Median debt$8,000$8,375
Payback
20-year net return-$129,462-$249,916

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

Which is cheaper, Morton College or Black Hawk College?

Morton College, at $5,191 a year after aid versus $6,944 — a gap of $1,753 a year, or $17,394 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

Do Morton College or Black Hawk College graduates earn more?

Morton College graduates report a median $42,406 ten years after entry, $5,153 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, Morton College or Black Hawk College?

Morton College: its completers carry a median $8,000 in federal loans versus $8,375 at Black Hawk College, a difference of $375. 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 31% at Morton 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.

Morton College vs Black Hawk College: frequently asked questions

Is Morton College or Black Hawk College a better value?
Morton 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, Morton College or Black Hawk College?
Morton College: $5,191/yr net price after aid versus $6,944/yr at Black Hawk College — a difference of $1,753 a year, or about $17,394 over four years.
Do Morton College or Black Hawk College graduates earn more?
Morton College graduates earn a median $42,406 ten years after entry, versus $37,253 at Black Hawk College — a $5,153 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.