Black Hawk College: $4,920 Tuition

$4,920Tuition

2,266Students

43%Grad Rate (6-yr)

$37,253Earnings

Public2-yearNCCAAData: 2023-24

About Black Hawk College

Black Hawk College has served the Quad Cities region since 1946, building a reputation for hands-on career training that connects directly to local industry needs. The college enrolls 2,266 students across its programs, with a focus on preparing graduates for immediate employment in manufacturing, healthcare, and skilled trades. Nearly 93% of students come from Illinois, reflecting the school's deep community roots.

Students pay an average net price of $6,718 after financial aid, making this one of the more affordable pathways to career training in the region. Graduates earn a median of $37,253 ten years after starting, while carrying manageable debt loads averaging $8,375. Monthly loan payments of just $89 make repayment realistic for most graduates. The employment rate of 95.1% demonstrates strong job placement success.

Women make up 62.6% of the student body, reflecting enrollment patterns common in community college health and service programs. The college fields eight varsity sports with 145 total athletes competing as the Braves. With a 17:1 student-faculty ratio, classes stay small enough for individualized attention. The 43.2% six-year graduation rate aligns with national community college averages, though many students transfer or enter the workforce before completing degrees.

Academics & Faculty

Black Hawk College focuses on career-ready programs that directly connect students to jobs in the Quad Cities region. The 17:1 student-faculty ratio means instructors can provide hands-on guidance in technical fields like manufacturing, healthcare, and automotive technology. With a 43% six-year graduation rate, the college serves many working adults and part-time students who balance education with employment. The school's strongest programs include nursing, welding, and business administration. Students benefit from partnerships with local employers like John Deere and Genesis Health System. Most graduates enter the workforce immediately, with a 95% employment rate reflecting the college's job-focused approach to education.

Source: College Scorecard / U.S. Department of Education

Student-to-Faculty Ratio: 17:1
Full-Time Faculty: 50.8%
Graduation Rate (6-year): 43.2%
Median Earnings (10 years): $37,253

Popular Programs by Earnings

Popular programs by earnings
Program	Level	Median Earnings
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing.	Associate	$53,045
Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services.	Associate	$46,478
Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants.	Certificate	$33,281
Biological and Physical Sciences.	Associate	$25,484
Health and Medical Administrative Services.	Associate	$25,194
Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services.	Certificate	$20,824
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities.	Associate	$20,444
Precision Metal Working.	Certificate	$13,702

View all 58 programs →

Campus Life

Black Hawk College sits in Moline, part of the Quad Cities region along the Mississippi River. The campus is about 165 miles west of Chicago, putting students in a mid-sized metropolitan area with 380,000 residents. Winters here mean heavy coats and snow boots, with temperatures regularly dropping below freezing from December through February.

As a community college, Black Hawk has no residence halls, so all 2,266 students commute from home or nearby apartments. Women make up 62.62% of the student body, and 92.90% of students come from Illinois. The 17:1 student-faculty ratio means smaller class sizes than typical universities. Most students juggle work with their studies, reflected in the strong 95.1% employment rate after graduation.

Campus life centers around academics and career preparation rather than traditional college social activities. The Braves compete in 8 varsity sports with 145 total athletes, though athletics play a smaller role here than at four-year schools. Weekend activities often involve exploring the Quad Cities area or working part-time jobs to help pay the affordable $4,920 in-state tuition.

Setting: City-Small
Calendar System: Semester
Founded: 1946

Campus Safety (2023)

No reported Clery Act crimes in 2023.

Climate & Weather

January Avg: 14°–31°F
July Avg: 65°–85°F
Annual Precipitation: 38.0"
Annual Snowfall: 31.6"

Student Demographics

Women make up nearly two-thirds of the student body at Black Hawk College, reflecting the school's strong nursing and healthcare programs. The 2,266 students come overwhelmingly from Illinois, with the college serving as an educational anchor for the Quad Cities region. About a quarter of students receive Pell Grants, indicating the school fulfills its community college mission of providing accessible education to working-class families. The diverse student population mirrors the demographics of the Mississippi River valley, with significant Hispanic and Black representation alongside the white majority.

Men: 37.4%
Women: 62.6%
White: 59.1%
Black: 12.5%
Hispanic: 17.0%
Asian: 3.0%
In-State Students: 92.9%
Pell Grant Recipients: 24.8%

Location

Black Hawk College sits in Moline, Illinois, part of the Quad Cities metropolitan area along the Mississippi River. The campus serves a region of approximately 380,000 people spanning Illinois and Iowa. Moline lies 165 miles west of Chicago and connects directly to Davenport, Iowa, across the river. The Quad Cities area built its identity around manufacturing, particularly John Deere's world headquarters in Moline. With 92.90% of students coming from in-state, the college draws heavily from this industrial river corridor. The Mississippi provides recreational opportunities while maintaining an affordable cost of living. Students considering colleges in Illinois may also compare Black Hawk College with similar schools in the region.

Address: Moline, Illinois 61265-5899

After College

Source: College Scorecard / U.S. Department of Education

Median Earnings (10 years): $37,253
Median Earnings (5 years): $41,233
Mean Earnings (6 years after entry): $27,000
Loan Repayment Rate: 49.2%
Monthly Loan Payment: $89/mo
Median Debt at Graduation: $8,375

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the admission requirements at Black Hawk College?

Black Hawk College maintains an open admission policy typical of community colleges, accepting students with a high school diploma or equivalent. The school enrolls 2,266 students with a student-faculty ratio of 17:1. This accessible approach serves the Quad Cities area by providing educational opportunities for students seeking career training or transfer preparation.

How much does Black Hawk College cost after financial aid?

Students pay an average net price of $6,718 annually, though costs vary by family income. Low-income families earning under $30,000 pay just $4,377 after aid, while those earning over $110,000 pay $11,809. Only 24.78% of students receive Pell Grants, reflecting the college's role serving working-class families in the region.

What programs is Black Hawk College known for?

The college focuses on career-oriented programs that prepare students for immediate employment in the Quad Cities region. With a 95.1% employment rate, graduates find work quickly after completing their studies. The school's practical approach emphasizes hands-on training that meets local workforce needs.

What do graduates of Black Hawk College typically earn?

Alumni earn a median salary of $37,253 ten years after graduation, with recent graduates starting around $38,933 in their first year. The college's career-focused programs help students enter stable employment with manageable debt loads averaging $8,375. Monthly loan payments average just $89, making education costs reasonable for most graduates.

Where is Black Hawk College located and what is campus life like?

The college sits in Moline, Illinois, serving the broader Quad Cities metropolitan area along the Mississippi River. With 145 student athletes competing in 8 varsity sports as the Braves, the campus offers limited but active athletic programs. The student body of 2,266 is predominantly female at 62.62% and draws 92.90% of its students from Illinois.

Does Black Hawk College have a good graduation rate?

The college reports a 43.20% six-year graduation rate, which reflects the reality that many community college students attend part-time or transfer before completing degrees. Founded in 1946, the institution has long served students who often balance work and family responsibilities alongside their studies. The completion rate aligns with national community college averages for similar student populations.