At $6,718/yr net price, Black Hawk College graduates earn $37,253/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $3,253/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $6,718 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $26,872 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $37,253/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$3,253/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 8.3 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 43.2% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $8,375 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $4,377/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $5,142/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $8,048/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $10,147/yr |
| $110,001+ | $11,809/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Associate | $53,045 | $9,947 |
| 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 | $6,250 |
| Precision Metal Working. | Certificate | $13,702 |
The Risk Factor
43.2% of students at Black Hawk College graduate within 6 years. More than half of students finish, but the dropout rate is a real factor in whether this investment pays off.
Analysis
Black Hawk College gives you a low-cost entry point with a middling payoff. At $6,718 a year, you graduate with a median debt of about $8,375, which is manageable against the $37,253 median earnings ten years out. That earnings figure is soft, so the return depends heavily on what you study.
Nursing is where the money is. The associate degree in registered nursing pays $53,045, roughly $16,000 above the school-wide median, and allied health and medical assisting follows at $46,478. If you can get into and finish a health program here, the math works in your favor even with the slightly higher nursing debt near $9,947.
The other listed programs are a different story. Biological and physical sciences ($25,484) and health and medical administrative services ($25,194) both land well below the median earnings for the school. These associate degrees leave you earning less than the typical graduate, so treat them as transfer stepping stones toward a four-year degree, not endpoints.
The main financial risk is the 43.2% graduation rate. More than half of you won't finish on the expected timeline, and debt with no credential is the worst outcome here. Enroll only if you have a clear plan to complete.
Net price scales sharply with income. Under $30k, you pay $4,377. over $110k, you pay $11,809, nearly triple. Lower-income families get real relief here and should find this affordable. Higher-income families pay closer to full freight, though the total still stays modest for a two-year program.
This school fits you if you're targeting nursing or allied health, or using it as a cheap first two years before transferring. If you enroll in a general associate program with no transfer plan, the earnings data says you'll likely come out behind.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Black Hawk College worth the money?
Black Hawk College offers good value with a low net price of $6,718 per year and median debt of just $8,375. However, the 43% graduation rate means many students don't finish, which significantly impacts ROI for those who drop out.
What are the highest paying majors at Black Hawk College?
Registered nursing programs at Black Hawk College lead to median earnings of $53,045, making them the clear best investment. Allied health programs also perform well at $46,478, while most other programs result in below-average earnings around $25,000.
How much debt do Black Hawk College graduates have?
Black Hawk College graduates have relatively low debt with a median of $8,375. This manageable debt load helps improve ROI, especially for nursing and allied health graduates who earn higher salaries.
Do Black Hawk College graduates get good jobs after graduation?
Black Hawk College graduates earn a median of $37,253 ten years after enrollment, which is reasonable for a community college. Nursing and allied health graduates do significantly better, while other programs often lead to lower-paying jobs.