Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services at Black Hawk College

Black Hawk College's Allied Health and Medical Assisting program lands right in the middle of Illinois options—at $39,761, graduates earn slightly less than the state median of $40,034 and rank in the 40th percentile statewide. That's noteworthy because Illinois students have access to several stronger alternatives nearby. Oakton College graduates earn $52,161, nearly $12,400 more annually, while both South Suburban and Elgin Community College produce earnings above $46,000. The debt burden here is manageable at $16,232, translating to a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.41, which means graduates could theoretically pay off loans in about five months of gross earnings.

The program performs better against national competition than state competition—63rd percentile nationally versus 40th in Illinois. This suggests Illinois generally has stronger allied health programs than many other states, making in-state comparison particularly relevant for families. For a parent weighing options, the question becomes whether proximity or cost considerations justify choosing Black Hawk over demonstrably higher-earning programs elsewhere in Illinois. The $12,400 annual earnings gap with Oakton, for instance, compounds to over $120,000 across a decade.

The moderate sample size provides reasonable confidence in these numbers. For families prioritizing staying local to the Moline area, this program delivers an acceptable outcome with limited debt. But for those willing to consider other Illinois community colleges, the data clearly shows better returns are available.