San Diego State vs. Black Hawk College

Comparable Facts

Compare San Diego State University in San Diego, CA with Black Hawk College in Moline, IL on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

San Diego State University is larger than Black Hawk College based on total student enrollment (41,137 students vs. 4,001 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• San Diego State University is located in San Diego, CA (Large City setting); Black Hawk College is in Moline, IL (Small City setting).
• San Diego State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Black Hawk College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: San Diego State University 27:1; Black Hawk College 18:1.

San Diego State vs. Black Hawk College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, San Diego State or Black Hawk College? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Black Hawk College than San Diego State ($5,069 vs. $14,704).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Black Hawk College are 66.1% lower than at San Diego State University ($7,796 vs. $23,030).
• San Diego State University is 9.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than Black Hawk College (about $778 more per year; $8,728.00 vs. $7,950.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 163.3% higher at San Diego State than at Black Hawk College (about $13,228 more per year; $21,328.00 vs. $8,100.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Black Hawk College than at San Diego State University (75% vs. 47%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by San Diego State University students is 76% larger than aid received by Black Hawk College students ($12,053 vs. $6,850).

San Diego State vs. Black Hawk College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, San Diego State or Black Hawk College? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Black Hawk College and San Diego State.

• Black Hawk College reports an open admissions policy.
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: San Diego State University 1090/1300.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: San Diego State University 22/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: San Diego State - Test-free; Black Hawk College - Open admission.
• Typical fall application deadline: San Diego State Nov 30, 2026.
• Accepted freshman San Diego State students have a 0.49 point higher average high school GPA (3.82) than students at Black Hawk College (3.33).

San Diego State vs. Black Hawk College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for San Diego State and Black Hawk College? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Graduates from San Diego State University earn a median of about $21,400 more per year than Black Hawk College graduates about ten years after starting college ($53,400 vs. $32,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Black Hawk College graduates have a $8,640 lower median loan debt than San Diego State graduates ($6,709 vs. $15,349).
• Among borrowers, Black Hawk College graduates have an estimated $89 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than San Diego State graduates ($69 vs. $158).
• More San Diego State graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Black Hawk College students, three years after graduation. (65% vs. 54%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.