Degree Dividend
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Allan Hancock College vs Bellus Academy-Chula Vista: which has better ROI?

Public, Santa Maria CA · vs · Private for-profit, Chula Vista CA

The verdict

Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Allan Hancock College comes closer — median earnings $42,786 against a $21,532 total, vs $23,576 at Bellus Academy-Chula Vista. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureAllan Hancock CollegeBellus Academy-Chula Vista
Net price / yr$5,383$20,738
Total net cost$21,532$82,952
Median earnings, 10 yrs$42,786$23,576
Median debt$7,917
Payback
20-year net return-$133,012-$578,632

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

Which is cheaper, Allan Hancock College or Bellus Academy-Chula Vista?

Allan Hancock College, at $5,383 a year after aid versus $20,738 — a gap of $15,355 a year, or $61,420 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

Do Allan Hancock College or Bellus Academy-Chula Vista graduates earn more?

Allan Hancock College graduates report a median $42,786 ten years after entry, $19,210 more than the $23,576 at Bellus Academy-Chula Vista. 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 graduates more of its students?

68% of students finish at Bellus Academy-Chula Vista, against 26% at Allan Hancock 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.

Allan Hancock College vs Bellus Academy-Chula Vista: frequently asked questions

Is Allan Hancock College or Bellus Academy-Chula Vista a better value?
Allan Hancock 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, Allan Hancock College or Bellus Academy-Chula Vista?
Allan Hancock College: $5,383/yr net price after aid versus $20,738/yr at Bellus Academy-Chula Vista — a difference of $15,355 a year, or about $61,420 over four years.
Do Allan Hancock College or Bellus Academy-Chula Vista graduates earn more?
Allan Hancock College graduates earn a median $42,786 ten years after entry, versus $23,576 at Bellus Academy-Chula Vista — a $19,210 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.