Degree Dividend
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Allan Hancock College vs Cabrillo College: which has better ROI?

Public, Santa Maria CA · vs · Public, Aptos CA

The verdict

Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Cabrillo College comes closer — median earnings $44,114 against a $31,686 total, vs $42,786 at Allan Hancock College. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureAllan Hancock CollegeCabrillo College
Net price / yr$5,383$15,843
Total net cost$21,532$31,686
Median earnings, 10 yrs$42,786$44,114
Median debt$14,380
Payback
20-year net return-$133,012-$116,606

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

Which is cheaper, Allan Hancock College or Cabrillo College?

Allan Hancock College, at $5,383 a year after aid versus $15,843 — a gap of $10,460 a year, or $10,154 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 Cabrillo College graduates earn more?

Cabrillo College graduates report a median $44,114 ten years after entry, $1,328 more than the $42,786 at Allan Hancock College. 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?

38% of students finish at Cabrillo College, 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 Cabrillo College: frequently asked questions

Is Allan Hancock College or Cabrillo College a better value?
Cabrillo 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 Cabrillo College?
Allan Hancock College: $5,383/yr net price after aid versus $15,843/yr at Cabrillo College — a difference of $10,460 a year, or about $10,154 over four years.
Do Allan Hancock College or Cabrillo College graduates earn more?
Cabrillo College graduates earn a median $44,114 ten years after entry, versus $42,786 at Allan Hancock College — a $1,328 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.