Allan Hancock College vs California Institute of the Arts: which has better ROI?
Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Allan Hancock College comes closer — median earnings $42,786 against a $21,532 total, vs $41,198 at California Institute of the Arts. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Allan Hancock College | California Institute of the Arts |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $5,383 | $46,080 |
| Total net cost | $21,532 | $184,320 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $42,786 | $41,198 |
| Median debt | — | $25,000 |
| Payback | — | — |
| 20-year net return | -$133,012 | -$327,560 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Allan Hancock College or California Institute of the Arts?
Allan Hancock College, at $5,383 a year after aid versus $46,080 — a gap of $40,697 a year, or $162,788 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 California Institute of the Arts graduates earn more?
Allan Hancock College graduates report a median $42,786 ten years after entry, $1,588 more than the $41,198 at California Institute of the Arts. 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?
67% of students finish at California Institute of the Arts, 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.