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Allan Hancock College vs California Nurses Educational Institute: which has better ROI?

Public, Santa Maria CA · vs · Private for-profit, Rancho Mirage CA

The verdict

Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but California Nurses Educational Institute comes closer — median earnings $46,895 against a $92,924 total, vs $42,786 at Allan Hancock College. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureAllan Hancock CollegeCalifornia Nurses Educational Institute
Net price / yr$5,383$23,231
Total net cost$21,532$92,924
Median earnings, 10 yrs$42,786$46,895
Median debt$16,941
Payback
20-year net return-$133,012-$122,224

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

Which is cheaper, Allan Hancock College or California Nurses Educational Institute?

Allan Hancock College, at $5,383 a year after aid versus $23,231 — a gap of $17,848 a year, or $71,392 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 Nurses Educational Institute graduates earn more?

California Nurses Educational Institute graduates report a median $46,895 ten years after entry, $4,109 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?

80% of students finish at California Nurses Educational Institute, 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 California Nurses Educational Institute: frequently asked questions

Is Allan Hancock College or California Nurses Educational Institute a better value?
California Nurses Educational Institute 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 California Nurses Educational Institute?
Allan Hancock College: $5,383/yr net price after aid versus $23,231/yr at California Nurses Educational Institute — a difference of $17,848 a year, or about $71,392 over four years.
Do Allan Hancock College or California Nurses Educational Institute graduates earn more?
California Nurses Educational Institute graduates earn a median $46,895 ten years after entry, versus $42,786 at Allan Hancock College — a $4,109 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.