Allan Hancock College vs California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt: which has better ROI?
Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt comes closer — median earnings $47,626 against a $52,684 total, vs $42,786 at Allan Hancock College. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Allan Hancock College | California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $5,383 | $13,171 |
| Total net cost | $21,532 | $52,684 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $42,786 | $47,626 |
| Median debt | — | $18,000 |
| Payback | — | — |
| 20-year net return | -$133,012 | -$67,364 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Allan Hancock College or California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt?
Allan Hancock College, at $5,383 a year after aid versus $13,171 — a gap of $7,788 a year, or $31,152 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 State Polytechnic University-Humboldt graduates earn more?
California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt graduates report a median $47,626 ten years after entry, $4,840 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?
49% of students finish at California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt, 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.