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Allan Hancock College vs Career Networks Institute: which has better ROI?

Public, Santa Maria CA · vs · Private for-profit, Santa Ana 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 $45,256 at Career Networks Institute. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureAllan Hancock CollegeCareer Networks Institute
Net price / yr$5,383$49,677
Total net cost$21,532$99,354
Median earnings, 10 yrs$42,786$45,256
Median debt$25,899
Payback
20-year net return-$133,012-$161,434

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

Which is cheaper, Allan Hancock College or Career Networks Institute?

Allan Hancock College, at $5,383 a year after aid versus $49,677 — a gap of $44,294 a year, or $77,822 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 Career Networks Institute graduates earn more?

Career Networks Institute graduates report a median $45,256 ten years after entry, $2,470 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?

89% of students finish at Career Networks 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 Career Networks Institute: frequently asked questions

Is Allan Hancock College or Career Networks Institute 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 Career Networks Institute?
Allan Hancock College: $5,383/yr net price after aid versus $49,677/yr at Career Networks Institute — a difference of $44,294 a year, or about $77,822 over four years.
Do Allan Hancock College or Career Networks Institute graduates earn more?
Career Networks Institute graduates earn a median $45,256 ten years after entry, versus $42,786 at Allan Hancock College — a $2,470 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.