Degree Dividend
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Allan Hancock College vs Cerro Coso Community College: which has better ROI?

Public, Santa Maria CA · vs · Public, Ridgecrest 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 $34,963 at Cerro Coso Community College. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureAllan Hancock CollegeCerro Coso Community College
Net price / yr$5,383$18,306
Total net cost$21,532$36,612
Median earnings, 10 yrs$42,786$34,963
Median debt
Payback
20-year net return-$133,012-$304,552

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

Which is cheaper, Allan Hancock College or Cerro Coso Community College?

Allan Hancock College, at $5,383 a year after aid versus $18,306 — a gap of $12,923 a year, or $15,080 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 Cerro Coso Community College graduates earn more?

Allan Hancock College graduates report a median $42,786 ten years after entry, $7,823 more than the $34,963 at Cerro Coso Community 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?

26% of students finish at Allan Hancock College, against 25% at Cerro Coso Community 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 Cerro Coso Community College: frequently asked questions

Is Allan Hancock College or Cerro Coso Community College 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 Cerro Coso Community College?
Allan Hancock College: $5,383/yr net price after aid versus $18,306/yr at Cerro Coso Community College — a difference of $12,923 a year, or about $15,080 over four years.
Do Allan Hancock College or Cerro Coso Community College graduates earn more?
Allan Hancock College graduates earn a median $42,786 ten years after entry, versus $34,963 at Cerro Coso Community College — a $7,823 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.