Degree Dividend
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Allan Hancock College vs CET-San Diego: which has better ROI?

Public, Santa Maria CA · vs · Private nonprofit, San Diego 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 $32,986 at CET-San Diego. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureAllan Hancock CollegeCET-San Diego
Net price / yr$5,383$22,035
Total net cost$21,532$88,140
Median earnings, 10 yrs$42,786$32,986
Median debt$7,041
Payback
20-year net return-$133,012-$395,620

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

Which is cheaper, Allan Hancock College or CET-San Diego?

Allan Hancock College, at $5,383 a year after aid versus $22,035 — a gap of $16,652 a year, or $66,608 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 CET-San Diego graduates earn more?

Allan Hancock College graduates report a median $42,786 ten years after entry, $9,800 more than the $32,986 at CET-San Diego. 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?

87% of students finish at CET-San Diego, 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 CET-San Diego: frequently asked questions

Is Allan Hancock College or CET-San Diego 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 CET-San Diego?
Allan Hancock College: $5,383/yr net price after aid versus $22,035/yr at CET-San Diego — a difference of $16,652 a year, or about $66,608 over four years.
Do Allan Hancock College or CET-San Diego graduates earn more?
Allan Hancock College graduates earn a median $42,786 ten years after entry, versus $32,986 at CET-San Diego — a $9,800 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.