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

Public, Santa Maria CA · vs · Private nonprofit, San Jose 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 Jose. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureAllan Hancock CollegeCET-San Jose
Net price / yr$5,383$16,101
Total net cost$21,532$64,404
Median earnings, 10 yrs$42,786$32,986
Median debt$7,041
Payback
20-year net return-$133,012-$371,884

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

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

Allan Hancock College, at $5,383 a year after aid versus $16,101 — a gap of $10,718 a year, or $42,872 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 Jose 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 Jose. 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?

81% of students finish at CET-San Jose, 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 Jose: frequently asked questions

Is Allan Hancock College or CET-San Jose 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 Jose?
Allan Hancock College: $5,383/yr net price after aid versus $16,101/yr at CET-San Jose — a difference of $10,718 a year, or about $42,872 over four years.
Do Allan Hancock College or CET-San Jose graduates earn more?
Allan Hancock College graduates earn a median $42,786 ten years after entry, versus $32,986 at CET-San Jose — a $9,800 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.