Degree Dividend
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Allan Hancock College vs College of Alameda: which has better ROI?

Public, Santa Maria CA · vs · Public, Alameda CA

The verdict

Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but College of Alameda comes closer — median earnings $42,563 against a $16,992 total, vs $42,786 at Allan Hancock College. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureAllan Hancock CollegeCollege of Alameda
Net price / yr$5,383$8,496
Total net cost$21,532$16,992
Median earnings, 10 yrs$42,786$42,563
Median debt
Payback
20-year net return-$133,012-$132,932

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

Which is cheaper, Allan Hancock College or College of Alameda?

Allan Hancock College, at $5,383 a year after aid versus $8,496 — a gap of $3,113 a year, or $4,540 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 College of Alameda graduates earn more?

Allan Hancock College graduates report a median $42,786 ten years after entry, $223 more than the $42,563 at College of Alameda. 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?

33% of students finish at College of Alameda, 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 College of Alameda: frequently asked questions

Is Allan Hancock College or College of Alameda a better value?
College of Alameda 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 College of Alameda?
Allan Hancock College: $5,383/yr net price after aid versus $8,496/yr at College of Alameda — a difference of $3,113 a year, or about $4,540 over four years.
Do Allan Hancock College or College of Alameda graduates earn more?
Allan Hancock College graduates earn a median $42,786 ten years after entry, versus $42,563 at College of Alameda — a $223 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.