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

Public, Santa Maria CA · vs · Public, Kentfield 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 $42,654 at College of Marin. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureAllan Hancock CollegeCollege of Marin
Net price / yr$5,383$12,351
Total net cost$21,532$24,702
Median earnings, 10 yrs$42,786$42,654
Median debt$10,062
Payback
20-year net return-$133,012-$138,822

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

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

Allan Hancock College, at $5,383 a year after aid versus $12,351 — a gap of $6,968 a year, or $3,170 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 Marin graduates earn more?

Allan Hancock College graduates report a median $42,786 ten years after entry, $132 more than the $42,654 at College of Marin. 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?

39% of students finish at College of Marin, 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 Marin: frequently asked questions

Is Allan Hancock College or College of Marin 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 College of Marin?
Allan Hancock College: $5,383/yr net price after aid versus $12,351/yr at College of Marin — a difference of $6,968 a year, or about $3,170 over four years.
Do Allan Hancock College or College of Marin graduates earn more?
Allan Hancock College graduates earn a median $42,786 ten years after entry, versus $42,654 at College of Marin — a $132 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.