Allan Hancock College vs College of the Redwoods: which has better ROI?
Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Allan Hancock College comes closer — median earnings $42,786 against a $21,532 total, vs $36,243 at College of the Redwoods. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Allan Hancock College | College of the Redwoods |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $5,383 | $6,904 |
| Total net cost | $21,532 | $13,808 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $42,786 | $36,243 |
| Median debt | — | $8,080 |
| Payback | — | — |
| 20-year net return | -$133,012 | -$256,148 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Allan Hancock College or College of the Redwoods?
Allan Hancock College, at $5,383 a year after aid versus $6,904 — a gap of $1,521 a year, or $7,724 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 the Redwoods graduates earn more?
Allan Hancock College graduates report a median $42,786 ten years after entry, $6,543 more than the $36,243 at College of the Redwoods. 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?
34% of students finish at College of the Redwoods, 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.