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Allan Hancock College vs Compton College: which has better ROI?

Public, Santa Maria CA · vs · Public, Compton 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 $34,181 at Compton College. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureAllan Hancock CollegeCompton College
Net price / yr$5,383$12,647
Total net cost$21,532$25,294
Median earnings, 10 yrs$42,786$34,181
Median debt
Payback
20-year net return-$133,012-$308,874

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

Which is cheaper, Allan Hancock College or Compton College?

Allan Hancock College, at $5,383 a year after aid versus $12,647 — a gap of $7,264 a year, or $3,762 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 Compton College graduates earn more?

Allan Hancock College graduates report a median $42,786 ten years after entry, $8,605 more than the $34,181 at Compton College. 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?

27% of students finish at Compton College, 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 Compton College: frequently asked questions

Is Allan Hancock College or Compton College 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 Compton College?
Allan Hancock College: $5,383/yr net price after aid versus $12,647/yr at Compton College — a difference of $7,264 a year, or about $3,762 over four years.
Do Allan Hancock College or Compton College graduates earn more?
Allan Hancock College graduates earn a median $42,786 ten years after entry, versus $34,181 at Compton College — a $8,605 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.