Degree Dividend
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Allan Hancock College vs Contra Costa College: which has better ROI?

Public, Santa Maria CA · vs · Public, San Pablo 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 $40,850 at Contra Costa College. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureAllan Hancock CollegeContra Costa College
Net price / yr$5,383$9,490
Total net cost$21,532$18,980
Median earnings, 10 yrs$42,786$40,850
Median debt
Payback
20-year net return-$133,012-$169,180

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

Which is cheaper, Allan Hancock College or Contra Costa College?

Allan Hancock College, at $5,383 a year after aid versus $9,490 — a gap of $4,107 a year, or $2,552 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 Contra Costa College graduates earn more?

Allan Hancock College graduates report a median $42,786 ten years after entry, $1,936 more than the $40,850 at Contra Costa 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?

28% of students finish at Contra Costa 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 Contra Costa College: frequently asked questions

Is Allan Hancock College or Contra Costa 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 Contra Costa College?
Allan Hancock College: $5,383/yr net price after aid versus $9,490/yr at Contra Costa College — a difference of $4,107 a year, or about $2,552 over four years.
Do Allan Hancock College or Contra Costa College graduates earn more?
Allan Hancock College graduates earn a median $42,786 ten years after entry, versus $40,850 at Contra Costa College — a $1,936 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.