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Allan Hancock College vs Copper Mountain Community College: which has better ROI?

Public, Santa Maria CA · vs · Public, Joshua Tree 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 $33,281 at Copper Mountain Community College. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureAllan Hancock CollegeCopper Mountain Community College
Net price / yr$5,383$9,105
Total net cost$21,532$18,210
Median earnings, 10 yrs$42,786$33,281
Median debt
Payback
20-year net return-$133,012-$319,790

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

Which is cheaper, Allan Hancock College or Copper Mountain Community College?

Allan Hancock College, at $5,383 a year after aid versus $9,105 — a gap of $3,722 a year, or $3,322 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 Copper Mountain Community College graduates earn more?

Allan Hancock College graduates report a median $42,786 ten years after entry, $9,505 more than the $33,281 at Copper Mountain Community 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?

26% of students finish at Allan Hancock College, against 20% at Copper Mountain Community 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 Copper Mountain Community College: frequently asked questions

Is Allan Hancock College or Copper Mountain Community 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 Copper Mountain Community College?
Allan Hancock College: $5,383/yr net price after aid versus $9,105/yr at Copper Mountain Community College — a difference of $3,722 a year, or about $3,322 over four years.
Do Allan Hancock College or Copper Mountain Community College graduates earn more?
Allan Hancock College graduates earn a median $42,786 ten years after entry, versus $33,281 at Copper Mountain Community College — a $9,505 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.