Allan Hancock College vs Cuesta College: which has better ROI?
Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Cuesta College comes closer — median earnings $46,047 against a $48,496 total, vs $42,786 at Allan Hancock College. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Allan Hancock College | Cuesta College |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $5,383 | $12,124 |
| Total net cost | $21,532 | $48,496 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $42,786 | $46,047 |
| Median debt | — | $13,750 |
| Payback | — | — |
| 20-year net return | -$133,012 | -$94,756 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Allan Hancock College or Cuesta College?
Allan Hancock College, at $5,383 a year after aid versus $12,124 — a gap of $6,741 a year, or $26,964 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 Cuesta College graduates earn more?
Cuesta College graduates report a median $46,047 ten years after entry, $3,261 more than the $42,786 at Allan Hancock 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?
48% of students finish at Cuesta 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.