Allan Hancock College vs Downey Adult School: which has better ROI?
Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Downey Adult School comes closer — median earnings $46,851 against a $54,780 total, vs $42,786 at Allan Hancock College. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Allan Hancock College | Downey Adult School |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $5,383 | $13,695 |
| Total net cost | $21,532 | $54,780 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $42,786 | $46,851 |
| Median debt | — | — |
| Payback | — | — |
| 20-year net return | -$133,012 | -$84,960 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Allan Hancock College or Downey Adult School?
Allan Hancock College, at $5,383 a year after aid versus $13,695 — a gap of $8,312 a year, or $33,248 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 Downey Adult School graduates earn more?
Downey Adult School graduates report a median $46,851 ten years after entry, $4,065 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?
31% of students finish at Downey Adult School, 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.