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

Public, Santa Maria CA · vs · Public, Gilroy CA

The verdict

Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Gavilan College comes closer — median earnings $47,169 against a $13,084 total, vs $42,786 at Allan Hancock College. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureAllan Hancock CollegeGavilan College
Net price / yr$5,383$6,542
Total net cost$21,532$13,084
Median earnings, 10 yrs$42,786$47,169
Median debt
Payback
20-year net return-$133,012-$36,904

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

Which is cheaper, Allan Hancock College or Gavilan College?

Allan Hancock College, at $5,383 a year after aid versus $6,542 — a gap of $1,159 a year, or $8,448 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 Gavilan College graduates earn more?

Gavilan College graduates report a median $47,169 ten years after entry, $4,383 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?

42% of students finish at Gavilan 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 Gavilan College: frequently asked questions

Is Allan Hancock College or Gavilan College a better value?
Gavilan 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 Gavilan College?
Allan Hancock College: $5,383/yr net price after aid versus $6,542/yr at Gavilan College — a difference of $1,159 a year, or about $8,448 over four years.
Do Allan Hancock College or Gavilan College graduates earn more?
Gavilan College graduates earn a median $47,169 ten years after entry, versus $42,786 at Allan Hancock College — a $4,383 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.