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Allan Hancock College vs Laguna College of Art and Design: which has better ROI?

Public, Santa Maria CA · vs · Private nonprofit, Laguna Beach 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 $47,867 at Laguna College of Art and Design. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureAllan Hancock CollegeLaguna College of Art and Design
Net price / yr$5,383$42,505
Total net cost$21,532$170,020
Median earnings, 10 yrs$42,786$47,867
Median debt$27,000
Payback
20-year net return-$133,012-$179,880

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

Which is cheaper, Allan Hancock College or Laguna College of Art and Design?

Allan Hancock College, at $5,383 a year after aid versus $42,505 — a gap of $37,122 a year, or $148,488 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 Laguna College of Art and Design graduates earn more?

Laguna College of Art and Design graduates report a median $47,867 ten years after entry, $5,081 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?

52% of students finish at Laguna College of Art and Design, 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 Laguna College of Art and Design: frequently asked questions

Is Allan Hancock College or Laguna College of Art and Design 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 Laguna College of Art and Design?
Allan Hancock College: $5,383/yr net price after aid versus $42,505/yr at Laguna College of Art and Design — a difference of $37,122 a year, or about $148,488 over four years.
Do Allan Hancock College or Laguna College of Art and Design graduates earn more?
Laguna College of Art and Design graduates earn a median $47,867 ten years after entry, versus $42,786 at Allan Hancock College — a $5,081 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.