Degree Dividend
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Allan Hancock College vs Lake Tahoe Community College: which has better ROI?

Public, Santa Maria CA · vs · Public, South Lake Tahoe 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 $36,657 at Lake Tahoe Community College. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureAllan Hancock CollegeLake Tahoe Community College
Net price / yr$5,383$8,516
Total net cost$21,532$17,032
Median earnings, 10 yrs$42,786$36,657
Median debt
Payback
20-year net return-$133,012-$251,092

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

Which is cheaper, Allan Hancock College or Lake Tahoe Community College?

Allan Hancock College, at $5,383 a year after aid versus $8,516 — a gap of $3,133 a year, or $4,500 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 Lake Tahoe Community College graduates earn more?

Allan Hancock College graduates report a median $42,786 ten years after entry, $6,129 more than the $36,657 at Lake Tahoe 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?

45% of students finish at Lake Tahoe Community 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 Lake Tahoe Community College: frequently asked questions

Is Allan Hancock College or Lake Tahoe 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 Lake Tahoe Community College?
Allan Hancock College: $5,383/yr net price after aid versus $8,516/yr at Lake Tahoe Community College — a difference of $3,133 a year, or about $4,500 over four years.
Do Allan Hancock College or Lake Tahoe Community College graduates earn more?
Allan Hancock College graduates earn a median $42,786 ten years after entry, versus $36,657 at Lake Tahoe Community College — a $6,129 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.