Degree Dividend
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Allan Hancock College vs Life Pacific University: which has better ROI?

Public, Santa Maria CA · vs · Private nonprofit, San Dimas 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 $43,299 at Life Pacific University. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureAllan Hancock CollegeLife Pacific University
Net price / yr$5,383$20,898
Total net cost$21,532$83,592
Median earnings, 10 yrs$42,786$43,299
Median debt$22,395
Payback
20-year net return-$133,012-$184,812

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

Which is cheaper, Allan Hancock College or Life Pacific University?

Allan Hancock College, at $5,383 a year after aid versus $20,898 — a gap of $15,515 a year, or $62,060 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 Life Pacific University graduates earn more?

Life Pacific University graduates report a median $43,299 ten years after entry, $513 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?

40% of students finish at Life Pacific University, 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 Life Pacific University: frequently asked questions

Is Allan Hancock College or Life Pacific University 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 Life Pacific University?
Allan Hancock College: $5,383/yr net price after aid versus $20,898/yr at Life Pacific University — a difference of $15,515 a year, or about $62,060 over four years.
Do Allan Hancock College or Life Pacific University graduates earn more?
Life Pacific University graduates earn a median $43,299 ten years after entry, versus $42,786 at Allan Hancock College — a $513 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.