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Allan Hancock College vs Los Angeles College of Music: which has better ROI?

Public, Santa Maria CA · vs · Private for-profit, Pasadena 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 $31,758 at Los Angeles College of Music. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureAllan Hancock CollegeLos Angeles College of Music
Net price / yr$5,383$43,590
Total net cost$21,532$174,360
Median earnings, 10 yrs$42,786$31,758
Median debt$27,938
Payback
20-year net return-$133,012-$506,400

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

Which is cheaper, Allan Hancock College or Los Angeles College of Music?

Allan Hancock College, at $5,383 a year after aid versus $43,590 — a gap of $38,207 a year, or $152,828 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 Los Angeles College of Music graduates earn more?

Allan Hancock College graduates report a median $42,786 ten years after entry, $11,028 more than the $31,758 at Los Angeles College of Music. 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?

41% of students finish at Los Angeles College of Music, 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 Los Angeles College of Music: frequently asked questions

Is Allan Hancock College or Los Angeles College of Music 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 Los Angeles College of Music?
Allan Hancock College: $5,383/yr net price after aid versus $43,590/yr at Los Angeles College of Music — a difference of $38,207 a year, or about $152,828 over four years.
Do Allan Hancock College or Los Angeles College of Music graduates earn more?
Allan Hancock College graduates earn a median $42,786 ten years after entry, versus $31,758 at Los Angeles College of Music — a $11,028 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.