Degree Dividend
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Allan Hancock College vs Lu Ross Academy: which has better ROI?

Public, Santa Maria CA · vs · Private for-profit, Ventura 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 $23,148 at Lu Ross Academy. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureAllan Hancock CollegeLu Ross Academy
Net price / yr$5,383$19,444
Total net cost$21,532$77,776
Median earnings, 10 yrs$42,786$23,148
Median debt$6,333
Payback
20-year net return-$133,012-$582,016

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

Which is cheaper, Allan Hancock College or Lu Ross Academy?

Allan Hancock College, at $5,383 a year after aid versus $19,444 — a gap of $14,061 a year, or $56,244 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 Lu Ross Academy graduates earn more?

Allan Hancock College graduates report a median $42,786 ten years after entry, $19,638 more than the $23,148 at Lu Ross Academy. 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?

65% of students finish at Lu Ross Academy, 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 Lu Ross Academy: frequently asked questions

Is Allan Hancock College or Lu Ross Academy 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 Lu Ross Academy?
Allan Hancock College: $5,383/yr net price after aid versus $19,444/yr at Lu Ross Academy — a difference of $14,061 a year, or about $56,244 over four years.
Do Allan Hancock College or Lu Ross Academy graduates earn more?
Allan Hancock College graduates earn a median $42,786 ten years after entry, versus $23,148 at Lu Ross Academy — a $19,638 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.