Degree Dividend
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Allan Hancock College vs Mendocino College: which has better ROI?

Public, Santa Maria CA · vs · Public, Ukiah 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 $40,243 at Mendocino College. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureAllan Hancock CollegeMendocino College
Net price / yr$5,383$8,330
Total net cost$21,532$16,660
Median earnings, 10 yrs$42,786$40,243
Median debt$10,836
Payback
20-year net return-$133,012-$179,000

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

Which is cheaper, Allan Hancock College or Mendocino College?

Allan Hancock College, at $5,383 a year after aid versus $8,330 — a gap of $2,947 a year, or $4,872 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 Mendocino College graduates earn more?

Allan Hancock College graduates report a median $42,786 ten years after entry, $2,543 more than the $40,243 at Mendocino 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?

26% of students finish at Allan Hancock College, against 25% at Mendocino 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 Mendocino College: frequently asked questions

Is Allan Hancock College or Mendocino 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 Mendocino College?
Allan Hancock College: $5,383/yr net price after aid versus $8,330/yr at Mendocino College — a difference of $2,947 a year, or about $4,872 over four years.
Do Allan Hancock College or Mendocino College graduates earn more?
Allan Hancock College graduates earn a median $42,786 ten years after entry, versus $40,243 at Mendocino College — a $2,543 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.