Degree Dividend
Sourced from federal dataEvery figure datedNo rankings for sale

Allan Hancock College vs Milan Institute-Merced: which has better ROI?

Public, Santa Maria CA · vs · Private for-profit, Merced 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 $24,879 at Milan Institute-Merced. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

Share
Head to head
MeasureAllan Hancock CollegeMilan Institute-Merced
Net price / yr$5,383$23,396
Total net cost$21,532$93,584
Median earnings, 10 yrs$42,786$24,879
Median debt$6,333
Payback
20-year net return-$133,012-$563,204

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

Which is cheaper, Allan Hancock College or Milan Institute-Merced?

Allan Hancock College, at $5,383 a year after aid versus $23,396 — a gap of $18,013 a year, or $72,052 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 Milan Institute-Merced graduates earn more?

Allan Hancock College graduates report a median $42,786 ten years after entry, $17,907 more than the $24,879 at Milan Institute-Merced. 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?

55% of students finish at Milan Institute-Merced, 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 Milan Institute-Merced: frequently asked questions

Is Allan Hancock College or Milan Institute-Merced 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 Milan Institute-Merced?
Allan Hancock College: $5,383/yr net price after aid versus $23,396/yr at Milan Institute-Merced — a difference of $18,013 a year, or about $72,052 over four years.
Do Allan Hancock College or Milan Institute-Merced graduates earn more?
Allan Hancock College graduates earn a median $42,786 ten years after entry, versus $24,879 at Milan Institute-Merced — a $17,907 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.