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Allan Hancock College vs National Career Education: which has better ROI?

Public, Santa Maria CA · vs · Private for-profit, Citrus Heights 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 $38,015 at National Career Education. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureAllan Hancock CollegeNational Career Education
Net price / yr$5,383$25,380
Total net cost$21,532$101,520
Median earnings, 10 yrs$42,786$38,015
Median debt$7,853
Payback
20-year net return-$133,012-$308,420

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

Which is cheaper, Allan Hancock College or National Career Education?

Allan Hancock College, at $5,383 a year after aid versus $25,380 — a gap of $19,997 a year, or $79,988 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 National Career Education graduates earn more?

Allan Hancock College graduates report a median $42,786 ten years after entry, $4,771 more than the $38,015 at National Career Education. 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?

83% of students finish at National Career Education, 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 National Career Education: frequently asked questions

Is Allan Hancock College or National Career Education 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 National Career Education?
Allan Hancock College: $5,383/yr net price after aid versus $25,380/yr at National Career Education — a difference of $19,997 a year, or about $79,988 over four years.
Do Allan Hancock College or National Career Education graduates earn more?
Allan Hancock College graduates earn a median $42,786 ten years after entry, versus $38,015 at National Career Education — a $4,771 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.