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Allan Hancock College vs National Polytechnic College: which has better ROI?

Public, Santa Maria CA · vs · Private for-profit, Lakewood 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 $30,781 at National Polytechnic College. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureAllan Hancock CollegeNational Polytechnic College
Net price / yr$5,383$30,669
Total net cost$21,532$61,338
Median earnings, 10 yrs$42,786$30,781
Median debt$16,098
Payback
20-year net return-$133,012-$412,918

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

Which is cheaper, Allan Hancock College or National Polytechnic College?

Allan Hancock College, at $5,383 a year after aid versus $30,669 — a gap of $25,286 a year, or $39,806 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 Polytechnic College graduates earn more?

Allan Hancock College graduates report a median $42,786 ten years after entry, $12,005 more than the $30,781 at National Polytechnic 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?

47% of students finish at National Polytechnic College, 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 Polytechnic College: frequently asked questions

Is Allan Hancock College or National Polytechnic 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 National Polytechnic College?
Allan Hancock College: $5,383/yr net price after aid versus $30,669/yr at National Polytechnic College — a difference of $25,286 a year, or about $39,806 over four years.
Do Allan Hancock College or National Polytechnic College graduates earn more?
Allan Hancock College graduates earn a median $42,786 ten years after entry, versus $30,781 at National Polytechnic College — a $12,005 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.