Degree Dividend
Sourced from federal dataEvery figure datedNo rankings for sale

Allan Hancock College vs North-West College-San Diego: which has better ROI?

Public, Santa Maria CA · vs · Private for-profit, San Diego 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 $41,472 at North-West College-San Diego. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

Share
Head to head
MeasureAllan Hancock CollegeNorth-West College-San Diego
Net price / yr$5,383$46,503
Total net cost$21,532$93,006
Median earnings, 10 yrs$42,786$41,472
Median debt$9,500
Payback
20-year net return-$133,012-$230,766

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

Which is cheaper, Allan Hancock College or North-West College-San Diego?

Allan Hancock College, at $5,383 a year after aid versus $46,503 — a gap of $41,120 a year, or $71,474 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 North-West College-San Diego graduates earn more?

Allan Hancock College graduates report a median $42,786 ten years after entry, $1,314 more than the $41,472 at North-West College-San Diego. 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.

Allan Hancock College vs North-West College-San Diego: frequently asked questions

Is Allan Hancock College or North-West College-San Diego 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 North-West College-San Diego?
Allan Hancock College: $5,383/yr net price after aid versus $46,503/yr at North-West College-San Diego — a difference of $41,120 a year, or about $71,474 over four years.
Do Allan Hancock College or North-West College-San Diego graduates earn more?
Allan Hancock College graduates earn a median $42,786 ten years after entry, versus $41,472 at North-West College-San Diego — a $1,314 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.