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Allan Hancock College vs North-West College-Van Nuys: which has better ROI?

Public, Santa Maria CA · vs · Private for-profit, Van Nuys 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 $32,488 at North-West College-Van Nuys. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureAllan Hancock CollegeNorth-West College-Van Nuys
Net price / yr$5,383$31,999
Total net cost$21,532$127,996
Median earnings, 10 yrs$42,786$32,488
Median debt$9,500
Payback
20-year net return-$133,012-$445,436

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-Van Nuys?

Allan Hancock College, at $5,383 a year after aid versus $31,999 — a gap of $26,616 a year, or $106,464 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-Van Nuys graduates earn more?

Allan Hancock College graduates report a median $42,786 ten years after entry, $10,298 more than the $32,488 at North-West College-Van Nuys. 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?

60% of students finish at North-West College-Van Nuys, 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 North-West College-Van Nuys: frequently asked questions

Is Allan Hancock College or North-West College-Van Nuys 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-Van Nuys?
Allan Hancock College: $5,383/yr net price after aid versus $31,999/yr at North-West College-Van Nuys — a difference of $26,616 a year, or about $106,464 over four years.
Do Allan Hancock College or North-West College-Van Nuys graduates earn more?
Allan Hancock College graduates earn a median $42,786 ten years after entry, versus $32,488 at North-West College-Van Nuys — a $10,298 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.