Degree Dividend
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Allan Hancock College vs Paul Mitchell the School-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 $26,897 at Paul Mitchell the School-San Diego. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureAllan Hancock CollegePaul Mitchell the School-San Diego
Net price / yr$5,383$35,975
Total net cost$21,532$143,900
Median earnings, 10 yrs$42,786$26,897
Median debt$13,000
Payback
20-year net return-$133,012-$573,160

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

Which is cheaper, Allan Hancock College or Paul Mitchell the School-San Diego?

Allan Hancock College, at $5,383 a year after aid versus $35,975 — a gap of $30,592 a year, or $122,368 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 Paul Mitchell the School-San Diego graduates earn more?

Allan Hancock College graduates report a median $42,786 ten years after entry, $15,889 more than the $26,897 at Paul Mitchell the School-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.

Which graduates more of its students?

99% of students finish at Paul Mitchell the School-San Diego, 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 Paul Mitchell the School-San Diego: frequently asked questions

Is Allan Hancock College or Paul Mitchell the School-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 Paul Mitchell the School-San Diego?
Allan Hancock College: $5,383/yr net price after aid versus $35,975/yr at Paul Mitchell the School-San Diego — a difference of $30,592 a year, or about $122,368 over four years.
Do Allan Hancock College or Paul Mitchell the School-San Diego graduates earn more?
Allan Hancock College graduates earn a median $42,786 ten years after entry, versus $26,897 at Paul Mitchell the School-San Diego — a $15,889 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.