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Allan Hancock College vs Pima Medical Institute-San Marcos: which has better ROI?

Public, Santa Maria CA · vs · Private for-profit, San Marcos 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 $38,673 at Pima Medical Institute-San Marcos. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureAllan Hancock CollegePima Medical Institute-San Marcos
Net price / yr$5,383$27,365
Total net cost$21,532$109,460
Median earnings, 10 yrs$42,786$38,673
Median debt$9,500
Payback
20-year net return-$133,012-$303,200

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

Which is cheaper, Allan Hancock College or Pima Medical Institute-San Marcos?

Allan Hancock College, at $5,383 a year after aid versus $27,365 — a gap of $21,982 a year, or $87,928 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 Pima Medical Institute-San Marcos graduates earn more?

Allan Hancock College graduates report a median $42,786 ten years after entry, $4,113 more than the $38,673 at Pima Medical Institute-San Marcos. 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?

71% of students finish at Pima Medical Institute-San Marcos, 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 Pima Medical Institute-San Marcos: frequently asked questions

Is Allan Hancock College or Pima Medical Institute-San Marcos 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 Pima Medical Institute-San Marcos?
Allan Hancock College: $5,383/yr net price after aid versus $27,365/yr at Pima Medical Institute-San Marcos — a difference of $21,982 a year, or about $87,928 over four years.
Do Allan Hancock College or Pima Medical Institute-San Marcos graduates earn more?
Allan Hancock College graduates earn a median $42,786 ten years after entry, versus $38,673 at Pima Medical Institute-San Marcos — a $4,113 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.