Degree Dividend
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Allan Hancock College vs Shasta College: which has better ROI?

Public, Santa Maria CA · vs · Public, Redding 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 $39,269 at Shasta College. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureAllan Hancock CollegeShasta College
Net price / yr$5,383$2,878
Total net cost$21,532$5,756
Median earnings, 10 yrs$42,786$39,269
Median debt$14,250
Payback
20-year net return-$133,012-$187,576

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

Which is cheaper, Allan Hancock College or Shasta College?

Shasta College, at $2,878 a year after aid versus $5,383 — a gap of $2,505 a year, or $15,776 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 Shasta College graduates earn more?

Allan Hancock College graduates report a median $42,786 ten years after entry, $3,517 more than the $39,269 at Shasta 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?

26% of students finish at Allan Hancock College, against 23% at Shasta 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 Shasta College: frequently asked questions

Is Allan Hancock College or Shasta 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 Shasta College?
Shasta College: $2,878/yr net price after aid versus $5,383/yr at Allan Hancock College — a difference of $2,505 a year, or about $15,776 over four years.
Do Allan Hancock College or Shasta College graduates earn more?
Allan Hancock College graduates earn a median $42,786 ten years after entry, versus $39,269 at Shasta College — a $3,517 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.