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Allan Hancock College vs Sierra College of Beauty: which has better ROI?

Public, Santa Maria CA · vs · Private for-profit, Merced 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 $18,519 at Sierra College of Beauty. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureAllan Hancock CollegeSierra College of Beauty
Net price / yr$5,383$10,794
Total net cost$21,532$43,176
Median earnings, 10 yrs$42,786$18,519
Median debt
Payback
20-year net return-$133,012-$639,996

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

Which is cheaper, Allan Hancock College or Sierra College of Beauty?

Allan Hancock College, at $5,383 a year after aid versus $10,794 — a gap of $5,411 a year, or $21,644 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 Sierra College of Beauty graduates earn more?

Allan Hancock College graduates report a median $42,786 ten years after entry, $24,267 more than the $18,519 at Sierra College of Beauty. 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?

84% of students finish at Sierra College of Beauty, 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 Sierra College of Beauty: frequently asked questions

Is Allan Hancock College or Sierra College of Beauty 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 Sierra College of Beauty?
Allan Hancock College: $5,383/yr net price after aid versus $10,794/yr at Sierra College of Beauty — a difference of $5,411 a year, or about $21,644 over four years.
Do Allan Hancock College or Sierra College of Beauty graduates earn more?
Allan Hancock College graduates earn a median $42,786 ten years after entry, versus $18,519 at Sierra College of Beauty — a $24,267 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.