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

Public, Santa Maria CA · vs · Public, Taft 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 $38,861 at Taft College. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureAllan Hancock CollegeTaft College
Net price / yr$5,383$2,823
Total net cost$21,532$5,646
Median earnings, 10 yrs$42,786$38,861
Median debt
Payback
20-year net return-$133,012-$195,626

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

Which is cheaper, Allan Hancock College or Taft College?

Taft College, at $2,823 a year after aid versus $5,383 — a gap of $2,560 a year, or $15,886 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 Taft College graduates earn more?

Allan Hancock College graduates report a median $42,786 ten years after entry, $3,925 more than the $38,861 at Taft 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?

28% of students finish at Taft College, 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 Taft College: frequently asked questions

Is Allan Hancock College or Taft 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 Taft College?
Taft College: $2,823/yr net price after aid versus $5,383/yr at Allan Hancock College — a difference of $2,560 a year, or about $15,886 over four years.
Do Allan Hancock College or Taft College graduates earn more?
Allan Hancock College graduates earn a median $42,786 ten years after entry, versus $38,861 at Taft College — a $3,925 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.