Degree Dividend
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Allan Hancock College vs West Los Angeles College: which has better ROI?

Public, Santa Maria CA · vs · Public, Culver City 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 $38,537 at West Los Angeles College. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureAllan Hancock CollegeWest Los Angeles College
Net price / yr$5,383$9,634
Total net cost$21,532$38,536
Median earnings, 10 yrs$42,786$38,537
Median debt$13,500
Payback
20-year net return-$133,012-$234,996

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

Which is cheaper, Allan Hancock College or West Los Angeles College?

Allan Hancock College, at $5,383 a year after aid versus $9,634 — a gap of $4,251 a year, or $17,004 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 West Los Angeles College graduates earn more?

Allan Hancock College graduates report a median $42,786 ten years after entry, $4,249 more than the $38,537 at West Los Angeles 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 West Los Angeles 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 West Los Angeles College: frequently asked questions

Is Allan Hancock College or West Los Angeles 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 West Los Angeles College?
Allan Hancock College: $5,383/yr net price after aid versus $9,634/yr at West Los Angeles College — a difference of $4,251 a year, or about $17,004 over four years.
Do Allan Hancock College or West Los Angeles College graduates earn more?
Allan Hancock College graduates earn a median $42,786 ten years after entry, versus $38,537 at West Los Angeles College — a $4,249 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.