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

Public, Norwalk CA · vs · Public, Santa Maria 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 $41,156 at Cerritos College. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureCerritos CollegeAllan Hancock College
Net price / yr$2,424$5,383
Total net cost$9,696$21,532
Median earnings, 10 yrs$41,156$42,786
Median debt$8,447
Payback
20-year net return-$153,776-$133,012

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

Which is cheaper, Cerritos College or Allan Hancock College?

Cerritos College, at $2,424 a year after aid versus $5,383 — a gap of $2,959 a year, or $11,836 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

Do Cerritos College or Allan Hancock College graduates earn more?

Allan Hancock College graduates report a median $42,786 ten years after entry, $1,630 more than the $41,156 at Cerritos 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?

31% of students finish at Cerritos 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.

Cerritos College vs Allan Hancock College: frequently asked questions

Is Cerritos College or Allan Hancock 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, Cerritos College or Allan Hancock College?
Cerritos College: $2,424/yr net price after aid versus $5,383/yr at Allan Hancock College — a difference of $2,959 a year, or about $11,836 over four years.
Do Cerritos College or Allan Hancock College graduates earn more?
Allan Hancock College graduates earn a median $42,786 ten years after entry, versus $41,156 at Cerritos College — a $1,630 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.