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

Public, Rancho Cucamonga CA · vs · Public, Santa Maria CA

The verdict

Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Chaffey College comes closer — median earnings $42,975 against a $11,344 total, vs $42,786 at Allan Hancock College. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureChaffey CollegeAllan Hancock College
Net price / yr$5,672$5,383
Total net cost$11,344$21,532
Median earnings, 10 yrs$42,975$42,786
Median debt
Payback
20-year net return-$119,044-$133,012

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

Which is cheaper, Chaffey College or Allan Hancock College?

Allan Hancock College, at $5,383 a year after aid versus $5,672 — a gap of $289 a year, or $10,188 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

Do Chaffey College or Allan Hancock College graduates earn more?

Chaffey College graduates report a median $42,975 ten years after entry, $189 more than the $42,786 at Allan Hancock 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?

36% of students finish at Chaffey 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.

Chaffey College vs Allan Hancock College: frequently asked questions

Is Chaffey College or Allan Hancock College a better value?
Chaffey 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, Chaffey College or Allan Hancock College?
Allan Hancock College: $5,383/yr net price after aid versus $5,672/yr at Chaffey College — a difference of $289 a year, or about $10,188 over four years.
Do Chaffey College or Allan Hancock College graduates earn more?
Chaffey College graduates earn a median $42,975 ten years after entry, versus $42,786 at Allan Hancock College — a $189 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.