Degree Dividend
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City College of San Francisco vs Allan Hancock College: which has better ROI?

Public, San Francisco CA · vs · Public, Santa Maria CA

The verdict

Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but City College of San Francisco comes closer — median earnings $45,805 against a $27,624 total, vs $42,786 at Allan Hancock College. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureCity College of San FranciscoAllan Hancock College
Net price / yr$6,906$5,383
Total net cost$27,624$21,532
Median earnings, 10 yrs$45,805$42,786
Median debt$8,218
Payback
20-year net return-$78,724-$133,012

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

Which is cheaper, City College of San Francisco or Allan Hancock College?

Allan Hancock College, at $5,383 a year after aid versus $6,906 — a gap of $1,523 a year, or $6,092 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

Do City College of San Francisco or Allan Hancock College graduates earn more?

City College of San Francisco graduates report a median $45,805 ten years after entry, $3,019 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?

40% of students finish at City College of San Francisco, 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.

City College of San Francisco vs Allan Hancock College: frequently asked questions

Is City College of San Francisco or Allan Hancock College a better value?
City College of San Francisco 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, City College of San Francisco or Allan Hancock College?
Allan Hancock College: $5,383/yr net price after aid versus $6,906/yr at City College of San Francisco — a difference of $1,523 a year, or about $6,092 over four years.
Do City College of San Francisco or Allan Hancock College graduates earn more?
City College of San Francisco graduates earn a median $45,805 ten years after entry, versus $42,786 at Allan Hancock College — a $3,019 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.