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

Public, Monterey Park 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 $42,006 at East Los Angeles College. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureEast Los Angeles CollegeAllan Hancock College
Net price / yr$10,852$5,383
Total net cost$43,408$21,532
Median earnings, 10 yrs$42,006$42,786
Median debt$10,500
Payback
20-year net return-$170,488-$133,012

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

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

Allan Hancock College, at $5,383 a year after aid versus $10,852 — a gap of $5,469 a year, or $21,876 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

Do East Los Angeles College or Allan Hancock College graduates earn more?

Allan Hancock College graduates report a median $42,786 ten years after entry, $780 more than the $42,006 at East 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?

37% of students finish at East 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.

East Los Angeles College vs Allan Hancock College: frequently asked questions

Is East Los Angeles 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, East Los Angeles College or Allan Hancock College?
Allan Hancock College: $5,383/yr net price after aid versus $10,852/yr at East Los Angeles College — a difference of $5,469 a year, or about $21,876 over four years.
Do East Los Angeles College or Allan Hancock College graduates earn more?
Allan Hancock College graduates earn a median $42,786 ten years after entry, versus $42,006 at East Los Angeles College — a $780 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.