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

Public, El Cajon 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 $40,309 at Grossmont College. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureGrossmont CollegeAllan Hancock College
Net price / yr$5,311$5,383
Total net cost$10,622$21,532
Median earnings, 10 yrs$40,309$42,786
Median debt$8,625
Payback
20-year net return-$171,642-$133,012

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

Which is cheaper, Grossmont College or Allan Hancock College?

Grossmont College, at $5,311 a year after aid versus $5,383 — a gap of $72 a year, or $10,910 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

Do Grossmont College or Allan Hancock College graduates earn more?

Allan Hancock College graduates report a median $42,786 ten years after entry, $2,477 more than the $40,309 at Grossmont 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 Grossmont 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.

Grossmont College vs Allan Hancock College: frequently asked questions

Is Grossmont 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, Grossmont College or Allan Hancock College?
Grossmont College: $5,311/yr net price after aid versus $5,383/yr at Allan Hancock College — a difference of $72 a year, or about $10,910 over four years.
Do Grossmont College or Allan Hancock College graduates earn more?
Allan Hancock College graduates earn a median $42,786 ten years after entry, versus $40,309 at Grossmont College — a $2,477 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.