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

Public, Woodland Hills CA · vs · Public, Santa Maria CA

The verdict

Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Los Angeles Pierce College comes closer — median earnings $44,521 against a $26,540 total, vs $42,786 at Allan Hancock College. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureLos Angeles Pierce CollegeAllan Hancock College
Net price / yr$13,270$5,383
Total net cost$26,540$21,532
Median earnings, 10 yrs$44,521$42,786
Median debt$12,936
Payback
20-year net return-$103,320-$133,012

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

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

Allan Hancock College, at $5,383 a year after aid versus $13,270 — a gap of $7,887 a year, or $5,008 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

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

Los Angeles Pierce College graduates report a median $44,521 ten years after entry, $1,735 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?

46% of students finish at Los Angeles Pierce 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.

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

Is Los Angeles Pierce College or Allan Hancock College a better value?
Los Angeles Pierce 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, Los Angeles Pierce College or Allan Hancock College?
Allan Hancock College: $5,383/yr net price after aid versus $13,270/yr at Los Angeles Pierce College — a difference of $7,887 a year, or about $5,008 over four years.
Do Los Angeles Pierce College or Allan Hancock College graduates earn more?
Los Angeles Pierce College graduates earn a median $44,521 ten years after entry, versus $42,786 at Allan Hancock College — a $1,735 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.