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

Public, Modesto CA · vs · Public, Santa Maria CA

The verdict

Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Modesto Junior College comes closer — median earnings $42,368 against a $5,636 total, vs $42,786 at Allan Hancock College. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureModesto Junior CollegeAllan Hancock College
Net price / yr$2,818$5,383
Total net cost$5,636$21,532
Median earnings, 10 yrs$42,368$42,786
Median debt
Payback
20-year net return-$125,476-$133,012

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

Which is cheaper, Modesto Junior College or Allan Hancock College?

Modesto Junior College, at $2,818 a year after aid versus $5,383 — a gap of $2,565 a year, or $15,896 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

Do Modesto Junior College or Allan Hancock College graduates earn more?

Allan Hancock College graduates report a median $42,786 ten years after entry, $418 more than the $42,368 at Modesto Junior 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?

30% of students finish at Modesto Junior 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.

Modesto Junior College vs Allan Hancock College: frequently asked questions

Is Modesto Junior College or Allan Hancock College a better value?
Modesto Junior 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, Modesto Junior College or Allan Hancock College?
Modesto Junior College: $2,818/yr net price after aid versus $5,383/yr at Allan Hancock College — a difference of $2,565 a year, or about $15,896 over four years.
Do Modesto Junior College or Allan Hancock College graduates earn more?
Allan Hancock College graduates earn a median $42,786 ten years after entry, versus $42,368 at Modesto Junior College — a $418 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.