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

Public, Whittier CA · vs · Public, Santa Maria CA

The verdict

Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Rio Hondo College comes closer — median earnings $44,950 against a $57,516 total, vs $42,786 at Allan Hancock College. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureRio Hondo CollegeAllan Hancock College
Net price / yr$14,379$5,383
Total net cost$57,516$21,532
Median earnings, 10 yrs$44,950$42,786
Median debt$5,500
Payback
20-year net return-$125,716-$133,012

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

Which is cheaper, Rio Hondo College or Allan Hancock College?

Allan Hancock College, at $5,383 a year after aid versus $14,379 — a gap of $8,996 a year, or $35,984 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

Do Rio Hondo College or Allan Hancock College graduates earn more?

Rio Hondo College graduates report a median $44,950 ten years after entry, $2,164 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?

26% of students finish at Allan Hancock College, against 25% at Rio Hondo 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.

Rio Hondo College vs Allan Hancock College: frequently asked questions

Is Rio Hondo College or Allan Hancock College a better value?
Rio Hondo 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, Rio Hondo College or Allan Hancock College?
Allan Hancock College: $5,383/yr net price after aid versus $14,379/yr at Rio Hondo College — a difference of $8,996 a year, or about $35,984 over four years.
Do Rio Hondo College or Allan Hancock College graduates earn more?
Rio Hondo College graduates earn a median $44,950 ten years after entry, versus $42,786 at Allan Hancock College — a $2,164 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.