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

Public, Santa Ana CA · vs · Public, Santa Maria CA

The verdict

Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Santa Ana College comes closer — median earnings $43,552 against a $12,532 total, vs $42,786 at Allan Hancock College. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureSanta Ana CollegeAllan Hancock College
Net price / yr$3,133$5,383
Total net cost$12,532$21,532
Median earnings, 10 yrs$43,552$42,786
Median debt$6,871
Payback
20-year net return-$108,692-$133,012

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

Which is cheaper, Santa Ana College or Allan Hancock College?

Santa Ana College, at $3,133 a year after aid versus $5,383 — a gap of $2,250 a year, or $9,000 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

Do Santa Ana College or Allan Hancock College graduates earn more?

Santa Ana College graduates report a median $43,552 ten years after entry, $766 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?

31% of students finish at Santa Ana 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.

Santa Ana College vs Allan Hancock College: frequently asked questions

Is Santa Ana College or Allan Hancock College a better value?
Santa Ana 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, Santa Ana College or Allan Hancock College?
Santa Ana College: $3,133/yr net price after aid versus $5,383/yr at Allan Hancock College — a difference of $2,250 a year, or about $9,000 over four years.
Do Santa Ana College or Allan Hancock College graduates earn more?
Santa Ana College graduates earn a median $43,552 ten years after entry, versus $42,786 at Allan Hancock College — a $766 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.