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

Public, Orange CA · vs · Public, Santa Maria CA

The verdict

Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Santiago Canyon College comes closer — median earnings $44,956 against a $4,258 total, vs $42,786 at Allan Hancock College. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureSantiago Canyon CollegeAllan Hancock College
Net price / yr$2,129$5,383
Total net cost$4,258$21,532
Median earnings, 10 yrs$44,956$42,786
Median debt$5,125
Payback
20-year net return-$72,338-$133,012

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

Which is cheaper, Santiago Canyon College or Allan Hancock College?

Santiago Canyon College, at $2,129 a year after aid versus $5,383 — a gap of $3,254 a year, or $17,274 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

Do Santiago Canyon College or Allan Hancock College graduates earn more?

Santiago Canyon College graduates report a median $44,956 ten years after entry, $2,170 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?

48% of students finish at Santiago Canyon 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.

Santiago Canyon College vs Allan Hancock College: frequently asked questions

Is Santiago Canyon College or Allan Hancock College a better value?
Santiago Canyon 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, Santiago Canyon College or Allan Hancock College?
Santiago Canyon College: $2,129/yr net price after aid versus $5,383/yr at Allan Hancock College — a difference of $3,254 a year, or about $17,274 over four years.
Do Santiago Canyon College or Allan Hancock College graduates earn more?
Santiago Canyon College graduates earn a median $44,956 ten years after entry, versus $42,786 at Allan Hancock College — a $2,170 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.