California State University-Dominguez Hills
Carson, California · Public · 93.3% acceptance rate
ROI Score: 71/100 · Fair Value
CSU Dominguez Hills scores 71 (Fair Value) on the CampusROI scale, presenting a split story: exceptional earnings premiums for students who complete, weighed down by a 42.8% completion rate and a 57.3% repayment rate that signal real financial difficulty among graduates. The earnings premium score of 94 is one of the highest in the dataset -- graduates who finish earn substantially more than they would without a degree. The problem is that fewer than half of enrollees reach that finish line. Registered Nursing anchors the institution: 185 graduates, $110,626 year-one earnings, $118,588 four-year earnings, A-grade ROI with median debt of $18,750. Business Administration (547 graduates, $63,662 four-year) and Psychology (538 graduates, $52,742 four-year) are the two largest programs by volume. Median debt is $13,807 -- low for a four-year institution -- which reflects the California State system's low tuition. Net price of $8,615 on $7,449 in-state tuition makes CSUDH one of the most affordable public universities in the country. The 93.3% acceptance rate confirms it is an access institution serving the Los Angeles region's diverse working population.
California State University-Dominguez Hills
Quick Numbers
| In-state tuition + fees | $7,449/yr |
| Out-of-state tuition + fees | $20,049/yr |
| Average net price | $8,615/yr |
| Total 4-year cost (net) | $34,460 |
| Median earnings (10yr post-entry) | $57,162 |
| Median earnings (6yr post-entry) | $38,300 |
| Median debt at graduation | $13,807 |
| Estimated monthly loan payment | $146 |
| Estimated payback period | 7.9 years |
| 6-year graduation rate | 42.8% |
| Undergraduate enrollment | 12,538 |
Data as of 2024-2025. Source: College Scorecard API (U.S. Department of Education).
The Full Financial Picture
The sticker price at California State University-Dominguez Hills is $7,449/year ($20,049/year out-of-state). But sticker price isn't what most students pay. After grants, scholarships, and financial aid, the average student pays a net price of $8,615/year, or roughly $34,460 over four years.
That net price varies significantly by family income. The lowest-income families (under $30,000/year) pay an average of $7,303/year, while families earning over $110,000 pay $18,947/year.
The median graduate leaves with $13,807 in federal loan debt, translating to an estimated monthly payment of $146 on a standard 10-year repayment plan. Against median earnings of $57,162 ten years out, the debt-to-earnings ratio is 0.36 - well within manageable territory.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after grants and scholarships, by income bracket.
| Family Income | Avg Net Price/Year |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $7,303 |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $8,090 |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $8,855 |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $12,323 |
| $110,001+ | $18,947 |
Cost by Income Bracket Explained
Lower-income families (under $30K)
Students from the 0-30000 bracket pay $7,303 net per year at CSUDH -- $29,212 over four years. Against nursing earnings of $110,626 year-one, the nursing program recovers full four-year cost in approximately three months of employment. For non-nursing programs, the low net price still supports manageable outcomes: even business graduates earning $43,905 year-one face a comfortable payback on $29,212 total investment. CSUDH is genuinely affordable for low-income students.
Middle-income families ($30K-$110K)
The 48001-75000 bracket pays $8,855 and the 75001-110000 bracket pays $12,323 per year. These are among the lowest net prices for a four-year university in California at these income levels. Middle-income families in LA who want their student to stay regional and keep costs low will find CSUDH's price-to-outcome ratio competitive, provided the student completes -- the 42.8% completion rate is the primary risk factor.
Higher-income families ($110K+)
Families above $110,000 pay $18,947 per year -- about $75,788 over four years. Even at this price, CSUDH's B+ and A-grade programs in nursing and business represent good value relative to private LA-area alternatives. The main consideration for higher-income families is whether the campus environment and peer network support their student's goals, given CSUDH's strong working-student orientation.
Earnings by Major
Top 10 most popular majors at California State University-Dominguez Hills with available earnings data.
| Major | Median Earnings | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Business Administration, Management, and Operations | $63,662 | B+ |
| Psychology | $52,742 | C+ |
| Teacher Education | $44,654 | B |
| Sociology | $55,100 | B |
| Registered Nursing | $118,588 | A |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $57,727 | B+ |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences | $62,164 | C+ |
| Kinesiology and Exercise Science | $51,185 | C |
| Biology | $54,405 | C+ |
| Computer Science | $59,603 | C+ |
Earnings reflect median 4-year post-completion (or 1-year where 4-year unavailable). Grades based on debt-to-earnings ratio.
Program Analysis
Why these programs deliver their earnings outcomes.
Registered Nursing
Nursing is CSUDH's flagship program: 185 graduates, $110,626 year-one earnings, $118,588 at year four, median debt $18,750, debt-to-earnings ratio 0.169 (ROI grade A). These are exceptional outcomes -- year-one nursing wages in the greater LA market are among the highest in the country, and CSUDH graduates enter a labor market where the LA County healthcare system creates substantial demand. Graduates recover the full cost of their education in under two years of post-graduation earnings.
Business Administration, Management, and Operations
Business Administration is the largest program by volume at 547 graduates, with $43,905 year-one and $63,662 four-year earnings. Median debt is $15,250 with a 0.347 debt-to-earnings ratio (ROI grade B+). For a program costing $8,615 per year net, a B+ ROI with $63,662 four-year earnings represents solid value. At this price point, business at CSUDH is difficult to fault on financial grounds.
Psychology
Psychology is the second-largest program at 538 graduates, with $29,727 year-one and $52,742 four-year earnings. Median debt $13,625, debt-to-earnings ratio 0.458 (ROI grade C+). The C+ reflects modest near-term earnings -- psychology graduates often pursue graduate school, and the Scorecard's six-year window captures them during and immediately after that transition. At CSUDH's price point, the debt burden is light enough to remain manageable even at lower starting salaries.
Criminal Justice and Corrections
Criminal Justice (172 graduates) earns $36,092 at year one and $57,727 at year four, with $12,256 median debt and a 0.340 debt-to-earnings ratio (ROI grade B+). A B+ outcome for a criminal justice program is strong -- the low debt figure at CSUDH's price makes the payback period short. Students targeting law enforcement, corrections, or legal support careers will find a financially defensible pathway here.
How Graduates Do
Earnings
Loan Repayment
| Metric | This School | Nat'l Avg |
|---|---|---|
| 1-year repayment | 52.3% | 52.0% |
| 3-year repayment | 57.3% | 62.0% |
| 5-year repayment | 54.8% | 68.0% |
| 7-year repayment | 56.9% | 72.0% |
Completion Rate
Admissions Snapshot
| Acceptance rate | 93.3% |
| Enrollment | 12,538 |
| Pell Grant recipients | 63.3% |
| Avg faculty salary (monthly) | $11,789 |
CSUDH admits 93.3% of applicants and reports no standardized test score ranges, operating as a near-open-access institution in the California State system. Enrollment is driven by location, cost, and program availability rather than selectivity. Students should inquire specifically about support resources for first-generation and working students, as the institution's challenges are in completion rather than access.
Compared to Similar Schools
Peer institutions matched by type, size, and selectivity.
CSUDH's Scorecard peers include Cal Poly SLO, CSU Bakersfield, Western Washington, Portland State, and Oakland University. Among California State schools, CSUDH has an unusually strong nursing program that elevates its earnings premium score well above what its aggregate completion rate would predict. CSU Bakersfield and Western Washington have higher completion rates than CSUDH's 42.8%, which tempers enthusiasm for CSUDH despite its cost advantage. Among Los Angeles-area public options, CSUDH offers exceptional nursing outcomes and near-zero-net-cost education for qualified lower-income students.
| School | ROI | Net Price | 10yr Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| California State University-Dominguez Hills (this school) | 71 | $8,615 | $57,162 |
| California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo | 96 | $16,665 | $90,768 |
| California State University-Bakersfield | 75 | $5,652 | $59,009 |
| Western Washington University | 72 | $21,193 | $62,569 |
| Oakland University | 71 | $9,120 | $58,612 |
| Portland State University | 69 | $9,552 | $57,906 |
Who Thrives Here
CSUDH serves 12,538 undergraduates in Carson, California, drawing heavily from the South Bay and greater LA area. The Pell grant rate of 63.3% is among the highest in this dataset, reflecting a large population of first-generation, low-income students. No SAT or ACT data is reported, consistent with the university's test-optional practice. Students who need to work while in school, who are returning students, or who are community college transfers will find a welcoming institutional culture. The risk is that the low completion rate -- 42.8% -- suggests many students face barriers to finishing that the institution has not fully overcome.
The Verdict: A Reasonable Bet - With Caveats
California State University-Dominguez Hills offers fair financial value, though the ROI depends heavily on individual circumstances. The net cost of $8,615 per year leads to $34,460 over four years, while graduates earn a median of $57,162 a decade out. The payback period of 7.9 years is about average - not bad, but not a standout either.
Key strengths include strong earnings premium over high school graduates, manageable debt relative to earnings. However, the data also shows a 42.8% graduation rate and concerning loan repayment rates.
Median debt of $13,807 is very manageable against $57,162 in annual earnings - well within the financial advisor rule of thumb that total debt should not exceed first-year salary.
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Data: College Scorecard API (U.S. Department of Education)
Vintage: 2024-2025 · Last updated: 2026-03-25
Earnings reflect median outcomes for all federal financial aid recipients. Individual results vary by major, effort, and career path.