California State University-Dominguez Hills
California State University-Dominguez Hills — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
California State University-Dominguez Hills at a Glance
California State University, Dominguez Hills is a public university in Carson, California, United States. It was founded in 1960 and is part of the California State University (CSU) system.
1960
66 years old
$27M
$26.55 million (2024)
14,262
12,473 undergrad · 1,789 grad
678
346 acres
Identity
Is California State University-Dominguez Hills Worth It?
California State University-Dominguez Hills delivers solid financial returns for its graduates. At $8,615/year, it's priced 58% below average, while graduates go on to earn $57,162 — 6% above the national average.
The investment pays for itself in just 0.6 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
A 45% graduation rate is a serious red flag — fewer than 4 in 10 students finish. Those who don't graduate may still carry student debt without the higher-earning credential to show for it.
With a 93% acceptance rate, admission is essentially open — the question isn't whether you'll get in, but whether the investment will pay off.
Bottom line: California State University-Dominguez Hills delivers strong financial returns that justify the investment for most students.
How California State University-Dominguez Hills compares to peer public colleges of similar tier in CA
Ranked #18 of 142 on value score. Peers are matched by size, median earnings, SAT, and admission rate — not just geography.
| Rank | College | Value | Net price / yr | Median earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | California State University-Bakersfield | 100 | $5,652 | $59,009 |
| #2 | California State University-Stanislaus | 100 | $6,067 | $63,188 |
| #3 | California State University-San Bernardino | 100 | $4,564 | $59,977 |
| #4 | California State University-Los Angeles | 100 | $3,967 | $59,211 |
| #5 | Foothill College | 100 | $7,653 | $57,072 |
| #6 | Skyline College | 100 | $1,738 | $55,702 |
| #18 | California State University-Dominguez Hills | 74 | $8,615 | $57,162 |
Peer group: public colleges within ±60% of California State University-Dominguez Hills's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 19 in CA.
Best Programs at California State University-Dominguez Hills
The highest-earning program at California State University-Dominguez Hills is Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at $89,400/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is History at $21,900/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing graduate from California State University-Dominguez Hills earns $89,400, while a History graduate earns $21,900. That's more than a 2× difference from the same institution. Choose your program carefully — it's the single biggest lever you control.
Debt also varies by program: Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing graduates carry $16,806 in median debt vs. $13,500 for History.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $8,615/yr net price × 4 years
Earnings Premium
vs. national average of $53,787/yr
Payback Period
Time to recoup the total cost through higher earnings
10-Year Net Gain
Median earnings over 10 years minus total cost of attendance
Programs & Earnings by Major
Graduate earnings data by field of study (4 years after graduation):
| Major | Earnings (4yr) | Earnings (1yr) | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $89,400 | $89,400 | $16,806 |
| Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions | $67,600 | $67,600 | $19,356 |
| Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services, Other | $56,600 | $56,600 | $24,875 |
| Human Resources Management and Services | $43,700 | $43,700 | $14,125 |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General | $41,000 | $41,000 | $16,500 |
| Public Administration | $40,800 | $40,800 | $18,869 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $39,000 | $39,000 | $15,159 |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services | $33,700 | $33,700 | $14,500 |
| Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication | $32,800 | $32,800 | $16,008 |
| Community Organization and Advocacy | $31,200 | $31,200 | $14,828 |
| Sociology | $30,800 | $30,800 | $12,592 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $29,900 | $29,900 | $12,500 |
| Political Science and Government | $29,800 | $29,800 | $12,375 |
| Psychology, Other | $28,500 | $28,500 | $10,110 |
| Communication and Media Studies | $27,200 | $27,200 | $15,250 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $26,500 | $26,500 | $13,375 |
| Health Professions and Related Clinical Sciences, Other | $25,600 | $25,600 | $18,206 |
| Biology, General | $25,400 | $25,400 | $17,404 |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | $25,200 | $25,200 | $16,500 |
| Psychology, General | $25,100 | $25,100 | $12,525 |
| Health and Physical Education/Fitness | $24,000 | $24,000 | $14,947 |
| Radio, Television, and Digital Communication | $23,700 | $23,700 | $15,000 |
| Design and Applied Arts | $22,300 | $22,300 | $19,265 |
| History | $21,900 | $21,900 | $13,500 |
Similar Colleges in CA
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- public
- Location
- Carson, CA
- Student Body
- 12,538 students
- Admission Rate
- 93%
- Graduation Rate
- 45%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $8,615
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $57,162
- Median Student Debt
- $13,807