California State University-Dominguez Hills
California State University-Dominguez Hills has an acceptance rate of 93.3%, annual tuition of $7,449, average net price of $8,615, and a national rank of #655 (Grade B), with a 42.8% graduation rate within 150% of normal time, about 12,538 undergraduates, and median earnings of $58,922 four years after graduation. Figures come from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard and EDsmart's 2026 rankings.
California State University-Dominguez Hills is a public university in Carson, CA. Students most often pursue Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions and Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research & Clinical Nursing.
Inside the classroom, students benefit from a 21:1 student-faculty ratio, and 73.7% first-year retention. Faculty pair challenging syllabi with intentional mentoring so learners keep momentum even as expectations rise.
EDsmart calculates return on investment at 134.7%, roughly 84.8 points higher than typical outcomes. Expect the strongest outcomes for students who appreciate an encouraging campus with room to explore and career-focused learners aiming for high-impact outcomes.
Who is California State University-Dominguez Hills Best For?
A quick look at who tends to feel most at home here based on outcomes and campus context.
EDsmart Scores Summary
California State University-Dominguez Hills graduates 42.8% of students within 150% of normal time (the completion rate used in EDsmart rankings), with an 8-year award rate of 69.1% and keeps 73.7% of first-year students. Affordability earns an A compared with similar schools.
How we calculate this →Cost & Financial Aid
Quick Answers
The costs shown are averages. Use California State University-Dominguez Hills's net price calculator to get an estimate based on your family's financial situation.
Calculate Your Net Price →Total Degree Cost Summary
Annual Cost Comparison
Cost of Undergraduate Attendance
Costs based on full-time, first-time degree- or certificate-seeking undergraduates.
View cost of attendance line items
| Costs to Consider | Price |
|---|---|
| Tuition and Fees | $7,449 |
| Books and Supplies | $1,152 |
| On-Campus Room and Board | $18,444 |
| On-Campus Other Expenses | $3,880 |
| Total On-Campus Cost | $23,191 |
Tip: focus on the rows that match your living plan—commuters can swap in off-campus estimates while residential students should budget for housing, meals, and incidental fees.
Students Receiving Aid
Use these bars to gauge how many classmates rely on need-based dollars—lower Pell or loan shares may signal a wealthier student body or generous institutional grants.
EDsmart Insight: About 63.3% of California State University-Dominguez Hills students receive Pell Grants — well above the national average, highlighting ongoing affordability priorities.
Net Price by Family Income
Average annual net price after financial aid, based on family income. Your actual cost may vary depending on your specific financial situation.
Understanding These Numbers: Net price varies significantly by income level. Net prices range from $7,303 to $18,947 depending on family income. Use California State University-Dominguez Hills's net price calculator for a personalized estimate.
If your family earns $75K-$110K: Expect to pay around $12,323/year
If your family earns $110K+: Expect to pay around $18,947/year
See all income brackets →ROI & Career Outcomes
- Median Earnings (4 Years After Graduation) $58,922
- 10-Year Median Earnings $57,162
- Average Years to Graduate 5.1 years
- Average Student Debt $13,807
- Repayment Rate (3yr) 50.7%
- Employment Rate 88.4%
Graduate Earnings Distribution
Earnings range for California State University-Dominguez Hills graduates 6 years after enrollment, showing the 25th percentile, median, and 75th percentile. This illustrates the variation in outcomes across different majors and career paths.
California State University-Dominguez Hills vs. National Average
Comparison of key performance metrics showing how California State University-Dominguez Hills's outcomes compare to the national average across earnings, graduation rates, retention, ROI, and employment. This contextualizes California State University-Dominguez Hills's performance within the broader higher education landscape.
EDsmart Insight: California State University-Dominguez Hills graduates report median earnings of $58,922 four years after graduation, -2% above the national median. The 134.7% ROI indicates solid long-term value.
Acceptance & Selectivity
Getting In
- SAT Evidence-Based Reading Not reported
- SAT Math Not reported
- SAT Writing Not reported
- ACT Composite Not reported
- SAT & ACTNot required
- Undergraduate Enrollment 12,538
- Full-Time Students 76.8%
- Part-Time Students 23.2%
- Retention Rate 73.7%
- Grad Rate (150% time) 42.8%
- Grad Rate (8-year) 69.1%
- Student-Faculty Ratio 21:1
How to Get Into California State University-Dominguez Hills
1. Meet Academic Requirements: California State University-Dominguez Hills requires strong academic performance. Aim for test scores within the reported ranges and maintain a competitive GPA. Most admitted students rank in the top 10% of their high school class.
2. Build a Strong Application: Beyond test scores, focus on crafting compelling essays, securing strong letters of recommendation, and highlighting extracurricular activities that demonstrate leadership and commitment.
3. Understand Selectivity: With an acceptance rate of 93.3%, California State University-Dominguez Hills is relatively open. Consider applying early decision if available, as early applicants often have higher acceptance rates.
4. Financial Planning: Review the net price calculator and financial aid options early. Many students receive significant aid, making the actual cost lower than the sticker price.
Tip: Contact the admissions office directly for the most current application requirements, deadlines, and any special programs (like early decision or early action) that might improve your chances.
EDsmart Insight: With a 93.3% acceptance rate, California State University-Dominguez Hills is more accessible than highly selective schools. Meeting the test score ranges and maintaining a solid GPA significantly improves admission chances.
Academic Programs
Undergraduate Program Distribution
Breakdown of the most popular majors and fields of study among California State University-Dominguez Hills undergraduates. Business Administration, Management and Operations, Psychology, General, and Sociology draw the most students.
- Business Administration, Management and Operations 17.6%
- Psychology, General 15.2%
- Sociology 7.5%
- Criminal Justice and Corrections 6.2%
- Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods 5.9%
- Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Hum 4.6%
See more majors
- Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, Gen 4.4%
- Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitnes 4.3%
Highest Earning Programs
Median earnings five years after graduation for each program. These figures help illustrate ROI by field of study and degree level.
Undergraduate Programs (Bachelor's Degrees)
- 1. Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions $126,318
- 2. Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research & Clinical Nursing $122,899
- 3. Computer Science $96,640
Show additional high-earning majors
- 4. Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services, Other $76,693
- 5. Political Science and Government $71,822
- 6. Public Administration $65,441
- 7. Business Administration, Management and Operations $61,910
- 8. Computer and Information Sciences, General $60,375
- 9. Human Resources Management and Services $59,702
- 10. Psychology, Other $57,044
Graduate Programs (Master's, Doctoral, Professional)
- 1. Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research & Clinical Nursing (Master's Degree) $148,290
- 2. Quality Control and Safety Technologies/Technicians (Master's Degree) $120,947
- 3. Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degree) $101,906
Show additional graduate majors
- 4. Peace Studies and Conflict Resolution (Master's Degree) $97,885
- 5. Educational Administration and Supervision (Master's Degree) $96,352
- 6. Education, General (Master's Degree) $96,103
- 7. Special Education and Teaching (Master's Degree) $89,320
- 8. Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions (Master's Degree) $88,459
- 9. Health Professions and Related Clinical Sciences, Other (Master's Degree) $84,529
- 10. Public Administration (Master's Degree) $82,756
Program Choice Matters: Undergraduate: Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions grads earn $126,318—121% more than Psychology, Other ($57,044). Graduate: Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research & Clinical Nursing programs lead with $148,290 median earnings. Your program and degree level choice significantly impact career earnings.
Online Degrees & Distance Learning
College Scorecard reports fully online programs for California State University-Dominguez Hills. Below are the most popular options based on the number of recent graduates, followed by a quick look at the breadth of online offerings by degree level.
Source: U.S. Department of Education – College Scorecard
Most Popular Online Degrees
- Business Administration, Management and Operations (Bachelor's Degree, 578 graduates)
- Psychology, General (Bachelor's Degree, 499 graduates)
- Sociology (Bachelor's Degree, 246 graduates)
- Criminal Justice and Corrections (Bachelor's Degree, 203 graduates)
- Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods (Bachelor's Degree, 194 graduates)
What This School Offers Online, at a Glance
College Scorecard flags the following online degree and certificate programs for this institution. Expand each credential level to view the complete list of available subjects.
Online Bachelor's Degrees (44 programs)▼
- Business Administration, Management and Operations
- Psychology, General
- Sociology
- Criminal Justice and Corrections
- Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods
- Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities
- Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, General
- Health and Physical Education/Fitness
- Human Services, General
- Biology, General
- Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication
- English Language and Literature, General
- Computer and Information Sciences, General
- Communication and Media Studies
- Computer Science
- Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions
- Public Administration
- Radio, Television, and Digital Communication
- Fine and Studio Arts
- Political Science and Government
- Mathematics
- Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft
- History
- Film/Video and Photographic Arts
- Behavioral Sciences
- Journalism
- Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics
- Music
- Anthropology
- Ethnic, Cultural Minority, Gender, and Group Studies
- Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology
- Peace Studies and Conflict Resolution
- Human Resources Management and Services
- Physics
- Philosophy
- Chemistry
- Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences
- Quality Control and Safety Technologies/Technicians
- Psychology, Other
- Parks, Recreation and Leisure Studies
- Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other
- Geography and Cartography
- Economics
- Audiovisual Communications Technologies/Technicians
Online Master's Degrees (19 programs)▼
- Education, General
- Social Work
- Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions
- Student Counseling and Personnel Services
- Mental and Social Health Services and Allied Professions
- Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, General
- English Language and Literature, General
- Psychology, General
- Computer Science
- Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management
- Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities
- Special Education and Teaching
- Sociology
- Biology, General
- Natural Resources Conservation and Research
- Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas
- Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other
- Behavioral Sciences
- Educational Administration and Supervision
Online Graduate/Professional Certificates (9 programs)▼
- Student Counseling and Personnel Services
- Accounting and Related Services
- Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies
- Peace Studies and Conflict Resolution
- Design and Applied Arts
- Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities
- Geography and Cartography
- Computer and Information Sciences, General
- Communication Disorders Sciences and Services
Student Demographics
Student Population
- Total Undergraduate Enrollment 12,538
- Full-Time Students 76.8%
- Part-Time Students 23.2%
- Male Students 40.2%
- Female Students 59.8%
- Caucasian 4.0%
- Asian 6.9%
- Hispanic 70.8%
- Black 12.6%
- Pell Grant Recipients 63.3%
Racial & Ethnic Diversity
Undergraduate student body composition by racial and ethnic background. This reflects California State University-Dominguez Hills's commitment to diversity and inclusion in admissions.
Gender Distribution
Gender breakdown of California State University-Dominguez Hills's undergraduate population. The university maintains a roughly balanced gender distribution across its student body.
Graduation Rate Equity Analysis
How well does California State University-Dominguez Hills support students from different economic backgrounds?
What this means: Lower-income students (Pell Grant recipients) graduate at nearly the same rate as higher-income students, indicating strong institutional support for all economic backgrounds.
Compare graduation rates by race/ethnicity
Graduation Rates by Race/Ethnicity
Six-year graduation rates for different demographic groups at California State University-Dominguez Hills, compared to national averages. This shows whether the institution supports all students equitably.
EDsmart Insight: California State University-Dominguez Hills has a diverse student body, with 4.0% identifying as White. 63.3% of students receive Pell Grants, well above the national average, indicating strong support for low-income students.
Graduation Rate Equity Analysis
How well does California State University-Dominguez Hills support students from different economic backgrounds?
What this means: Lower-income students (Pell Grant recipients) graduate at nearly the same rate as higher-income students, indicating strong institutional support for all economic backgrounds.
Compare graduation rates by race/ethnicity
Graduation Rates by Race/Ethnicity
Six-year graduation rates for different demographic groups at California State University-Dominguez Hills, compared to national averages. This shows whether the institution supports all students equitably.
Our Take
California State University-Dominguez Hills serves as an affordable university for students seeking quality education without elite university costs. Ranked #655 nationally with a 134.7% ROI, the institution balances practical outcomes with budget-friendly pricing.
At $8,615 annually, students gain access to career-focused programs leading to $58,922 median earnings. The 42.8% graduation rate reflects reasonable completion metrics for a university. While 73.7% retention suggests adequate student support.
University Value: California State University-Dominguez Hills's Strengths
Ranked #655 with a B grade, California State University-Dominguez Hills prioritizes accessibility and local career connections over national prestige.
Primary Strengths: Universitys like California State University-Dominguez Hills excel at providing affordable education ($8,615 annually) with strong local employer relationships. Many programs emphasize practical skills and internships within the regional economy.
Best For: Students planning to work in the region after graduation benefit from established employer connections. Adult learners and part-time students appreciate flexible scheduling. First-generation students and budget-conscious families gain degrees without overwhelming debt.
Honest Assessment: California State University-Dominguez Hills's 73.7% retention and 42.8% graduation rate trail elite universities but align with typical university performance. Career outcomes ($58,922 median earnings) reflect regional job markets more than national opportunities.
Value Verdict: For students committed to regional careers, California State University-Dominguez Hills's 134.7% ROI and $8,615 cost deliver solid value. Those seeking national job mobility or prestigious credentials should compare against flagship state universities or targeted private scholarships.
Key Takeaways
- 42.8% graduation rate sits 19.7 points below the national 62.5% benchmark.
- 73.7% first-year retention is 3.1 points below the national norm of 76.8%.
- 134.7% return on investment is 84.8 points above the national 49.9% benchmark.
- Median earnings of $58,922 run about 2% lower than national outcomes four years after graduation.
- Average net price of $8,615 is roughly $11,464 lower than the national median of $20,079.
Helpfulness for Students
- 21:1 student-faculty ratio keeps mentorship close and courses discussion-sized.
- 73.7% first-year retention shows students stay engaged after the first year.
- 88.4% employment rate within three years sits 20.2 points above national outcomes.
- Budget carefully for clinical travel, off-campus housing, and practicum fees to avoid surprise costs.
- Compare aid offers from nearby public universities to weigh the premium for smaller classes.
- Compare aid offers from nearby public universities to weigh the premium for smaller classes.
EDsmart Expert Analysis
EDsmart rates California State University-Dominguez Hills—a public university in Carson, CA—at B overall. It is currently ranked #655 nationally Category results include Completion (B-), Support (C+), Career Outcomes (B), and Affordability (A).
Grades are assigned relative to EDsmart's national bachelor's cohort using standardized outcomes (2026 methodology); they reflect how a school compares to peers, not a fixed percentage of a raw point total.
About 73.7% of first-year students return; 42.8% graduate within 150% of normal time, with an 8-year award rate of 69.1%. Return on investment currently measures 134.7% for this program.
Why it matters: this snapshot shows how likely you are to stay on track academically and whether the outcomes justify the price tag. Letter grades summarize cohort-relative performance—not a single exam-style score.
EDsmart Financial Snapshot
Families pay about $8,615 on average after aid, compared with a published cost near $23,191.
Institutional and federal aid lower costs by roughly $14,576 per year.
Graduates leave with a median of $13,807 in federal loans, which lines up with national norms.
About 63.3% of students receive Pell Grants, giving a snapshot of the campus income mix.
Why it matters: lining up sticker price, aid, and typical debt helps you stress-test the budget before you commit.
EDsmart Career Snapshot
Median earnings come in near $58,922 four years after graduation. That sits about 2% below the national median.
Employment outcomes report about 88.4% of alumni working within three years.
Plan around an ROI of about 134.7% according to the Scorecard data.
Why it matters: pairing median earnings with employment rates gives you a sense of payback time after graduation.
EDsmart Admissions Snapshot
93.3% of applicants receive offers, so preparation and fit matter.
The admissions team encourages students to highlight academic strengths through transcripts, essays, and recommendations.
Prospective students can apply early for priority review and lean on the California State University-Dominguez Hills admissions site for deadlines, visit options, and counselor contacts.
Why it matters: knowing the admit rate and application expectations lets you map out testing, essays, and deadlines with less stress.
Your Decision Toolkit
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is California State University-Dominguez Hills's acceptance rate?
California State University-Dominguez Hills's acceptance rate is 93.3%, based on U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard admissions data.
How much does California State University-Dominguez Hills cost?
At California State University-Dominguez Hills, listed tuition and fees are $7,449 per year, and the average net price after aid is $8,615. Use the net price calculator on this page for a personalized estimate.
What is California State University-Dominguez Hills's ranking?
California State University-Dominguez Hills ranks #655 nationally in EDsmart's 2026 college rankings with an overall grade of B, based on completion, affordability, support, and career outcomes.
What is California State University-Dominguez Hills's graduation rate?
At California State University-Dominguez Hills, the graduation rate within 150% of normal time is 42.8% (the rate used in EDsmart rankings), College Scorecard 8-year award rate is 69.1%, and first-year retention is 73.7%.
What are California State University-Dominguez Hills's job outcomes?
Graduates of California State University-Dominguez Hills report median earnings of $58,922 four years after graduation, according to College Scorecard federal outcome data. Outcomes vary by major.
What is California State University-Dominguez Hills's student population?
California State University-Dominguez Hills enrolls about 12,538 undergraduate students, per College Scorecard enrollment data.
Contact Information
- Address Carson, CA 90747-0005
- Website www.csudh.edu
- Net Price Calculator Calculate Your Cost
- Financial AidView Financial Aid Information
- AccreditationWestern Association of Schools and Colleges Senior Colleges and University Commission (WASCSR)
- Endowment$24.2M
- Transfer Enrollment Rate3.2%