At $3,659/yr net price, California State University-Dominguez Hills graduates earn $57,162/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $23,162/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $3,659 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $14,636 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $57,162/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$23,162/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 0.6 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 46.9% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $13,807 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $2,624/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $2,970/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $4,942/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $8,028/yr |
| $110,001+ | $12,878/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Master | $117,274 | $23,500 |
| Quality Control and Safety Technologies/Technicians. | Master | $110,878 | |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Bachelor | $93,875 | $10,000 |
| Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions. | Bachelor | $86,867 | $19,579 |
| Education, General. | Master | $74,576 | $20,500 |
| Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions. | Master | $69,757 | $39,187 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Master | $69,338 | $20,500 |
| Special Education and Teaching. | Master | $67,324 | |
| Computer Science. | Bachelor | $60,320 | $16,589 |
| Social Work. | Master | $60,096 | $38,800 |
The Risk Factor
46.9% of students at California State University-Dominguez Hills graduate within 6 years. More than half of students finish, but the dropout rate is a real factor in whether this investment pays off.
Analysis
California State University-Dominguez Hills gives you one of the cheapest tickets into a bachelor's degree in the Los Angeles area, and that low cost is the strongest part of its financial case. Median debt sits under $14,000, and with median earnings above $57,000 a decade out, most degrees here pay for themselves quickly. The risk is not the price. It's finishing.
A 47% graduation rate and a 66% retention rate mean roughly a third of you leave before sophomore year, and more than half never finish. Debt without a degree is the worst outcome at any school, and here the odds of that are real. The cheap net price only works in your favor if you walk out with the diploma.
Your major matters enormously. Nursing is the clear winner, with graduates earning near $94,000 while carrying just $10,000 in debt. Clinical/medical laboratory science pays in the mid-$80,000s. Computer science lands around $60,000. Both feed directly into the healthcare and tech employers across greater LA. Human resources management, at roughly $45,000, sits below the school's own median and carries a weak payoff for the time and cost. Business graduates earn around $55,000 but leave with about $25,000 in debt, the highest on this list, so choose it deliberately.
The price tiers reward lower-income families most. If your family earns under $48,000, you pay under $3,000 a year. Above $110,000, you pay closer to $13,000, still low for a four-year degree in California. Either way, the cost is manageable.
Pick this school if you're aiming at nursing, lab science, or computing and you're committed to finishing. Look elsewhere if you want a major with soft earnings here or you're unsure you'll persist through graduation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is California State University-Dominguez Hills worth the money?
CSU Dominguez Hills offers strong value with a low net price of $3,659 per year and median debt of only $13,807. The nursing programs deliver excellent returns with graduates earning over $90,000, though other majors show more modest outcomes.
What are the highest paying majors at California State University-Dominguez Hills?
Nursing programs at CSU Dominguez Hills lead in earnings, with some graduates making over $117,000 annually. Quality control and safety technology graduates earn around $110,000, while education majors typically earn $74,576.
How much debt do California State University-Dominguez Hills graduates have?
CSU Dominguez Hills graduates leave with a median debt of $13,807, which is manageable given the low attendance cost. This debt level is reasonable for most career paths, especially for nursing graduates who earn strong starting salaries.
What is the graduation rate at California State University-Dominguez Hills?
Only 47% of students graduate from CSU Dominguez Hills within six years. This low completion rate means many students may not finish their degree, which significantly impacts the return on investment for those who don't graduate.