California State University-Dominguez Hills — ROI, Cost & Payback
California State University-Dominguez Hills charges a net price of $8,615/yr after aid — a 4-year total of $34,460. Graduates earn a median $57,162 ten years after entry, $8,802/yr above the $48,360 high-school baseline, clearing the total in 3.9 years — a 20-year net return of $141,580, a strong payback — the degree clears its cost fast. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
California State University-Dominguez Hills's 3.9-year payback ranks #274 of 1,280 US colleges we track — better ROI than 79% of them, and #60 of 334 in California.
| Measure | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Net price (after aid) | $8,615/yr | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Total net cost (4 yrs) | $34,460 | our math |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs after entry | $57,162 | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Earnings premium over HS baseline | $8,802/yr | our math |
| Median debt (completers) | $13,807 | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Payback | 3.9 yrs | our math |
| 20-year net return | $141,580 | our math |
College Scorecard (2026 release), institution-level · payback and returns are our math.
The arithmetic, on California State University-Dominguez Hills's own numbers. Net price $8,615 × 4 years = $34,460 total. Median earnings $57,162 − the $48,360 high-school baseline = $8,802 a year of premium. $34,460 ÷ $8,802 = 3.9 years to break even; twenty years of that premium minus the cost leaves $141,580. Future dollars are not discounted, and the earnings figure blends every major here — your programme can beat or miss it. Full method.
How much debt do California State University-Dominguez Hills students graduate with?
A median $13,807 in federal loans among completers, or 24% of the $57,162 its graduates earn ten years out — our math. The figure excludes private loans and students who left before finishing.
What share of California State University-Dominguez Hills students graduate?
43% finish their degree — 57% leave carrying the cost without the credential. Spread the $34,460 bill across that completion rate and the cohort pays $80,140 per graduate produced — our math, and the figure a payback number never shows.
Is California State University-Dominguez Hills expensive compared with other California colleges?
Its $8,615 net price runs $11,290 below the $19,905 median across the 334 California colleges we profile, and $45,160 less across the full degree.