Degree Dividend
Sourced from federal dataEvery figure datedNo rankings for sale

California State University-Dominguez Hills vs Dominican University of California: which has better ROI?

Public, Carson CA · vs · Private nonprofit, San Rafael CA

The verdict

Dominican University of California has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $141,332 in 3.9 years versus 3.9 years at California State University-Dominguez Hills, on median earnings of $84,713 vs $57,162 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

Share
Head to head
MeasureCalifornia State University-Dominguez HillsDominican University of California
Net price / yr$8,615$35,333
Total net cost$34,460$141,332
Median earnings, 10 yrs$57,162$84,713
Median debt$13,807$27,000
Payback3.9 yrs3.9 yrs
20-year net return$141,580$585,728

College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.

Which is cheaper, California State University-Dominguez Hills or Dominican University of California?

California State University-Dominguez Hills, at $8,615 a year after aid versus $35,333 — a gap of $26,718 a year, or $106,872 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

Do California State University-Dominguez Hills or Dominican University of California graduates earn more?

Dominican University of California graduates report a median $84,713 ten years after entry, $27,551 more than the $57,162 at California State University-Dominguez Hills. Both are institution-wide medians from federal tax records, so a high-paying major at the lower school can beat the average at the higher one.

Which leaves students with less debt, California State University-Dominguez Hills or Dominican University of California?

California State University-Dominguez Hills: its completers carry a median $13,807 in federal loans versus $27,000 at Dominican University of California, a difference of $13,193. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.

Which graduates more of its students?

78% of students finish at Dominican University of California, against 43% at California State University-Dominguez Hills. Completion matters to the ROI arithmetic because a degree that is never finished still carries its cost and its debt, but earns none of the graduate premium above the $48,360 high-school baseline.

California State University-Dominguez Hills vs Dominican University of California: frequently asked questions

Is California State University-Dominguez Hills or Dominican University of California a better value?
Dominican University of California. It clears its $141,332 net cost in about 3.9 years versus 3.9 years at California State University-Dominguez Hills, on median earnings of $84,713 vs $57,162 ten years out.
Which is cheaper, California State University-Dominguez Hills or Dominican University of California?
California State University-Dominguez Hills: $8,615/yr net price after aid versus $35,333/yr at Dominican University of California — a difference of $26,718 a year, or about $106,872 over four years.
Do California State University-Dominguez Hills or Dominican University of California graduates earn more?
Dominican University of California graduates earn a median $84,713 ten years after entry, versus $57,162 at California State University-Dominguez Hills — a $27,551 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.