Degree Dividend
Sourced from federal dataEvery figure datedNo rankings for sale

California State University-Dominguez Hills vs Saint Mary's College of California: which has better ROI?

Public, Carson CA · vs · Private nonprofit, Moraga CA

By the Degree Dividend editorial data teamEvery figure verified against its federal source — methodologyData updated June 2026

The verdict

California State University-Dominguez Hills has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $34,460 in 3.9 years versus 4 years at Saint Mary's College of California, on median earnings of $57,162 vs $78,812 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

Share
Head to head
MeasureCalifornia State University-Dominguez HillsSaint Mary's College of California
Net price / yr$8,615$30,378
Total net cost$34,460$121,512
Median earnings, 10 yrs$57,162$78,812
Median debt$13,807$23,691
Payback3.9 yrs4 yrs
20-year net return$141,580$487,528

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

Which is cheaper, California State University-Dominguez Hills or Saint Mary's College of California?

California State University-Dominguez Hills, at $8,615 a year after aid versus $30,378 — a gap of $21,763 a year, or $87,052 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 Saint Mary's College of California graduates earn more?

Saint Mary's College of California graduates report a median $78,812 ten years after entry, $21,650 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 Saint Mary's College of California?

California State University-Dominguez Hills: its completers carry a median $13,807 in federal loans versus $23,691 at Saint Mary's College of California, a difference of $9,884. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.

Which graduates more of its students?

70% of students finish at Saint Mary's College 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 Saint Mary's College of California: frequently asked questions

Is California State University-Dominguez Hills or Saint Mary's College of California a better value?
California State University-Dominguez Hills. It clears its $34,460 net cost in about 3.9 years versus 4 years at Saint Mary's College of California, on median earnings of $57,162 vs $78,812 ten years out.
Which is cheaper, California State University-Dominguez Hills or Saint Mary's College of California?
California State University-Dominguez Hills: $8,615/yr net price after aid versus $30,378/yr at Saint Mary's College of California — a difference of $21,763 a year, or about $87,052 over four years.
Do California State University-Dominguez Hills or Saint Mary's College of California graduates earn more?
Saint Mary's College of California graduates earn a median $78,812 ten years after entry, versus $57,162 at California State University-Dominguez Hills — a $21,650 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.