California State University-Dominguez Hills vs University of San Francisco: which has better ROI?
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 University of San Francisco, on median earnings of $57,162 vs $89,812 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | California State University-Dominguez Hills | University of San Francisco |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $8,615 | $41,431 |
| Total net cost | $34,460 | $165,724 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $57,162 | $89,812 |
| Median debt | $13,807 | $23,000 |
| Payback | 3.9 yrs | 4 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $141,580 | $663,316 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, California State University-Dominguez Hills or University of San Francisco?
California State University-Dominguez Hills, at $8,615 a year after aid versus $41,431 — a gap of $32,816 a year, or $131,264 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 University of San Francisco graduates earn more?
University of San Francisco graduates report a median $89,812 ten years after entry, $32,650 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 University of San Francisco?
California State University-Dominguez Hills: its completers carry a median $13,807 in federal loans versus $23,000 at University of San Francisco, a difference of $9,193. 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 University of San Francisco, 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.