As an Opportunity Builder institution, CSU Dominguez Hills combines broad educational access with exceptional affordability. The university serves 61.0% Pell-eligible students while maintaining debt levels well below peers, creating sustainable pathways to economic advancement.
With typical performance, reflecting moderate earnings relative to educational investment
With exceptional performance, reflecting extremely low costs and manageable debt levels
With excellent performance, indicating strong enrollment of Pell-eligible and first-generation students
With excellent performance, demonstrating effective conversion of access into economic advancement
Percentile rankings vs 1,600+ peer institutions. Higher is better.
Full AnalysisExceptional affordability with meaningful outcomes
California State University-Dominguez Hills ranks #48 nationally in Azimuth's comprehensive analysis, achieving exceptional performance at the 97.1st percentile. Located in Carson, California, this large public university maintains open access with a 91.3% admission rate while delivering strong economic mobility outcomes for diverse student populations.
CSU Dominguez Hills enrolls 61.0% Pell-eligible students and 59.1% first-generation students, demonstrating significant commitment to serving underrepresented populations. The university's transfer-friendly approach accommodates 52.8% transfer students, supporting non-traditional educational pathways.
Graduates earn $8,094 beyond expectations relative to similar student backgrounds, ranking at the 82nd percentile nationally for earnings uplift. This combination of broad educational access with strong economic outcomes places CSU Dominguez Hills within the Opportunity Builders quadrant, where institutions prioritize access while achieving meaningful post-graduation results.
CSU Dominguez Hills demonstrates exceptional value through its combination of low debt and meaningful earnings outcomes. Graduates earn a median of $57,162 ten years after enrollment, ranking in the 64th percentile nationally.
While earnings appear moderate, the institution generates $8,094 in earnings beyond expectations, placing it in the 82nd percentile for value-added performance. Low-income graduates earn $44,000, ranking in the top half nationally for this critical measure.
Students seeking affordable degree paths with strong economic mobility outcomes, particularly first-generation and Pell-eligible students. Well-suited for those prioritizing exceptional affordability alongside access to diverse academic programs, including high-value health professions and specialized technical fields.
California State University-Dominguez Hills admits 91.3% of applicants, meaning approximately 9 in 10 applicants receive an offer of admission. This places the university in the Open Access category, representing institutions that admit more than 75% of applicants.
The peer median admission rate of 78.1% indicates that CSU Dominguez Hills is more accessible than typical four-year institutions, admitting 13.2 percentage points more applicants than comparable schools. This high acceptance rate reflects the university's mission to provide broad educational access, particularly for first-generation and transfer students.
The open admission approach means that most academically prepared students can expect admission, though completing degree requirements remains the primary challenge. Students should view CSU Dominguez Hills as an accessible option that prioritizes opportunity over exclusivity.
The university's commitment to serving diverse populations makes it particularly welcoming to non-traditional students, including those transferring from community colleges or returning to education after time in the workforce. For students building college lists, CSU Dominguez Hills functions as a reliable option with predictable admission outcomes.
Based on federal data for students receiving aid. Actual costs may vary.
CSU Dominguez Hills demonstrates exceptional affordability with a published cost of attendance of $15,449 per year. This total includes $7,064 in in-state tuition, $16,886 for room and board, and $1,106 for books and supplies.
However, the average student pays just $3,659 after financial aid, representing savings of $11,790 annually. This net price falls dramatically below the peer median of $15,590, creating an $11,931 annual advantage for students and families.
The university's affordability index ranks at the 97.2nd percentile nationally, placing it among the most affordable institutions we track. For California residents, the low in-state tuition combined with substantial financial aid creates exceptional value.
The gap between sticker price and actual cost demonstrates the university's commitment to affordability through comprehensive aid packaging. Students should expect significant financial support regardless of family income level, though the greatest benefits accrue to lower-income families.
CSU Dominguez Hills graduates demonstrate steady earnings growth over time, with median earnings rising from $46,827 six years after enrollment to $53,788 at eight years and $57,162 at ten years. This represents 22.1% growth from the six-year mark, indicating consistent career advancement.
These outcomes are based on substantial cohorts of 4,343 graduates in the ten-year analysis, providing high confidence in reported figures. The university generates $8,094 in earnings beyond expectations compared to similar students nationally, achieving the 82nd percentile for this value-added measure.
Low-income graduates earn $44,000, demonstrating the institution's effectiveness in supporting economic mobility for disadvantaged populations. Earnings span from $33,459 at the 25th percentile to $82,789 at the 75th percentile, reflecting varied career trajectories across academic disciplines.
Approximately 22.3% of graduates continue to graduate or professional study, indicating balanced preparation for both workforce entry and advanced education pathways.
Blood Bank Technology Specialist.
49 graduates
Adult Health Nurse/Nursing.
130 graduates
Computer Science.
57 graduates
Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services, Other.
39 graduates
Public Administration, Other.
42 graduates
CSU Dominguez Hills offers 20 bachelor's degree programs with federal earnings data for comprehensive analysis. Blood Bank Technology Specialist ranks #1 nationally, producing 49 graduates with exceptional median earnings of $121,466 and a perfect value score of 100.0.
Adult Health Nurse ranks #12 nationally and #9 in California, graduating 130 students with median earnings of $115,301. Business Administration and Management represents the university's largest program, graduating 578 students with median earnings of $52,881 and ranking #158 nationally.
Psychology ranks #97 nationally, graduating 499 students with median earnings of $43,516. Applied/Public Sociology ranks #62 nationally, producing 246 graduates with median earnings of $44,954.
These programs demonstrate the institution's strength in health professions, business education, and social sciences, with several achieving top-tier national recognition in specialized fields.
Peer institutions with comparable quality and outcomes:
| School | State | Accept Rate | Median Earnings | Rank | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Cuny Brooklyn College Similar quality tier (#46 ranked) | NY | 54% | $60,752 | #46 | Compare |
Stony Brook University Similar quality tier (#49 ranked) | NY | 49% | $74,502 | #49 | Compare |
Texas State University Similar quality tier (#45 ranked) | TX | 89% | $56,906 | #45 | Compare |
San Francisco State University Similar quality tier in West (#44 ranked) | CA | 96% | $68,077 | #44 | Compare |
University Of Florida Similar quality tier (#50 ranked) | FL | 24% | $71,588 | #50 | Compare |
Comprehensive Analysis
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This is the California State University-Dominguez Hills hub overview page. For comprehensive institutional data including detailed charts and metrics, visit the full analysis at /school/california-state-university-dominguez-hills/analysis.