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.
Understanding institutional priorities and student support
CSU Dominguez Hills enrolls 61.0% Pell-eligible students, indicating that a majority of the student body comes from lower-income families with household incomes typically below $50,000. The university serves 59.1% first-generation students, meaning nearly 6 in 10 enrolled students are the first in their families to attend college. Additionally, 52.8% of students transfer from other institutions, primarily community colleges, reflecting the university's role in supporting degree completion for non-traditional educational pathways. This student composition demonstrates the university's effectiveness in serving populations historically underrepresented in higher education. The high proportion of transfer students indicates strong articulation agreements with community colleges and supportive policies for credit transfer. Students from diverse economic and educational backgrounds should view these demographics as evidence of institutional commitment to accessibility and inclusion. The university's student body reflects the demographic diversity of the greater Los Angeles area, creating a learning environment where students from varied backgrounds can connect and support each other's educational journeys.
Given CSU Dominguez Hills' 91% acceptance rate, admission is accessible for most academically prepared students. However, students seeking alternatives may consider these options for different geographic locations, outcomes, or cost structures.
Strong options in your region with comparable outcomes.
CSU Dominguez Hills maintains a 65.6% freshman retention rate and a 46.9% six-year graduation rate. While these figures fall below peer medians of 83.7% retention and 65.9% completion, they reflect the challenges faced by institutions serving high proportions of first-generation and lower-income students. Notably, Pell-eligible students graduate at a 58.9% rate, which exceeds the overall completion rate by 12 percentage points. This positive Pell gap indicates that the university provides particularly strong support systems for lower-income students once they establish momentum toward degree completion. The higher Pell completion rate suggests that financial aid packaging and student support services effectively address barriers facing economically disadvantaged students. Students who gain admission should expect to encounter comprehensive support resources designed to address the specific challenges facing first-generation and transfer students. The university's success with Pell-eligible populations indicates institutional expertise in supporting students from diverse backgrounds through degree completion.
Similar quality tier in West (#2102 ranked)
Schools with comparable admission profiles — useful for building a balanced list.
Stronger graduate earnings at comparable price points.
Build a balanced list with schools at different selectivity and price points.
Explore More Schools