Head-to-head comparison
California State University-Dominguez Hills vs Charles R Drew University of Medicine and Science: which has better ROI?
Option A Carson, CA
California State University-Dominguez Hills
- Net price / year
- $8,615
- Earnings, 10 years
- $57,162
- Payback
- 3.9 yrs
Option B Los Angeles, CA
Charles R Drew University of Medicine and Science
- Net price / year
- $35,558
- Earnings, 10 years
- $83,438
- Payback
- 4.1 yrs
California State University-Dominguez Hills has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $34,460 in 3.9 years versus 4.1 years at Charles R Drew University of Medicine and Science, on median earnings of $57,162 vs $83,438 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | California State University-Dominguez Hills | Charles R Drew University of Medicine and Science |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $8,615 | $35,558 |
| Total net cost | $34,460 | $142,232 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $57,162 | $83,438 |
| Median debt | $13,807 | $18,750 |
| Payback | 3.9 yrs | 4.1 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $141,580 | $559,328 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
The short answer
Which is cheaper, California State University-Dominguez Hills or Charles R Drew University of Medicine and Science?
California State University-Dominguez Hills, at $8,615 a year after aid versus $35,558 — a gap of $26,943 a year, or $107,772 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
The short answer
Do California State University-Dominguez Hills or Charles R Drew University of Medicine and Science graduates earn more?
Charles R Drew University of Medicine and Science graduates report a median $83,438 ten years after entry, $26,276 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.
The short answer
Which leaves students with less debt, California State University-Dominguez Hills or Charles R Drew University of Medicine and Science?
California State University-Dominguez Hills: its completers carry a median $13,807 in federal loans versus $18,750 at Charles R Drew University of Medicine and Science, a difference of $4,943. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
The short answer
Which graduates more of its students?
43% of students finish at California State University-Dominguez Hills, against 30% at Charles R Drew University of Medicine and Science. 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.