Head-to-head comparison
California State University-Dominguez Hills vs Las Positas College: 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 Livermore, CA
Las Positas College
- Net price / year
- $5,377
- Earnings, 10 years
- $51,088
- Payback
- 3.9 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 3.9 years at Las Positas College, on median earnings of $57,162 vs $51,088 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | California State University-Dominguez Hills | Las Positas College |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $8,615 | $5,377 |
| Total net cost | $34,460 | $10,754 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $57,162 | $51,088 |
| Median debt | $13,807 | — |
| Payback | 3.9 yrs | 3.9 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $141,580 | $43,806 |
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 Las Positas College?
Las Positas College, at $5,377 a year after aid versus $8,615 — a gap of $3,238 a year, or $23,706 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 Las Positas College graduates earn more?
California State University-Dominguez Hills graduates report a median $57,162 ten years after entry, $6,074 more than the $51,088 at Las Positas College. 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 graduates more of its students?
53% of students finish at Las Positas College, 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.