Head-to-head comparison
California State University-Dominguez Hills vs Mission 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 Santa Clara, CA
Mission College
- Net price / year
- $5,080
- Earnings, 10 years
- $50,936
- 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 Mission College, on median earnings of $57,162 vs $50,936 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | California State University-Dominguez Hills | Mission College |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $8,615 | $5,080 |
| Total net cost | $34,460 | $10,160 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $57,162 | $50,936 |
| Median debt | $13,807 | — |
| Payback | 3.9 yrs | 3.9 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $141,580 | $41,360 |
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 Mission College?
Mission College, at $5,080 a year after aid versus $8,615 — a gap of $3,535 a year, or $24,300 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 Mission College graduates earn more?
California State University-Dominguez Hills graduates report a median $57,162 ten years after entry, $6,226 more than the $50,936 at Mission 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?
43% of students finish at California State University-Dominguez Hills, against 39% at Mission College. 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.