Head-to-head comparison
California State University-Dominguez Hills vs Ohlone 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 Fremont, CA
Ohlone College
- Net price / year
- $11,130
- Earnings, 10 years
- $54,278
- Payback
- 3.8 yrs
Ohlone College has the better ROI: it clears its 2-year net cost of $22,260 in 3.8 years versus 3.9 years at California State University-Dominguez Hills, on median earnings of $54,278 vs $57,162 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | California State University-Dominguez Hills | Ohlone College |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $8,615 | $11,130 |
| Total net cost | $34,460 | $22,260 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $57,162 | $54,278 |
| Median debt | $13,807 | — |
| Payback | 3.9 yrs | 3.8 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $141,580 | $96,100 |
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 Ohlone College?
California State University-Dominguez Hills, at $8,615 a year after aid versus $11,130 — a gap of $2,515 a year, or $12,200 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 Ohlone College graduates earn more?
California State University-Dominguez Hills graduates report a median $57,162 ten years after entry, $2,884 more than the $54,278 at Ohlone 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?
52% of students finish at Ohlone 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.