Head-to-head comparison
California State University-Dominguez Hills vs Saint Mary's College of California: 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 Moraga, CA
Saint Mary's College of California
- Net price / year
- $30,378
- Earnings, 10 years
- $78,812
- Payback
- 4 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 years at Saint Mary's College of California, on median earnings of $57,162 vs $78,812 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | California State University-Dominguez Hills | Saint Mary's College of California |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $8,615 | $30,378 |
| Total net cost | $34,460 | $121,512 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $57,162 | $78,812 |
| Median debt | $13,807 | $23,691 |
| Payback | 3.9 yrs | 4 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $141,580 | $487,528 |
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 Saint Mary's College of California?
California State University-Dominguez Hills, at $8,615 a year after aid versus $30,378 — a gap of $21,763 a year, or $87,052 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 Saint Mary's College of California graduates earn more?
Saint Mary's College of California graduates report a median $78,812 ten years after entry, $21,650 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 Saint Mary's College of California?
California State University-Dominguez Hills: its completers carry a median $13,807 in federal loans versus $23,691 at Saint Mary's College of California, a difference of $9,884. 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?
70% of students finish at Saint Mary's College of California, 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.