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Head-to-head comparison

California State University-Dominguez Hills vs University of San Francisco: which has better ROI?

Public, Carson CA · vs · Private nonprofit, San Francisco CA

By the Degree Dividend editorial data teamEvery figure verified against its federal source — methodologyData updated June 2026

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 San Francisco, CA

University of San Francisco

Net price / year
$41,431
Earnings, 10 years
$89,812
Payback
4 yrs
The verdict

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 University of San Francisco, on median earnings of $57,162 vs $89,812 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureCalifornia State University-Dominguez HillsUniversity of San Francisco
Net price / yr$8,615$41,431
Total net cost$34,460$165,724
Median earnings, 10 yrs$57,162$89,812
Median debt$13,807$23,000
Payback3.9 yrs4 yrs
20-year net return$141,580$663,316

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 University of San Francisco?

California State University-Dominguez Hills, at $8,615 a year after aid versus $41,431 — a gap of $32,816 a year, or $131,264 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 University of San Francisco graduates earn more?

University of San Francisco graduates report a median $89,812 ten years after entry, $32,650 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 University of San Francisco?

California State University-Dominguez Hills: its completers carry a median $13,807 in federal loans versus $23,000 at University of San Francisco, a difference of $9,193. 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 University of San Francisco, 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.

California State University-Dominguez Hills vs University of San Francisco: frequently asked questions

Is California State University-Dominguez Hills or University of San Francisco a better value?
California State University-Dominguez Hills. It clears its $34,460 net cost in about 3.9 years versus 4 years at University of San Francisco, on median earnings of $57,162 vs $89,812 ten years out.
Which is cheaper, California State University-Dominguez Hills or University of San Francisco?
California State University-Dominguez Hills: $8,615/yr net price after aid versus $41,431/yr at University of San Francisco — a difference of $32,816 a year, or about $131,264 over four years.
Do California State University-Dominguez Hills or University of San Francisco graduates earn more?
University of San Francisco graduates earn a median $89,812 ten years after entry, versus $57,162 at California State University-Dominguez Hills — a $32,650 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.