Cal State (CSU) guide · Updated September 29, 2026
Cal State Dominguez Hills admitted 93% of its 19,921 first-year applicants for Fall 2024, according to federal data from College Navigator. CSUDH is a California State University campus in Carson, in the South Bay area of Los Angeles County. For 2026-27, California residents pay $8,701 in tuition and campus fees, and the cost of attendance ranges from $28,535 living with parents to $41,094 living off campus.
California State University, Dominguez Hills, often called CSUDH or Cal State Dominguez Hills, is one of the most diverse and most accessible Cal State campuses. It serves many working, adult and first-generation students, and it’s known for nursing, business, education and flexible programs through its extended education college.
Here are the official numbers: who gets in, what it costs in 2026-27, how big it is and how it compares with nearby campuses.
| Fact | Cal State Dominguez Hills |
|---|---|
| Official name | California State University, Dominguez Hills |
| Type | Public university, California State University system |
| Location | Carson, South Bay, Los Angeles County |
| Founded | 1960 |
| Acceptance rate | 93% (Fall 2024, 19,921 first-year applicants) |
| SAT/ACT | Not used for admission (CSU policy) |
| Students | 15,182 total, 12,632 undergraduates (Fall 2024) |
| Tuition and campus fees, California residents (2026-27) | $8,701 |
| Cost of attendance (2026-27) | $34,074 campus housing; $28,535 living with parents |
| Average net price | $9,175 (2023-24) |
| Retention / graduation rate | 74% / 43% in six years (Fall 2018 cohort) |
| Student-to-faculty ratio | 21:1 |
| Athletics | Toros, NCAA Division II, CCAA |
Sources: College Navigator (IPEDS); CSUDH Financial Aid, Cost to Attend 2026-27. Full list at the end of the article.
In This Article
What Is Cal State Dominguez Hills?
Cal State Dominguez Hills is California State University, Dominguez Hills, a public university founded in 1960 and part of the California State University system. Common spellings such as “Dominguez Hills University” or “Dominquez Hills” all refer to the same school, whose official website is csudh.edu.
Is CSUDH part of the UC system? No. It’s a CSU campus, so students apply through Cal State Apply and pay CSU tuition. CSUDH offers bachelor’s and master’s degrees and a doctorate in education, along with credential programs for teachers and a large College of Extended and International Education that serves working adults.
What Is the CSUDH Acceptance Rate?
CSUDH admitted 93% of first-year applicants for Fall 2024, when 19,921 students applied, according to College Navigator. About 9% of admitted students enrolled. CSUDH admits nearly every applicant who meets CSU eligibility: completion of the A-G course pattern and at least a 2.5 GPA for California residents. SAT and ACT scores are not used.
| CSUDH, Fall 2024 | Figure |
|---|---|
| First-year applicants | 19,921 |
| Percent admitted | 93% |
| Percent of admitted students who enrolled | 9% |
| Undergraduate transfer students enrolled | 1,890 |
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, College Navigator: California State University-Dominguez Hills (Fall 2024 admissions and enrollment).
Transfer students are a large part of CSUDH. In Fall 2024, 1,890 new transfer students enrolled, and only 44% of entering students were first-time, full-time students, reflecting CSUDH’s role serving community college transfers and returning adults.
How Much Does CSUDH Cost?
For 2026-27, California residents pay $6,838 in CSU tuition plus $1,863 in campus fees, for a total of $8,701. The full cost of attendance is $28,535 living with parents, $34,074 in campus housing and $41,094 living off campus.
| CSUDH cost of attendance, 2026-27 (undergraduates) | With parents | Campus housing | Off campus |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tuition | $6,838 | $6,838 | $6,838 |
| Campus fees | $1,863 | $1,863 | $1,863 |
| Books and supplies | $1,227 | $1,227 | $1,227 |
| Food | $4,425 | $6,859 | $7,922 |
| Housing | $8,218 | $13,090 | $14,712 |
| Transportation | $2,239 | $1,527 | $3,639 |
| Personal | $3,725 | $2,670 | $4,893 |
| Total | $28,535 | $34,074 | $41,094 |
Source: CSUDH Financial Aid, Cost to Attend CSUDH, 2026-27 undergraduate budgets.
Most students pay far less than these totals. Federal data shows an average net price of $9,175 for aided first-time students in 2023-24, and Cal Grants, Pell Grants and the CSU State University Grant can cover tuition for eligible Californians.
“CSUDH’s average net price is close to the cost of tuition and fees alone at many other universities. For South Bay students who can live at home, it’s one of the most affordable ways to earn a four-year degree in Los Angeles County.”
CalChannel Editorial Team
How Big Is CSUDH?
CSUDH had 15,182 students in Fall 2024, including 12,632 undergraduates and 2,550 graduate students, according to College Navigator. The student-to-faculty ratio is 21:1.
About 74% of full-time first-year students who began in Fall 2023 returned in Fall 2024. Of the Fall 2018 entering class, 20% graduated in four years and 43% within six years.
Where Is CSUDH Located?
CSUDH is in Carson, a city in the South Bay region of Los Angeles County, about 15 miles south of downtown Los Angeles and close to Long Beach and Torrance. The campus is next to the 405, 110 and 91 freeways, and Dignity Health Sports Park, home of the LA Galaxy, sits on university land.
Is Carson convenient without a car? Several bus lines serve the campus, but many students drive. CSUDH also offers online and evening programs, which makes it a strong option for adult and returning students balancing work and family.
What Is CSUDH Known For?
CSUDH is known for nursing, business administration, education, psychology, criminal justice and online degree completion programs. It’s a Hispanic-Serving Institution with one of the most diverse student bodies in the CSU system.
How does CSUDH compare with nearby Cal State Long Beach? CSULB is larger and far more selective, admitting 46% of applicants in 2024-25, while CSUDH admits nearly all eligible applicants and serves more working and returning students. The CSUDH Toros compete in NCAA Division II in the California Collegiate Athletic Association.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the CSUDH acceptance rate?
Cal State Dominguez Hills admitted 93% of its 19,921 first-year applicants for Fall 2024, according to College Navigator.
Is CSUDH part of the UC system?
No. CSUDH is part of the California State University system, which has its own application and lower tuition than the University of California.
How much does CSUDH cost?
For 2026-27, California residents pay $8,701 in tuition and campus fees. The full cost of attendance is $28,535 living with parents and $34,074 in campus housing.
Is CSUDH a good option for adult or returning students?
Yes. CSUDH has a large extended education college with online and evening programs, and many of its students work while attending.
Where is CSUDH located?
CSUDH is in Carson, California, in the South Bay area of Los Angeles County, about 15 miles south of downtown Los Angeles.
The Bottom Line on CSUDH
Cal State Dominguez Hills is an accessible Cal State campus in Carson that admitted 93% of first-year applicants for Fall 2024. It serves a diverse, largely local student body, including many transfer and adult students, at CSU prices.
For California residents, plan for $8,701 in tuition and fees, and about $28,500 a year if you live with family. Compare CSUDH with Cal State Long Beach, CSUN and other Cal State campuses.
Sources
CalChannel Editorial Team California college guides
The CalChannel editorial team researches and writes guides to California colleges, admissions and financial aid. We build our college profiles and aid guides from colleges’ own published data, federal IPEDS data and the California Student Aid Commission. Read our editorial policy.
