CSUDH: A Parent's Guide to Admissions, Cost & Outcomes
Officially California State University-Dominguez Hills · Carson, California · Public · Open access · CDS 2022-2023
Admission at a glance
Common Data Set 2022-2023
- Test-blind
- 16,860
- Applicants
- 14,947
- Admitted89%
- 1,874
- Enrolled
- 13%
- Yield rate
Selectivity
Open access89% admittedRanked #33 in Regional Universities West; Business Programs #439-535, Computer Science #350 (tie), Nursing #336 (tie)U.S. News & World Report, Best Colleges 2027
Admission figures come from the 2022-2023 Common Data Set published by California State University-Dominguez Hills (see the source), read on 2026-09-25.
Is CSUDH a reach, target or safety for your student?
Enter a GPA and course load and the calculator places CSUDH against it in about a minute. No account needed.
CSUDH is a public university in Carson, California that admits about 89% of applicants, making it a open access school. The average family pays about $8,615 a year after financial aid, which matters more than the published sticker price. It is best known for Business Administration, Management and Operations, Psychology, General and Sociology, its largest undergraduate programs by number of graduates. About 48% of students graduate within six years. Its most recent Clery Act report shows roughly 3.3 criminal offenses per 1,000 students.
CSUDH is a public institution located in Carson, California. For the most recent reporting cycle, CSUDH admits the majority of qualified applicants, with an overall admission rate of 89%. The average net price after grants and scholarships is $8,615 per year, which is the figure most families actually pay rather than the published sticker price.
What GPA does my child need for CSUDH?
68% of enrolled students at CSUDH had a high school GPA of 3.00 or above, and the average was 3.22, according to its 2022-2023 Common Data Set.
Compare CSUDH with the other schools on your list
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SAT and ACT scores CSUDH typically admits
Many applicants to schools in this tier submit test scores, though the policy varies by year, so check the latest test-optional status before deciding.
| 25th percentile | 790 |
| 50th percentile | n/a |
| 75th percentile | 930 |
| % submitting SAT | 20% |
| 25th percentile | 14.5 |
| 50th percentile | n/a |
| 75th percentile | 15.25 |
| % submitting ACT | 0% |
- • Test-blind: CSUDH does not consider SAT or ACT scores in admission decisions, even if submitted.
- • CSU system does not use SAT/ACT in admission; scores may be used only for course placement after admission.
- • Checked for Fall 2027 applicants on CSUDH's admissions site. Policies change; confirm before you apply.
How much does CSUDH actually cost?
Published tuition is $7,449 for in-state students and $20,049 for out-of-state, before grants and scholarships. Room and board adds roughly $18,444 annually. After need-based and merit aid, the average family pays a net price of $8,615 per year, and that is the number that actually matters for budgeting. Roughly 63% of students receive Pell Grants.
| In-state tuition | $7,059 |
| Out-of-state tuition | $16,563 |
| Room and board | $16,200 |
| Average net price (after aid) | $8,615 |
| Share of financial need metaverage, for students with need | 26% |
| Average need-based grant | $6,360 |
| Average merit award, no financial need33 first-year students received one | $5,039 |
| Graduates who borrowed | 23% |
| Average debt at graduationamong those who borrowed | $12,754 |
| Financial aid forms | FAFSA only (no CSS Profile)College Board 2026-27 list |
| Application fee | $55 (waivers available) |
Application deadlines and early decision data for CSUDH
| Notification date | 15-Oct |
| Reply deadline | 1-May |
Will my child graduate from CSUDH?
These predict outcomes at CSUDH better than its acceptance rate does. How to read retention and graduation rates
Most popular majors at CSUDH
The most popular undergraduate programs at CSUDH, measured by the number of students who actually graduate each year, are Business Administration, Management and Operations, Psychology, General and Sociology. Across all programs, CSUDH confers roughly 2,467 bachelor's degrees a year. Graduates of its Business Administration, Management and Operations program report a median income of about $61,910 five years after entering college. What these figures mean
| Major | Graduates / year | Median earnings (5 yrs out) |
|---|---|---|
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | 591 | $61,910 |
| Psychology, General | 576 | $51,375 |
| Sociology | 286 | $50,994 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | 249 | $54,596 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | 243 | $43,988 |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | 190 | $42,981 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | 181 | $122,899 |
| Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, General | 151 | n/a |
Is CSUDH safe? Campus crime & safety
In its most recent Clery Act report (2024), CSUDH disclosed 41 total criminal offenses across its campus and surrounding public property, about 3.3 per 1,000 students. That figure includes 6 violent offenses and 3 reported sexual assaults or VAWA offenses. Why per-1,000 rates, not counts
What is campus life like at CSUDH?
About 6% of undergraduates at CSUDH live in campus housing, so a meaningful share of students commute or live off campus. In Greek life, 1% of men join a fraternity and 1% of women join a sorority. Residential rate and Greek participation shape day-to-day social life and are worth weighing alongside academics and cost.
Other colleges in California parents ask about
- California State University-Stanislaus98% acceptance
- California State University-Bakersfield94% acceptance
- California State University-Monterey Bay97% acceptance
- California State University-San Marcos95% acceptance
- California State University-Channel Islands95% acceptance
- Art Center College of Design75% acceptance
- California Institute of the Arts32% acceptance
- Whittier College81% acceptance
Next steps for CSUDH
Common questions parents ask about CSUDH
What GPA do I need for CSUDH?
68% of enrolled students at CSUDH had a high school GPA of 3.00 or above, and the average was 3.22, according to its 2022-2023 Common Data Set.
What SAT or ACT score does CSUDH typically admit?
CSUDH is test-blind: SAT and ACT scores are not considered in admission decisions, even if you submit them. There is no score range because scores are not read.
How much does CSUDH actually cost after financial aid?
The average net price at CSUDH after grants and scholarships is $8,615 per year, against a published in-state tuition of $7,449 and $20,049 out of state. Budget against the net figure.
Is CSUDH realistic for my child?
CSUDH admits 89% of applicants, so the transcript and course rigour carry the decision, with no published score band to place against. Then check the $8,615 average net price against what your family can carry.
What is the acceptance rate at CSUDH?
CSUDH accepts about 89% of applicants out of roughly 16,860 who apply each year. It admits the majority of qualified applicants.
Is CSUDH test-optional?
CSUDH is test-blind for Fall 2027 applicants: it does not consider SAT or ACT scores in admission decisions, even if you submit them.
What is the graduation rate at CSUDH?
About 48% of students at CSUDH graduate within six years, and 18% finish in four years. 71% of freshmen return for sophomore year. Graduation rate predicts real outcomes better than acceptance rate.
Is CSUDH a public or private school, and where is it located?
CSUDH is a public institution located in Carson, California.
What are the most popular majors at CSUDH?
The largest undergraduate majors at CSUDH by annual graduates are Business Administration, Management and Operations, Psychology, General and Sociology. The school awards about 2,467 bachelor's degrees a year in total. These figures come from federal IPEDS completion data.
Is CSUDH safe? What is its campus crime rate?
CSUDH reported 41 total criminal offenses in its most recent Clery Act disclosure (2024), roughly 3.3 per 1,000 students. Compare the per-1,000 rate rather than the raw total, since larger schools report more incidents.
What is campus life like at CSUDH?
At CSUDH, 6% of undergraduates live on campus, 1% of men are in fraternities, 1% of women are in sororities, according to its most recent Common Data Set.
Sources: the 2022-2023 Common Data Set submitted by California State University-Dominguez Hills, the College Scorecard and IPEDS, and Clery Act disclosures. What each source covers