CSUDH vs. ISU

Comparable Facts

Compare California State University Dominguez Hills in Carson, CA with Idaho State University in Pocatello, ID on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

California State University Dominguez Hills is larger than ISU based on total student enrollment (15,182 students vs. 13,061 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• California State University Dominguez Hills is located in Carson, CA (Small City setting); Idaho State University is in Pocatello, ID (Small City setting).
• California State University Dominguez Hills is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Idaho State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: California State University Dominguez Hills 21:1; Idaho State University 14:1.

CSUDH vs. ISU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, CSUDH or ISU? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at California State University Dominguez Hills than ISU ($9,175 vs. $12,174).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Idaho State University are 57.3% lower than at California State University Dominguez Hills ($7,882 vs. $18,444).
• Idaho State University is 15.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than CSUDH (about $1,161 more per year; $8,610.00 vs. $7,449.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 38.3% higher at ISU than at California State University Dominguez Hills (about $7,671 more per year; $27,720.00 vs. $20,049.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at California State University Dominguez Hills than at Idaho State University (93% vs. 91%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by California State University Dominguez Hills students is 51.4% larger than aid received by Idaho State University students ($13,951 vs. $9,217).

CSUDH vs. ISU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, CSUDH or ISU? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between ISU and CSUDH.

• Idaho State University reports an open admissions policy.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: CSUDH - Test-free; ISU - Open admission.
• Typical fall application deadline: CSUDH Dec 4, 2026.
• Accepted freshman ISU students have a 0.25 point higher average high school GPA (3.41) than students at CSUDH (3.16).

CSUDH vs. ISU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for CSUDH and ISU? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Idaho State University's six-year graduation rate (26%) is higher than California State University Dominguez Hills's (24%).
• Graduates from California State University Dominguez Hills earn a median of about $4,500 more per year than ISU graduates about ten years after starting college ($46,800 vs. $42,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, California State University Dominguez Hills graduates have a $8,988 lower median loan debt than ISU graduates ($13,962 vs. $22,950).
• Among borrowers, CSUDH graduates have an estimated $93 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than ISU graduates ($144 vs. $237).
• More CSUDH graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former ISU students, three years after graduation. (52% vs. 47%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.