CSUDH vs. Metropolitan State University

Comparable Facts

Compare California State University Dominguez Hills in Carson, CA with Metropolitan State University in Saint Paul, MN on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

California State University Dominguez Hills is larger than Metropolitan State University based on total student enrollment (15,182 students vs. 6,660 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• California State University Dominguez Hills is located in Carson, CA (Small City setting); Metropolitan State University is in Saint Paul, MN (Large City setting).
• California State University Dominguez Hills is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Metropolitan State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: California State University Dominguez Hills 21:1; Metropolitan State University 15:1.

CSUDH vs. Metropolitan State University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, CSUDH or Metropolitan State University? 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 Metropolitan State University ($9,175 vs. $16,615).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Metropolitan State University are 14% lower than at California State University Dominguez Hills ($15,864 vs. $18,444).
• Metropolitan State University is 32.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than CSUDH (about $2,391 more per year; $9,840.00 vs. $7,449.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 103.8% higher at CSUDH than at Metropolitan State University (about $10,209 more per year; $20,049.00 vs. $9,840.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at California State University Dominguez Hills than at Metropolitan State University (93% vs. 82%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by California State University Dominguez Hills students is 63.4% larger than aid received by Metropolitan State University students ($13,951 vs. $8,538).

CSUDH vs. Metropolitan State University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, CSUDH or Metropolitan State University? 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 Metropolitan State University and CSUDH.

• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: CSUDH - Test-free; Metropolitan State University - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: CSUDH Dec 4, 2026; Metropolitan State University Aug 1, 2027.
• Metropolitan State University has a higher acceptance rate (98.7%) than CSUDH (93.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 9.3% at CSUDH vs. 33.8% at Metropolitan State University.

CSUDH vs. Metropolitan State University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for CSUDH and Metropolitan State University? 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).

• Metropolitan State University's six-year graduation rate (29%) is higher than California State University Dominguez Hills's (24%).
• Graduates from Metropolitan State University earn a median of about $2,400 more per year than CSUDH graduates about ten years after starting college ($49,200 vs. $46,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, California State University Dominguez Hills graduates have a $4,030 lower median loan debt than Metropolitan State University graduates ($13,962 vs. $17,992).
• Among borrowers, CSUDH graduates have an estimated $42 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Metropolitan State University graduates ($144 vs. $186).
• More Metropolitan State University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former CSUDH students, three years after graduation. (57% vs. 52%)

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.