Regional university
Dominican University
River Forest, IL · Private nonprofit · 4-year
Your real cost
Average price after aid $11,745 a year
Median debt at graduation: $24,411 (all students)
Estimate your own price · the college’s net price calculator
Upcoming admissions events
- National Transfer Student WeekOctober 19–23, 2026More about National Transfer Student WeekAdd to calendar
- First in the Family in SpanishOctober 20, 2026Learn about the admissions process, financial aid and resources for first-generation students.More about First in the Family in SpanishAdd to calendar
- Halloween Ghost & Campus TourOctober 28, 2026A special Halloween Ghost and Campus Tour event.More about Halloween Ghost & Campus TourAdd to calendar
- Discover Dominican Open HouseNovember 7, 2026Learn about your program of interest and experience the Dominican community.More about Discover Dominican Open HouseAdd to calendar
View all upcoming events (4 more) · From the college's admissions website.
Campus tour
Dominican University Campus Tour · From the college’s official YouTube channel. Plays from YouTube when you tap it.
Academic Excellence
Each measure counts for the share shown.
- Graduation rate 35% of scoreThis measure counts for 35% of the Academic Excellence score.55%
- First-year retention 20% of scoreThis measure counts for 20% of the Academic Excellence score.78%
- Entering students' test scores 15% of scoreThis measure counts for 15% of the Academic Excellence score.SAT 1,002 · ACT 21
- Student-to-faculty ratio 15% of scoreThis measure counts for 15% of the Academic Excellence score.12 to 1
- Instructional spending per student 15% of scoreThis measure counts for 15% of the Academic Excellence score.$11,343
Bars show points on each measure’s scale. How Academic Excellence is computed.
Source: College Scorecard (College Scorecard, most recent cohorts (data release 06/10/2026))
What families pay, by income
Average yearly price after grants and scholarships, for students who receive federal aid.
| Family income | Price after aid |
|---|---|
| Up to $30,000 | |
| $30,001–$48,000 | |
| $48,001–$75,000 | |
| $75,001–$110,000 | |
| Over $110,000 |
Full cost of attendance before aid: $43,891 a year.
Use the college’s net price calculator for your own estimate.
Cost and value
Federal data: what families pay after aid, what graduates earn, and what they owe.
| Undergraduate students Fall enrollment (IPEDS) | 2,397 |
|---|---|
| Men and women College Scorecard, fall 2023 | Men 31% · Women 70% |
| First-generation students College Scorecard | 51% |
| First-year students from another state IPEDS, fall 2023 | 10% |
| Total students | 3,424 |
| Average net price (per year) After grants and scholarships, for students receiving federal aid | $11,745 |
| Cost of attendance (per year) | $43,891 |
| Median federal debt at graduation | $24,411 |
| Graduation rate First-time, full-time students finishing within 150% of normal time | 55% |
| Graduation rate for Pell grant recipients College Scorecard, within 6 years | 61% |
| Graduation rate for first-generation students College Scorecard, within 6 years | 62% |
| Borrowers paying down their loans within 3 years College Scorecard, within 3 years | 64% |
| First-year retention | 78% |
| Median earnings 10 years after entry | $60,327 |
| Admission rate | 90% |
| Application fee IPEDS, 2023–24 | No application fee |
| Typical rent HUD fair market rent, FY2026 | About $1,581 a month for a one-bedroom |
| Students receiving Pell grants | 52% |
| Average SAT | 1002 |
|---|---|
| SAT reading & writing | 460–560 |
| SAT math | 420–540 |
| ACT composite | 16–26 |
| Test policy | Considered but not required |
Value: Excellent · Top 15% (how it’s computed)
Sources: College Scorecard · IPEDS College Navigator · Net price calculator
College Scorecard, most recent cohorts (data release 06/10/2026); IPEDS 2024-25 directory and institutional characteristics; fall 2023 enrollment.
Earnings by major
Median earnings of bachelor’s graduates a few years after finishing, by major (College Scorecard).
| Major | Median earnings |
|---|---|
| Computer science | |
| Nursing | |
| Accounting | |
| Business administration | |
| Romance languages | |
| Nutrition Sciences | |
| Natural Sciences | |
| Sociology | |
| Teacher education | |
| Criminology | |
| Psychology | |
| Design | |
| Specialized Sales, Merchandising and Marketing Operations | |
| English | |
| Biology |
Also offered (no earnings published yet): Area studies, Biological and physical sciences, Chemistry, Communication studies, Computing and information science, Culinary arts, Data Science, Dietetics and Clinical Nutrition Services, Economics, Education (general), Entrepreneurship, Ethnic and gender studies, Film and video, Finance, Fine arts, Foods, Nutrition,, Health sciences, History, Human resources, Human services, Information science, International business, International relations, Journalism, Liberal arts, Marketing, Mathematics, Mathematics and Computer Science, Music, Natural resources and conservation, Neuroscience, Pastoral counseling, Philosophy, Political science, Pre-health, Pre-law and legal studies, Public relations, Secondary education, Social sciences, Special education, Theatre, Theology, Visual and performing arts.
What students study most
Share of bachelor’s degrees by field, first majors in 2023–24 (IPEDS).
| Field | Share of degrees |
|---|---|
| Business | |
| Health professions | |
| Psychology | |
| Social sciences | |
| Interdisciplinary studies |
Campus life
| School colors | |
|---|---|
| Setting | Suburb |
| Part-time undergraduates | 4% |
| Undergraduates aged 25 and older | 6% |
| On-campus room and board (per year) | $12,716 |
| Sports | NCAA Division III · Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference |
| Study abroad | Offered |
| Students per faculty member | 12 to 1 |
| Undergraduates registered with the disability office | About 8%IPEDS, 2023–24 |
| Disability services | Visit the office’s pageThe college’s own page |
| Faculty who are full-time | 38%College Scorecard, fall 2023 |
| Endowment per student | $17,509IPEDS, 2023, per student |
| Dorm space | For about 22% of studentsBeds per undergraduate; not who lives on campus |
| Nearest airport with airline service | Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD)About 7 miles away · about 40 minutes by car |
| Town population | 11,992Census, 2020–2024 |
| Nearest city of 250,000 people or more | ChicagoAbout 8 miles away · about 25 minutes by car |
| Typical weather | 25°F in January · 75°F in JulyNOAA, 1991–2020, from Chicago Ohare International Airport, IL, about 9 miles away |
Federal data (IPEDS and College Scorecard), except school colors.
Campus safety reports
On-campus crimes reported in 2024, per 1,000 students.
| Category | This campus | U.S. rate |
|---|---|---|
| Rape | 0.00 | 0.07 |
| Robbery | 0.00 | 0.01 |
| Aggravated assault | 0.26 | 0.04 |
| Burglary | 0.00 | 0.08 |
| Motor vehicle theft | 0.00 | 0.15 |
Numbers reflect what each campus reported. They differ with campus size and how reporting is done, so compare with care. U.S. rate: total reported offenses divided by total students at every institution in the report.
Questions families ask
- What is Dominican University’s Compass Score?
- Good (grade B-). The grade comes from outcomes (40%: graduation, retention and earnings), entering students (40%: test scores and selectivity), cost (15%: debt and price after aid) and teaching (5%: class size), all from federal data.
- How much does Dominican University cost after financial aid?
- The average net price is $11,745 a year for students who receive federal aid, after grants and scholarships. What your family pays depends on income; the college’s net price calculator gives your own estimate.
- How hard is it to get into Dominican University?
- Dominican University admitted 90% of applicants in the most recent federal data.
- How do Dominican University’s graduates do?
- 55% of first-time, full-time students graduate within six years; the median earnings of former students ten years after entry are $60,327; the median federal debt at graduation is $24,411.
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About this school’s data
- IPEDS unit ID 148496
- Carnegie classification: Master's university (larger programs)
- Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission (U.S. Department of Education DAPIP)
- Religious affiliation (IPEDS): Roman Catholic
- Report an error or a newer source
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