Dominican University of California — College Profile

About

Located in scenic San Rafael, California, Dominican University of California is best known for its supportive learning environment, strong emphasis on community service, and highly regarded programs in nursing, occupational therapy, biological sciences, and business. Campus culture is collaborative and tight-knit, offering students a personalized education surrounded by the natural beauty and outdoor access of Marin County. The university distinguishes itself through "The Dominican Experience," an innovative curriculum framework that guarantees every undergraduate a dedicated mentor, community-engaged learning opportunities, a digital portfolio, and a signature research or creative project before graduation.

Wikipedia:Dominican University of California is a private university in San Rafael, California, United States. It was founded in 1890 as Dominican College by the Dominican Sisters of San Rafael. It is one of the oldest universities in California.

Location

San Rafael, CA, 94901-2298 · City campus

✈

Nearest airport from college

OAK · Oakland

24 mi away

Open in Google Maps

Cost & aid

Cost of attendance

YoursEveryone

Tuition & fees$52,161

Housing & food (on campus)$16,191

Books & supplies$1,152

Cost of attendance$76,762

Average net price$35,333

Same price for all students

Tuition & fees$52,161

Housing & food (on campus)$16,191

Books & supplies$1,152

Cost of attendance$76,762

Average net price$35,333

Source: U.S. College Scorecard · published total: www.dominican.edu

How it’s made up · 2026-27

Dominican University of California’s own figures for 2026-2027, newer than the 2024-25 federal figures above, so the amounts differ.

Tuition$54,441

Fees$1,185

Housing$9,142

Food$7,477

Books & supplies$1,122

Personal expenses$2,865

Transportation$374

Total published by the school$76,762

Source: www.dominican.edu · checked Sep 30, 2026

Net price by family income · 2023-24

$0–30k

$24,572

$30–48k

$29,275

$48–75k

$30,313

$75–110k

$35,343

$110k+

$43,317

Your family's actual price → Dominican University of California net price calculator

Source: U.S. College Scorecard

Merit aid · 2024-25

Awarded without financial need. Students with financial need can get merit awards too; they're counted as need-based aid.

Average award$22,592

First-years who got one38

Source: Dominican University of California's Common Data Set — the school's own yearly report of its admissions and aid figures (PDF).

Outcomes

Completion

Within 6 yrs

77%

Entered 2017–18

Within 4 yrs

65%

Back for yr 2

85%

Transferred

17%

8 yrs after starting · first-time, full-time students

77% graduated · 13% transferred · 10% left or unknown · none still enrolled

Earnings · measured 2020 & 2021

6 yrs after entry$71,477

10 yrs after entry$84,713

Debt

Median at graduation$27,000

Monthly payment$286

Middle 50% owe$15k–$30.6k

90th percentile$38,166

Green marks a figure above the typical Master's (medium programs): 52% graduate within 6 yrs, $51,562 earned 10 yrs after entry.

Admissions

Getting in · applied for fall 2024

Admit rate

84%

Test policy

Test optional

Per College Scorecard

SAT average

1290

R 620–660 · M 590–640

ACT midpoint

SAT middle 50%: 1210–1300

40080012001600

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Essay prompts

How much essays count at Dominican University of California: Considered (one of four levels: very important · important · considered · not considered)

Source: Dominican University of California's Common Data Set for 2024-25 — the school's own yearly report of its admissions and aid figures (PDF).

If Dominican University of California asks for supplemental essays, the prompts are in the Common App.

The personal essay is separate: see the Common App essay prompts.

Student Body

Gender

Men 28%Women 72%

Who enrolls

Faculty ratio

8 : 1

Pell grant

32%

First-gen

31%

Family income

$65,976

Independent

14%

Age at entry

21.0

Part-time

10%

Race & ethnicity

White

21%

Hispanic

32%

Black

Asian

30%

Two or more

Non-resident

NH/PI

Unknown

Varsity sports

NCAA Division II without football · EADA 2024-25

Basketball
Men's · Women's
Golf
Men's · Women's
Lacrosse
Men's · Women's
Soccer
Men's · Women's
Softball
Women's
Tennis
Women's
Track and Field and Cross Country (combined)
Men's · Women's
Volleyball
Women's

Programs & Earnings

Bachelor's degrees by annual completions · 4yr national median earnings

Median earnings, all programs · measured 2020 & 2021

After 6 yrs

$71,477

After 10 yrs

$84,713

Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing121

Business Administration, Management and Operations53

Computer Programming33

Psychology, General23

Biology, General18

Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, General16

Public Health15

Dance13

Communication, Journalism, and Related Programs, Other6

Social Sciences, Other6

Education, General5

Chemistry5

Design and Applied Arts5

English Language and Literature, General4

Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities4

Political Science and Government4

Type your major above to highlight and detail relevant programs.

Institutional

Resources

Endowment

$32M

Full-time faculty

30%

Faculty salary

$10,036/mo

Teaching spend

$14,134

per student

Federal loans

58%

Classification

Carnegie type

Master's (medium programs)

Undergraduate profile

Four-year, selective admissions