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Dominican University

River Forest, IL · Suburb · 2,561 students
Application deadlines: Check the admissions site
$11,745
Average net priceYour net price
2023-24
<30
30–48
48–75
75–110
110+
By household income — tap a bar
59%
Graduation rate
Entered fall 2017 & 2018
54% typical
$60,327
Earnings 10 years on
Measured 2020 & 2021
$55,177 typical
90%
Acceptance rate
Applied for fall 2024
82% typical · not scored
Accredited by Higher Learning Commission
About

Dominican University in River Forest, Illinois, is a highly-ranked, Hispanic-Serving Catholic institution recognized nationally for promoting social mobility and providing a deeply personalized, relationship-centered education. Undergraduates benefit from strong, career-focused programs in the Borra College of Health Sciences—notably its hands-on nursing program—as well as acclaimed offerings in the Brennan School of Business and the Rosary College of Arts and Sciences. The campus culture is close-knit and deeply rooted in values of service and social justice, offering an engaging student experience that includes NCAA Division III athletics and diverse student organizations. Distinctively, the university offers the best of both worlds: a peaceful, historic, wooded campus that sits just ten miles from downtown Chicago, giving students immediate access to elite internships and metropolitan career networks.

Location
River Forest, IL, 60305 · Suburb campus
✈
Nearest airport from college
ORD · Chicago O'Hare
7 mi away
Cost & aid
Cost of attendance
These figures are federal data and may be out of date.
YoursEveryone
Tuition & fees$38,978
Housing & food (on campus)$12,716
Books & supplies$1,200
Cost of attendance$43,891
Average net price$11,745
Same price for all students
Tuition & fees$38,978
Housing & food (on campus)$12,716
Books & supplies$1,200
Cost of attendance$43,891
Average net price$11,745
Net price by family income · 2023-24
$0–30k
$9,759
$30–48k
$9,014
$48–75k
$11,891
$75–110k
$16,851
$110k+
$17,963
Merit aid · 2025-26
Awarded without financial need. Students with financial need can get merit awards too; they're counted as need-based aid.
Average award$23,995
Share of first-years who get one14%
Source: Dominican University's Common Data Set — the school's own yearly report of its admissions and aid figures (PDF).
Outcomes
Completion
Within 6 yrs
59%
Entered 2017–18
Within 4 yrs
45%
Back for yr 2
78%
Transferred
27%
8 yrs after starting · first-time, full-time students
56% graduated · 32% transferred · 12% left or unknown · none still enrolled
Earnings · measured 2020 & 2021
6 yrs after entry$47,907
10 yrs after entry$60,327
Debt
Median at graduation$24,411
Monthly payment$259
Middle 50% owe$7.5k–$27k
90th percentile$32,000
Green marks a figure above the typical Master's (larger programs): 54% graduate within 6 yrs, $55,177 earned 10 yrs after entry.
Admissions
Getting in · applied for fall 2024
Admit rate
90%
Test policy
Test optional
Per College Scorecard
SAT average
1002
R 460–560 · M 420–540
ACT midpoint
25
Comp 16–26 · E 14–24 · M 16–26
SAT middle 50%: 880–1100
40080012001600

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Essay prompts
How much essays count at Dominican University: Important (one of four levels: very important · important · considered · not considered)
Source: Dominican University's Common Data Set for 2025-26 — the school's own yearly report of its admissions and aid figures (PDF).

If Dominican University 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 31%Women 70%
Who enrolls
Faculty ratio
12 : 1
Pell grant
52%
First-gen
51%
Family income
$38,451
Independent
17%
Age at entry
21.0
Part-time
4%
Race & ethnicity
White
18%
Hispanic
69%
Black
6%
Asian
3%
Two or more
1%
Unknown
2%
Varsity sports
NCAA Division III without football · EADA 2024-25
  • Baseball
    Men's
  • Basketball
    Men's · Women's
  • Cross Country
    Men's · Women's
  • Golf
    Men's
  • Soccer
    Men's · Women's
  • Softball
    Women's
  • Track and Field (Indoor)
    Men's · Women's
  • Track and Field (Outdoor)
    Men's · Women's
  • Volleyball
    Men's · Women's
Programs & Earnings
Bachelor's degrees by annual completions · 4yr national median earnings
Median earnings, all programs · measured 2020 & 2021
After 6 yrs
$47,907
After 10 yrs
$60,327
Psychology, General38
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing30
Natural Sciences28
Marketing26
Biology, General24
Business Administration, Management and Operations23
Neurobiology and Neurosciences22
Criminology20
Sociology20
Accounting and Related Services20
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods19
Health/Medical Preparatory Programs15
Computer Science14
Finance and Financial Management Services14
Nutrition Sciences13
Biological and Physical Sciences12
Type your major above to highlight and detail relevant programs.
Institutional
Resources
Endowment
$55M
Full-time faculty
38%
Faculty salary
$8,029/mo
Teaching spend
$11,343
per student
Federal loans
50%
Classification
Carnegie type
Master's (larger programs)
Undergraduate profile
Four-year, inclusive admissions

Wondering if Dominican University is the right fit for you?

SchoolScout builds a personalized college list — reach, match, and safety schools — tailored to your profile, grades, and goals. Get financial aid estimates, scholarship guidance, and deep dives on every school.

Personalized reach / match / safety list
Financial aid & net cost estimates
Deep dives on any school
Scholarship search