CSU vs. Dominican

Comparable Facts

Compare Chicago State University in Chicago, IL with Dominican University in River Forest, IL on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Dominican University is larger than CSU based on total student enrollment (3,803 students vs. 2,238 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Chicago State University is located in Chicago, IL (Large City setting); Dominican University is in River Forest, IL (Large Suburban setting).
• Chicago State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Dominican University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Chicago State University 9:1; Dominican University 12:1.

CSU vs. Dominican Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, CSU or Dominican? 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 Chicago State University than Dominican ($10,441 vs. $13,402).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Chicago State University are 9.2% lower than at Dominican University ($11,550 vs. $12,716).
• Dominican University is 205.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than CSU (about $26,224 more per year; $38,978.00 vs. $12,754.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 205.6% higher at Dominican than at Chicago State University (about $26,224 more per year; $38,978.00 vs. $12,754.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Dominican University than at Chicago State University (100% vs. 99%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Dominican University students is 69% larger than aid received by Chicago State University students ($30,756 vs. $18,194).

CSU vs. Dominican Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, CSU or Dominican? 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 Dominican and CSU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Dominican University (990) is 130 points higher than at CSU (860).
• Incoming Dominican students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (21 vs. 17 at CSU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Chicago State University 750/963; Dominican University 880/1100.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Chicago State University 15/19; Dominican University 16/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: CSU - Test-free; Dominican - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Dominican Aug 31, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Dominican students have a 0.56 point higher average high school GPA (3.74) than students at CSU (3.18).
• Dominican has a higher acceptance rate (90.3%) than CSU (43.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 3.8% at CSU vs. 12.1% at Dominican.

CSU vs. Dominican Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for CSU and Dominican? 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).

• Dominican University's six-year graduation rate (63%) is higher than Chicago State University's (21%).
• Graduates from Dominican University earn a median of about $9,700 more per year than CSU graduates about ten years after starting college ($48,000 vs. $38,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Dominican University graduates have a $6,250 lower median loan debt than CSU graduates ($25,000 vs. $31,250).
• Among borrowers, Dominican graduates have an estimated $65 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than CSU graduates ($258 vs. $323).
• More Dominican graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former CSU students, three years after graduation. (64% vs. 25%)

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.