DUofC vs. SU

Comparable Facts

Compare Dominican University of California in San Rafael, CA with Southwestern University in Georgetown, TX on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Dominican University of California is larger than SU based on total student enrollment (1,900 students vs. 1,440 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Dominican University of California is located in San Rafael, CA (Small City setting); Southwestern University is in Georgetown, TX (Distant Town setting).
• Dominican University of California is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Southwestern University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Dominican University of California 8:1; Southwestern University 11:1.

DUofC vs. SU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, DUofC or SU? 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 Southwestern University than DUofC ($32,228 vs. $37,456).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Southwestern University are 6.9% lower than at Dominican University of California ($15,072 vs. $16,191).
• Southwestern University is 3.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than DUofC (about $1,652 more per year; $53,813.00 vs. $52,161.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 3.2% higher at SU than at Dominican University of California (about $1,652 more per year; $53,813.00 vs. $52,161.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Dominican University of California than at Southwestern University (100% vs. 99%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Southwestern University students is 2.7% larger than aid received by Dominican University of California students ($35,162 vs. $34,224).

DUofC vs. SU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, DUofC or SU? 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 SU and DUofC.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Dominican University of California (1260) is 40 points higher than at SU (1220).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Dominican University of California 1210/1300; Southwestern University 1130/1300.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsSouthwestern University 26/30.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: DUofC - Test optional; SU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: SU Feb 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman DUofC students have a 0.16 point higher average high school GPA (3.66) than students at SU (3.5).
• DUofC has a higher acceptance rate (83.5%) than SU (43.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.7% at DUofC vs. 13.8% at SU.

DUofC vs. SU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for DUofC and SU? 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).

• Southwestern University's six-year graduation rate (73%) is higher than Dominican University of California's (56%).
• Graduates from Dominican University of California earn a median of about $1,000 more per year than SU graduates about ten years after starting college ($58,400 vs. $57,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Southwestern University graduates have a $107 lower median loan debt than DUofC graduates ($26,893 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, SU graduates have an estimated $1 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than DUofC graduates ($278 vs. $279).
• More SU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former DUofC students, three years after graduation. (80% vs. 71%)

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.