Overview
Enrollment
| Location | River Forest, Illinois |
| Online | dom.edu |
| School Type | Private 4 Year |
| Setting | Large Suburban |
| Religious Affiliation | Roman Catholic |
| Size | Small |
| Status | Non-profit |
| On Campus Housing | Yes |
| Level of Study | Undergrad/Graduate |
Dominican University, situated in River Forest, Illinois, is a private institution offering a comprehensive liberal arts education within a close-knit campus environment. Established in 1901 by the Sinsinawa Dominican Sisters, this university is nestled in a suburban setting just 10 miles from the bustling city of Chicago, providing students with both a tranquil academic atmosphere and access to urban amenities. The campus is known for its traditional architecture that highlights the school's history, including distinctive Gothic elements. Dominican University offers a variety of undergraduate and graduate programs, with notable strengths in library science and information management, as well as social work, business, and education. While the university exhibits a moderately selective admissions process, it provides residence halls for students who seek a residential college experience. Although not primarily known for its athletics, the school competes in NCAA Division III sports as the Dominican University Stars.
In the most recent statistical year 5,117 prospective students applied, and 4,581 were granted admission. Of those admitted 600 enrolled in the school. 2,367 students are enrolled on a full time basis, and 829 attend part time. In-state tuition for 2022/2023, excluding room and board, is $35,850 plus fees of $650. Dominican is ranked 551 nationally in the CollegeSimply.com 2024 U.S. Colleges Ranking.
Ratings
Overall
Academics
Resources
Outcomes
Value
Dominican is rated within the top 48% of four-year colleges nationally and earns a CollegeSimply grade of 6 out of 10. Learn how ratings are calculated
Rankings
Rankings for Dominican University within the 2024 CollegeSimply Best Colleges Lists.
#551 in Best Colleges in the U.S.
#382 in Best Private Colleges in the U.S.
#26 in Best Colleges in Illinois
#19 in Best Private Colleges in Illinois
#303 in Best Value Colleges in the U.S.
#22 in Best Value Colleges in Illinois
View the CollegeSimply ranking methodology.
Getting In
Admission Standards
| SAT | 890/1140 |
| ACT | 16/22 |
| GPA | 3.74 |
Applications Accepted
| Applications Due | Aug 31, 2025 |
| Applicant Competition | Very Low |
| Application Fee | $0 |
Annual Cost to Attend
Tuition
| Fee | Cost |
|---|---|
| Books and Supplies | $1,200 |
| Other Fees | $650 |
| Room and Board | $11,050 |
| Budget for Other Expenses | $1,372 |
| Total One Year Cost | $50,122 |
Outcomes
Average Salary After 10 Years
Bachelor's Degree Graduation Rate
Popular Areas of Study
| Subject | Percent of Class |
|---|---|
| Business | 29% |
| Social Sciences | 16% |
| Psychology | 10% |
| Visual and Performing Arts | 9% |
| Communication | 7% |
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Questions and Answers
CollegeSimply Advisor posts about Dominican University.
Primary data source, U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=148496 IPEDS survey data for Dominican University.
Current students may use the Dominican University GPA calculator to determine their current college GPA.
Last updated February 24, 2024