Dominican University

No College Consensus
•AVERAGE: 69

No Publisher Consensus
•AVERAGE: 58.7

Student Consensus
•AVERAGE: 76.9

Publisher Ratings

96.1

U.S. News - Regional Universities Midwest

Student Reviews

81.3

Unigo

73.4

Niche

70.4

Grad Reports

Scores last updated on January 6, 2024

90%

Percent Admitted

53%

4-year Graduation Rate

3,196

Enrollment

11.0:1

Student-to-Faculty Ratio

$23,938

Average Undergraduate Students Aid

$36,500

In-State Tuition and Fees

$36,500

Out-of-State Tuition and Fees

= Average

Sector

Private not-for-profit, 4-year or above

Carnegie Classification

Master's Colleges & Universities: Larger Programs

Religious Affiliation

Roman Catholic

Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS)

Dominican University is a private, 4-year school located just outside of Chicago in River Forest, IL. The town is primarily a bedroom community within the greater Chicago metropolitan area. The school was founded in 1901 as Rosary College after existing as the unchartered St. Clara College since 1848. The school name changed to Dominican University in 1997 to reflect its Dominican heritage. The school is affiliated with the Sinsinawa Dominican Sisters and went co-educational in 1970. The compact, 30 acre wooded campus features traditional collegiate Gothic architecture and is adjacent to the 245 acre Thatcher Woods, part of the Forest Preserve of Cook County. Among the notable alumni is actress Megan Cavanaugh.

Academic Programs

Dominican University is accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, The Higher Learning Commission and offers Bachelor’s Degrees, post-baccalaureate Certificates, Master’s Degrees, post-masters Certificates and Doctorates in over 50 fields of study. The university is comprised of a single Undergraduate school: Rosary College of Arts & Sciences; and 5 Graduate Schools include: Brennan School of Business, School of Education, Graduate School of Library & Information Science, Graduate School of Social Work and School of Professional & Continuing Studies. All incoming students take foundational courses as part of the general Core Curriculum before narrowing their scope according to the chosen Major. Noted for Dietetics and Teacher Education, the largest program on campus is in Business. There are no online degree programs currently available, but the university sponsors a robust Internship program. Per the Mission Statement, “As a Sinsinawa Dominican sponsored institution, Dominican University prepares students to pursue truth, to give compassionate service and to participate in the creation of a more just and humane world.”

Student Life

There are over 2,200 undergraduate students enrolled in Dominican University, one third of the student body lives on campus in one of 5 residence halls. The university sponsors over 35 clubs and student organizations including club sports and intramurals. For the varsity athlete, the Stars field teams in 8 sports and participate in NCAA Division III competition. Students understand the Vision of the university – to be a premier, Catholic, comprehensive, teaching university – and are exposed to the Core Values of the school: Dominican University is a distinctively relationship-centered educational community, rooted in the liberal arts and sciences and comprehensive in scope, known for its rigorous and engaging academic programs, for the care and respect with which it mentors students, for its enduring commitment to social justice and for enriching the diversity of its students, faculty and staff. Integral to Dominican’s success and distinction is the ongoing exploration, clear expression and shared experience of its Catholic Dominican identity. In 1920, Archbishop Mundelein said that higher education at Rosary (Dominican) would not be “confined to the few; neither wealth nor race will be any advantage, nor will they provide a hindrance to enter here.”

Brennan School of Business