About Dominican University
Dominican University builds its reputation on small classes and personal attention in a Catholic liberal arts setting. The university enrolls 2,271 students in River Forest's suburban landscape, with nearly 71% of students being women. Hispanic students make up 68.5% of the student body, creating a active, diverse community. Education, business, and health sciences programs draw students who want faculty mentorship in a faith-based environment.
The financial picture tells a compelling story for many families. Students pay an average net price of $15,113 after aid, dramatically less than the $51,596 sticker price. Graduates earn a median of $60,327 ten years after starting, while carrying typical debt loads of $24,411. The 12:1 student-faculty ratio means professors know your name, but it comes with trade-offs in graduation rates.
Nearly half of students receive Pell Grants, reflecting the university's commitment to serving first-generation college students. The 89.5% acceptance rate makes Dominican accessible, though the 62.4% six-year graduation rate suggests academic challenges for some students. With 90% of students coming from Illinois, Dominican feels like a tight-knit community where Chicago-area families send their children for personalized Catholic education.
The financial picture tells a compelling story for many families. Students pay an average net price of $15,113 after aid, dramatically less than the $51,596 sticker price. Graduates earn a median of $60,327 ten years after starting, while carrying typical debt loads of $24,411. The 12:1 student-faculty ratio means professors know your name, but it comes with trade-offs in graduation rates.
Nearly half of students receive Pell Grants, reflecting the university's commitment to serving first-generation college students. The 89.5% acceptance rate makes Dominican accessible, though the 62.4% six-year graduation rate suggests academic challenges for some students. With 90% of students coming from Illinois, Dominican feels like a tight-knit community where Chicago-area families send their children for personalized Catholic education.
Academics & Faculty
Dominican University builds its academic reputation on small Catholic liberal arts education with standout programs in teacher preparation, business, and health sciences. The 12:1 student-faculty ratio creates intimate classroom environments where professors know students personally and provide individualized mentoring. This close attention helps explain the solid 60% four-year graduation rate for a school serving many first-generation college students. Education majors benefit from extensive field experience in local schools, while the Brennan School of Business emphasizes hands-on learning through internships and case studies. The nursing and health science programs prepare students for Chicago-area healthcare careers. Nearly 71% of students are women, reflecting the university's strength in traditionally female-dominated fields like education and nursing.
Source: College Scorecard / U.S. Department of Education
- Student-to-Faculty Ratio
- 12:1
- Full-Time Faculty
- 38.4%
- Graduation Rate (4-year)
- 60.4%
- Graduation Rate (6-year)
- 62.4%
- Retention Rate
- 79.3%
- Median Earnings (10 years)
- $60,327
- Carnegie Classification
- Master's University (Large)
Popular Programs by Earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings |
|---|---|---|
| Educational Administration and Supervision. | Master | $84,653 |
| Computer Science. | Bachelor | $67,995 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Bachelor | $63,005 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Master | $55,840 |
| Accounting and Related Services. | Bachelor | $55,512 |
| Economics. | Bachelor | $54,644 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas. | Master | $51,106 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods. | Master | $49,918 |
| Social Work. | Master | $43,054 |
| Special Education and Teaching. | Master | $42,682 |
Campus Life
Dominican University sits in River Forest, just 10 miles west of downtown Chicago. Students can easily reach the city by train, making weekend trips to museums, restaurants, and internships common. With housing capacity for only 520 students and total enrollment of 2,271, most students commute from nearby neighborhoods. The 23% who live on campus create a tight-knit residential community on the tree-lined suburban campus.
Chicago's harsh winters mean students bundle up in heavy coats from November through March, while spring and fall offer pleasant weather for outdoor activities. The student body is 71% female, reflecting Dominican's strong education and health science programs that traditionally attract women. With 68% Hispanic enrollment, the campus celebrates Latino culture through events, food, and student organizations. Weekend social life centers around campus activities and exploring River Forest's cafes and shops. Many students work part-time jobs in the surrounding suburb or commute to Chicago for internships. The 12:1 student-faculty ratio means professors know students personally, creating an intimate academic environment where everyone recognizes familiar faces.
Chicago's harsh winters mean students bundle up in heavy coats from November through March, while spring and fall offer pleasant weather for outdoor activities. The student body is 71% female, reflecting Dominican's strong education and health science programs that traditionally attract women. With 68% Hispanic enrollment, the campus celebrates Latino culture through events, food, and student organizations. Weekend social life centers around campus activities and exploring River Forest's cafes and shops. Many students work part-time jobs in the surrounding suburb or commute to Chicago for internships. The 12:1 student-faculty ratio means professors know students personally, creating an intimate academic environment where everyone recognizes familiar faces.
- Setting
- Suburb-Large
- Housing Capacity
- 520 beds
- Calendar System
- Semester
- Study Abroad
- Available
- Founded
- 1901
Campus Safety (2023)
8 total reported incidents. Source: Clery Act / U.S. Department of Education
| Offense | On Campus | Residential | Noncampus | Public Property |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dating Violence | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Domestic Violence | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Rape | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
Climate & Weather
- January Avg
- 18°–31°F
- July Avg
- 66°–84°F
- Annual Precipitation
- 37.9"
- Annual Snowfall
- 38.4"
Student Demographics
Dominican draws students who want a close-knit Catholic education without leaving Chicagoland. Nearly 90% of students come from Illinois, reflecting the university's strong ties to local communities. The student body is predominantly Hispanic, making Dominican one of the most diverse Catholic universities in the Midwest. Women make up about 70% of enrollment, drawn largely to the university's respected education and health science programs. About half of students receive Pell Grants, showing Dominican's commitment to serving first-generation college students and working families seeking affordable Catholic higher education.
- Men
- 29.0%
- Women
- 71.0%
- White
- 18.9%
- Black
- 5.1%
- Hispanic
- 68.5%
- Asian
- 3.2%
- In-State Students
- 90.1%
- Pell Grant Recipients
- 49.3%
Location
River Forest sits just 10 miles west of downtown Chicago, placing Dominican University in one of the most desirable suburbs in the Chicago metropolitan area. The campus occupies a tree-lined community known for its historic architecture and proximity to both urban opportunities and quiet residential streets. With 90.11% of students coming from in-state, most are already familiar with the advantages of studying near Chicago while maintaining a small-town campus feel. The suburban setting provides easy access to internships, cultural events, and job opportunities in the nation's third-largest city. Students considering colleges in Illinois may also compare Dominican University with similar schools in the region.
- Address
- River Forest, Illinois 60305
After College
Source: College Scorecard / U.S. Department of Education
- Median Earnings (10 years)
- $60,327
- Median Earnings (5 years)
- $62,723
- Mean Earnings (6 years after entry)
- $39,000
- Loan Repayment Rate
- 63.5%
- Monthly Loan Payment
- $259/mo
- Median Debt at Graduation
- $24,411
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the acceptance rate at Dominican University?
Dominican University accepts 89.53% of applicants with an average SAT score of 1015. The Catholic liberal arts university attracts students seeking small class sizes and personalized attention in the Chicago suburbs.
How much does Dominican University cost after financial aid?
The average net price is $15,113, lower than the $37,844 sticker price. Nearly half of students receive financial aid, with the university offering strong support for families earning under $110,000 annually.
What is the student-faculty ratio at Dominican University?
Dominican maintains a 12:1 student-faculty ratio with just 2,271 total students enrolled. The university emphasizes individualized learning through its small liberal arts environment and strong programs in education, business, and health sciences.
What are the graduation outcomes at Dominican University?
The six-year graduation rate is 62.40% and graduates earn a median salary of $60,327 after ten years. With 95.8% employment rate and median debt of $24,411, students find solid career prospects despite the modest graduation rates.
Where is Dominican University located and what is campus life like?
The campus sits in River Forest, Illinois, a large suburb near Chicago, with housing for 520 students. Women make up 70.98% of the student body, and 90.11% of students come from Illinois, creating a close-knit community atmosphere.
Does Dominican University serve a diverse student population?
Hispanic students comprise 68.52% of enrollment, making Dominican one of the most Hispanic-serving institutions in Illinois. The university's Catholic mission combines with this demographic reality to create a unique cultural environment focused on serving first-generation college students.
