At $50,218/yr net price, Dominican University of California graduates earn $84,713/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $50,713/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $50,218 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $200,872 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $84,713/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$50,713/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 4 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 76.3% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $27,000 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $45,630/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $46,430/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $46,242/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $49,460/yr |
| $110,001+ | $54,480/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Bachelor | $88,637 | $27,000 |
| Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions. | Master | $73,949 | $89,832 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Bachelor | $46,087 | $25,000 |
| Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology. | Master | $42,682 | $61,500 |
The Risk Factor
76.3% of students at Dominican University of California graduate within 6 years. A significant share of students finish, but roughly 24% do not complete their degree.
Analysis
Dominican University of California costs about $50,000 a year, and whether that pays off depends almost entirely on your major. The median graduate earns around $85,000 ten years out, which is solid for a private school this size, but that number hides a wide split between programs.
Nursing is the reason to come here. Nursing graduates out-earn business graduates by roughly $42,000 a year, and they carry about the same debt. If you enroll in nursing and finish, the math works: the San Francisco Bay Area pays nurses well, and demand is steady. That single program does most of the heavy lifting behind the school's earnings figure.
Business is where you should think twice. At roughly $46,000 a year in earnings, business graduates make less than half what nurses do while paying tuition that assumes a much bigger return. Borrowing $25,000 for a degree that pays $46,000 in one of the most expensive housing markets in the country is a weak trade.
The financial risk here is concentration. If nursing is your path, the return is strong and the 88% retention and 76% graduation rate suggest you'll likely finish. If you're drawn to a lower-earning major, the full sticker price is hard to justify against cheaper public options in California.
The net price tiers barely move with income. A family earning under $30,000 still pays over $45,000, and the gap between the lowest and highest income brackets is under $9,000. This is not a school that discounts steeply for lower-income families, so plan for real out-of-pocket cost regardless of what you earn.
Come here for nursing. If you want anything else, price it against a UC or Cal State first.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Dominican University of California worth the high tuition cost?
With a net price of $50,218 annually and 10-year earnings of $84,713, Dominican University of California offers modest returns compared to its cost. The nursing programs justify the expense with $88,637 average earnings, but other majors like psychology at $42,682 may struggle to cover the debt load.
What are the best paying majors at Dominican University of California?
Nursing programs at Dominican University of California lead earnings at $88,637 annually, followed by rehabilitation and therapeutic professions at $73,949. Business graduates earn $46,087 while psychology majors average just $42,682, making program choice critical for ROI.
How much student debt do Dominican University of California graduates have?
Dominican University of California graduates carry a median debt of $27,000, which is manageable for nursing majors but creates payment challenges for lower-earning programs. With 76% of students graduating, most complete their degrees but face varying debt-to-income ratios depending on their field.
Should I attend Dominican University of California for business or psychology?
Business majors at Dominican University of California earn $46,087 annually while psychology graduates make $42,682, both well below the school's high costs. Consider these programs only if you receive significant financial aid or plan to pursue graduate school in higher-paying specializations.