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Dominican University
River Forest, IL
Dominican University is a private, coeducational institution located in River Forest, Illinois, just outside of Chicago. It was founded in 1901 by the Sinsinawa Dominican Sisters, who continue to sponsor the university today. Offering over 50 undergraduate majors and minors, as well as various graduate programs, Dominican University is known for providing a comprehensive education rooted in the liberal arts and sciences.
The campus of Dominican University combines beautiful historic buildings with modern facilities, creating a vibrant and inclusive learning environment. Students have access to state-of-the-art laboratories, a renowned library, art studios, and performance spaces. The university also boasts a strong commitment to sustainability, with solar panels, green roofs, and energy-efficient systems implemented across campus.
In addition to academic excellence, Dominican University provides students with numerous opportunities for personal and professional growth. The university encourages students to engage in internships, research projects, and study abroad programs to gain a global perspective and practical skills. With a diverse and supportive community, Dominican University fosters an atmosphere of intellectual curiosity, social responsibility, and leadership development, preparing students for success in their chosen careers and beyond.
Located in River Forest, IL and set in a suburban environment, Dominican University is a private university. This educational institution operates on a semester-based calendar. It has an acceptance rate of 79%. The freshman retention rate at Dominican University is 79% and the six-year graduation rate is 58%.
For freshmen, the application deadline for this school is August 31. Find out more about what you can expect if you get into Dominican University.
Quick Facts
2,397
Total Number of Undergraduate Students
79%
Acceptance Rate
$38,328
Tuition
12:1
Student to Faculty Ratio
58%
Graduation Rate
Admissions
If you know as much as possible about the institution's criteria for admission, you can make a better judgment about your eligibility and boost your chances of getting accepted. Discover some essential facts about admission at Dominican University.
In 2024, the school accepted 5,216 new students. Looking at entrance difficulty level for all or most incoming freshmen, based on data self-reported by the institution this school is moderately difficult to get into.
Test Scores
Out of the number of applicants who submitted test scores, the percentage of first-time, first-year degree-seeking students who submitted SAT scores was 14% and ACT scores 3.33%. 1% of the freshmen submitted SAT composite scores between 1,400 and 1,600, 14.29% between 1,200 and 1,399, 49% between 1,000 and 1,199, 34% between 800 and 999, and 2% between 600 and 799. The percent of first-year students who submitted ACT Composite scores in the range between 30-36 was 5, 15 between 24-29, 50 in the range between 18-23, and 30 between 12-17.
The latest reported average GPA of the enrolled students was 3.8. That means that you need a GPA that's above average in order to get into Dominican University.
Deadlines
Be sure to apply to this school by August 31.
79%
Acceptance Rate
Retention Rate
The freshman retention rate is the percentage of college or university first-year students who return for their sophomore year. That information can tell you if the majority of freshmen liked their first year enough to come back.
As reported in 2024, the freshman retention rate for Dominican University was 79%, which is considered an above-average retention rate and is indicative of the quality of educational experience at this school.
Another important metric to consider is the graduation rate. This rate indicates how many students finish their degrees within a certain timeframe. The six-year graduation rate at this institution stands at 58%.
Student Body
It is never easy to figure out which school is the best match for you. You can better comprehend the culture and life of the school by finding out more about the student body.
Main Student Body
In 2024, the institution enrolled 3,424 students.
The school reported an out-of-state student body portion of 9% for that year. The total number of undergraduate students enrolled at the institution was 2,397, 8 of which were foreign students. The school admitted a total of 151 transfer students.
Student Population Gender Ratio
With a coeducational student body, the school had 715 male and 1,822 female full-time students in 2024. 61 full-time graduate men and 294 full-time graduate women attended this school.
Student Population Diversity
In order to promote a sense of inclusion and belonging among its students, higher education is dedicated to increasing student diversity. A diverse student body brings together individuals from different backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives. Find out more about different ethnic groups you can meet at Dominican University.
In 2024, out of the total number of students enrolled at the institution, the number of Asian students was 72, while the number of Black American students was 115. 1,556 undergrads at this school identified as Hispanic/Latino and 32 as multirace. The school also had 1 student who declared as Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander, and 4 American Indian or Alaska Native students. There were also 54 students whose ethnicity is unknown.
Cost
Financial planning for school is one of the most important things to consider before you apply. Here are some important facts on Dominican University costs that most students encounter at this school.
Tuition and Fees
Wondering about tuition at Dominican University? Here is what you need to know.
Tuition fees per academic year for full-time domestic students were $38,328 in 2024. Dominican University is a private institution, so tuition is the same for all the accepted students. Fees per academic year required of full-time students summed up to $500 in 2024.
Books and Supplies
The approximate cost of books and supplies for a college or university should also be taken into consideration as another important financial factor. The estimated cost of books and supplies for full-time students of this school is $1,200.
Boarding
When choosing a college, you should factor in the price of a dorm room and meals at the school cafeteria. What is the typical amount colleges and universities charge for lodging and meals?
In 2024, the price of room and board at Dominican University was $11,600 per academic year. If you only needed a room on the campus, you had to pay $6,500 for the 2024 academic year.
| Tuition | $ 38,328 |
| Room and Board | $ 11,600 |
| Book and Supplies | $ 1,200 |
| Total Expense | $ 51,128 |
Financial Aid
Financial help for students comes in different forms: grants, loans, scholarships, or work-study programs. Check out some recent data to get informed about need-based and non-need-based monetary aid students could get at Dominican University.
According to the most recent data, 565 freshmen were awarded financial aid. Students of this school received an average of $30,271 in financial help.
Need-based
If you need help with paying for your studies and you meet certain eligibility requirements, you may be eligible for need-based aid.
1,763 students acquired some form of need-based financial aid. Need-based college-administered scholarship and grant aid at Dominican University is available to international students. The overall number of students (including freshmen) who were determined to have financial need amounted to 1,785. The amount of federal need-based scholarships/grants awarded to the students at this institution reached $7,361,657, and state $10,378,502. The students of Dominican University received the -institutional need-based aid in the amount of $31,378,911, and external in the amount of $713,371.
$20,544
Average Amount of Aid Received
Non-Need Based
Any financial aid given to a student who does not meet the requirements for need-based aid is considered non-need-based aid. Most students get non-need-based financial aid as Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loans, Graduate PLUS Loans, Parent PLUS Loans, and the TEACH Grant.
Institutional non-need-based scholarships or grants were given to 177 students overall (including freshmen) at Dominican University in 2024. 47 full-time freshmen were awarded institutional non-need-based scholarship or grant aid. The total amount of non-need-based institutional scholarships/grants was $8,676,828. This includes endowment, alumni, other institutional awards, and also external funds awarded by the institution, but doesn't include athletic aid and tuition waivers. The amount the students of this school received from external sources (e.g. Kiwanis, National Merit) was $2,053,823 USD.
Open Applications
Find open programs by choosing your preferred academic interest from the list below, and select your desired term start. Get started with your application process and find more information using the Apply button.
The Common Application for Transfer (Common App for transfer)
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Transfer (All Start Terms)
Transfer (All Start Terms)
ApplyStart Year: 2025
Start Term: Rolling
Application Deadline: 2025-07-27
Majors
Faculty
12:1
Student to Faculty Ratio
Knowing more about a school's faculty can help you gauge the caliber of the education it can provide to you.
According to the most recent data, the student-faculty ratio at Dominican University was 12:1: that means 12 students per one teacher, which is considered a good ratio. This school has recently reported to have 406 faculty members. This number included 143 male and 263 female faculty members. The fact that female faculty members outnumber the male ones at this school is telling of the importance gender equality has at Dominican University.
Student Population Diversity Graph
Campus Life
Not everything at Dominican University is about learning and grades: campus life is an essential part of your educational experience. Check out some info about social life at Dominican University.
Its campus is 30 acres in size.
Student Organizations
Student organizations are run by students of an institution, and its membership typically consists exclusively of current students and/or alumni.
According to recently gathered data, there are 40 open-membership organizations at Dominican University. In case you're interested in acting, there is a drama club you can consider joining. For individuals with an interest in media and communication, Dominican University publishes its own newspaper.
Student Services
At Dominican University, there are many amenities required for a pleasant and safe life on campus.
There are emergency phone and alarm devices available around the clock. The school's dormitory entrances are operated electronically. There is a security patrol that operates 24 hours a day. The late-night transport/escort service is available.
This school has a health clinic with personal/psychological counseling. In addition, other services like Veteran's Affairs are available to the students of Dominican University.
All in all, campus life at Dominican University is rich and vibrant and provides everything most students need.
Career Services
Having career services at a college or university can mean a great deal for your career planning, so find out what you can expect at Dominican University.
Career Counselling
At Dominican University, there is both group career counseling for all students and individual career counseling for all students. There are a library, a job bank, and job fairs. Job interviews are also available to students through the career center. The career center offers resume preparation and resume referral to employers. There is campus employer recruitment for all the students. This school offers alumni networking opportunities, which could be excellent for your future career. Individual job placement is available to all students at this school.
FAQ
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Dominican University is located in River Forest, IL.
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Dominican University offers need-based college-administered scholarship and grant aid to international students.
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The overall full-time tuition per academic year for Dominican University is 38,328 USD, based on the most recent data.
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The most recent data indicate that the acceptance rate for Dominican University is 79%.
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According to the latest information, the freshman retention rate for Dominican University is 79%.
Contact Information
Dominican University,
7900 West Division Street
River Forest, IL
60305-1099
790 366-2490
Data Source: IPEDS and Peterson's Databases © 2023 Peterson's LLC All rights reserved. Portions of this content were co-written with OpenAI's GPT-3.5 model.
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Data Source: IPEDS and Peterson's Databases © 2023 Peterson's LLC All rights reserved.
Portions of this content were co-written with OpenAI's GPT-3.5 model.