Arial view of campus

Dominican at a Glance

Dominican University is highly regarded for its academic rigor, intentional affordability and values-based, relationship-centered learning environment. U.S. News & World Report ranks Dominican as follows:

  • #10 in the Midwest. Ranked 10th overall from among nearly 160 master's level universities in the Midwest.
  • #1 Best Value. Ranked first in the prestigious publication's list of "Best Value Schools" in Illinois. This study looks closely at each school's academic quality and average cost of attendance.
  • #3 in Social Mobility. Recognized Dominican's success in enrolling and graduating large proportions of economically disadvantaged students, placing second in Illinois. Dominican is one of only two schools in the country in our category ranked among the top 10 overall and for social mobility.
  • #6 in Best Undergraduate Teaching. Recognizes the Dominican faculty's unusually strong commitment to high-quality teaching at the undergraduate level.

We offer hundreds of avenues at the undergraduate and graduate levels to explore career interests and experience diverse cultures and international environments. And we organize and support 60-plus projects and learning experiences that contribute effectively to the good of local and global communities.

Rigorous Education

More than 50 undergraduate degree options, 20 graduate degrees and research opportunities, demanding academics, personal attention and deep interactions in classes that average 16 students.

Career-enhancing Opportunities

Pre-professional programs, six fifth- and sixth-year master's degrees, multiple locations, full- and part-time schedules, evening classes and certification and endorsement programs.

Top-ranked Hispanic-Serving Institution

Dominican is a leader among the nation’s Hispanic-Serving Institutions, advancing opportunity and ensuring the success of our Latinx and low-income students. As a federally designated HSI since 2011, Dominican has grown from a Hispanic-enrolling institution to a model for how to truly serve today’s diverse Latinx student populations. We are expanding scholarships, reducing equity gaps, creating new pathways to graduate school and careers, and more. As a Top 10 U.S. News regional university, we are the highest ranked HSI in the Midwest. Learn more

Proven Mentors

Professors combine strong academic credentials and passion for teaching with real-world expertise and robust professional connections

Strategic Partnerships

Combined and dual degree programs through key alliances with the University of Illinois Chicago School of Law, McCormick Theological Seminary, Roosevelt University, Illinois Institute of Technology and Loyola University Chicago

Ideal Location

Scenic main campus on 37 wooded acres in suburban River Forest, minutes from downtown Chicago with access to the city's internships, career opportunities, arts, entertainment and shopping

Accreditations
  • Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools (www.hlcommission.org)
  • Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business
  • Committee on Accreditation of the American Library Association
  • Commission on Accreditation of the Council on Social Work Education
  • Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics
  • Illinois State Board of Education
  • Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
  • Accreditation-Continued from the Accreditation Review Commission for the Physician Assistant
University Type

Private, not-for-profit, coed; Master's Colleges & Universities—Larger Programs

Religious Affiliation

Roman Catholic

Origins

Founded in 1901 as St. Clara College in Sinsinawa, Wisconsin; relocated to River Forest, Illinois in 1922 and renamed Rosary College; expanded to become Dominican University in 1997

Here are a few more quick facts you should know about Dominican.

Opportunity Index
  • 50+ undergraduate academic programs
  • 35 student clubs and organization
  • Seven professional and pre-professional programs
  • 19 master's degrees and a PhD
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: 10:1
  • Fall applicant tuition deposit is refundable until May 1
Global Reach
  • Four continents where Dominican students study
  • Fifteen study abroad programs
  • Year of initial study-abroad program (one of the oldest in the nation): 1925
  • Twelve nations are represented in the student body
Community Demographics (Fall 2021)
  • 2,063 Undergraduate Students
  • 1,003 Graduate Students
  • 3,066 Total Enrollment
Campus
  • 939,000 square feet of buildings
  • Four residence halls
  • Two theaters plus rehearsal rooms, art gallery, and fashion and dance studios
  • 70,000+ square-foot central library with more than 300,000 materials
  • 10 miles to downtown Chicago
  • Thirty-acre main campus is in River Forest, a residential suburb located ten miles west of downtown Chicago. Classes are also offered at the Dominican Priory campus in River Forest as well as other sites in the Chicago area and online.
Tuition and Financial Aid (2022–2023)
  • Undergraduate: $35,850 per year full time ($1,195 per credit hour part time)
  • Graduate: $225 to $1,005 per credit hour, depending on program
  • Room and board: $11,050 to $13,300 (includes meal plan with flex dollars)
  • For the 2021–2022 academic year, 100% of all incoming freshmen received some form of financial aid with an average need-based scholarship/grant award of $27,376. The average total award, including institutional scholarship/grants, federal grants, state grants, work-study and student loans for freshmen is $34,131.