Dominican University
Dominican University — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Dominican University at a Glance
Dominican University (DU) is a private Catholic university in River Forest, Illinois, United States. Affiliated with the Sinsinawa Dominican Sisters, it offers bachelor's and master's degrees, certificate programs, and PhDs in information studies and Applied Social Justice. Dominican University has more than 50 majors in the Rosary College of Arts and Sciences and 20 programs in five graduate academic divisions. From 1922 to 1997, the institution was named Rosary College.
1901
125 years old
$51M
$51.3 million (2022)
3,803
2,642 undergrad · 1,161 grad
152
30 acres
Identity
Is Dominican University Worth It?
Dominican University delivers solid financial returns for its graduates. At $11,745/year, it's priced 42% below average, while graduates go on to earn $60,327 — 12% above the national average.
The investment pays for itself in just 0.8 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
A 59% graduation rate is a serious red flag — fewer than 6 in 10 students finish. Those who don't graduate may still carry student debt without the higher-earning credential to show for it.
With a 90% acceptance rate, admission is essentially open — the question isn't whether you'll get in, but whether the investment will pay off.
Bottom line: Dominican University delivers strong financial returns that justify the investment for most students.
How Dominican University compares to peer private nonprofit colleges of similar tier in IL
Ranked #3 of 81 on value score. Peers are matched by size, median earnings, SAT, and admission rate — not just geography.
| Rank | College | Value | Net price / yr | Median earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Saint Mary's University of Minnesota | 83 | $11,704 | $58,170 |
| #2 | Saint Xavier University | 77 | $10,970 | $58,656 |
| #3 | Dominican University | 75 | $11,745 | $60,327 |
| #4 | Saint Peter's University | 72 | $12,199 | $57,815 |
| #5 | Trinity Washington University | 67 | $9,302 | $53,804 |
| #6 | Albion College | 61 | $14,301 | $58,799 |
Peer group: private nonprofit colleges within ±60% of Dominican University's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 6 in IL.
Best Programs at Dominican University
The highest-earning program at Dominican University is Computer Science at $63,700/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Biology, General at $22,700/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Computer Science graduate from Dominican University earns $63,700, while a Biology, General graduate earns $22,700. That's more than a 2× difference from the same institution. Choose your program carefully — it's the single biggest lever you control.
Debt also varies by program: Computer Science graduates carry $27,000 in median debt vs. $26,949 for Biology, General.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $11,745/yr net price × 4 years
Earnings Premium
vs. national average of $53,787/yr
Payback Period
Time to recoup the total cost through higher earnings
10-Year Net Gain
Median earnings over 10 years minus total cost of attendance
Programs & Earnings by Major
Graduate earnings data by field of study (4 years after graduation):
| Major | Earnings (4yr) | Earnings (1yr) | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Computer Science | $63,700 | $63,700 | $27,000 |
| Accounting and Related Services | $49,400 | $49,400 | $25,981 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $36,500 | $36,500 | $26,000 |
| Specialized Sales, Merchandising and Marketing Operations | $35,900 | $35,900 | $27,000 |
| Natural Sciences | $31,400 | $31,400 | $27,000 |
| Dietetics and Clinical Nutrition Services | $30,100 | $30,100 | $26,750 |
| Sociology | $29,200 | $29,200 | $27,000 |
| Criminology | $28,900 | $28,900 | $27,000 |
| Health/Medical Preparatory Programs | $26,100 | $26,100 | $12,500 |
| Psychology, General | $25,900 | $25,900 | $26,349 |
| Biology, General | $22,700 | $22,700 | $26,949 |
Similar Colleges in IL
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- private
- Location
- River Forest, IL
- Student Body
- 2,561 students
- Admission Rate
- 90%
- Graduation Rate
- 59%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $11,745
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $60,327
- Median Student Debt
- $24,411