Founded in 1901, Dominican University. is a Private college. Located in Illinois, which is a city setting in Illinois, the campus itself is Suburban. The campus is home to 2,306 full time undergraduate students, and 1,216 full time graduate students.
The Dominican University Academic calendar runs on a Semester basis. In the school year the student to faculty ratio was 11:1. There are 165 full time instructional teachers. Degrees awarded at Dominican University include: Bachelor's Degree, Masters Degree, Post-master's certificate, Doctor's degree.
Quick Facts
Acceptance Rate
63%
Application Deadline
Application Fee
25
SAT Range
910-1200
ACT Range
20-25
Admissions at DU are considered Selective, with ,15% of all applicants being admitted.
In the school year, of the students who applied to the school, only 11 of those who were admitted eventually ended up enrolling.
85% of incoming freshmen are in the top half of their high school class. 49% were in the top quarter, and 21% were in the top tenth. You can apply online.
STUDENT LIFE Reviews
We asked, and students answered these important questions about student life at Dominican University.
0%
“We”re apathetic”
23%
“We know about current events and vote”
50%
“We participate and encourage others to get involved”
27%
“There”s nothing we won”t protest”
5%
“We save it for the classroom”
18%
“Sometimes, but not often”
59%
“There”s usually intelligent conversation to be found”
18%
“All the time, including weekends”
0%
“I”m always terrified”
0%
“I only go out in groups”
27%
“I usually let someone know where I”m going”
73%
“I feel extremely safe”
35%
“We don”t play sports”
0%
“We play recreationally”
55%
“We bought the gear”
10%
“We live for the big game”
5%
“It”s not really our thing”
14%
“Occasinally we gallery crawl”
73%
“There are a variety of opportunities”
9%
“We”re a very artistic group”
0%
“Haven”t met them”
0%
“Available in class”
41%
“They keep regular office hours”
59%
“They”re always available”
86%
“No greek life, but other groups to join”
9%
“There is some involvement, but not a lot”
5%
“Plenty of people join a sorority or fraternity”
0%
“It”s everything. If you”re not greek, you”re a geek”
23%
“We”re not into drinking at all”
73%
“Maybe a little, but it”s not a big thing”
5%
“We only party on weekends”
0%
“There”s some drinking happening every night”
45%
“Never, we”re here to learn”
45%
“There might be people who do”
9%
“People are known to partake on weekends”
0%
“There”s a huge drug scene”
0%
“We”re apathetic”
23%
“We know about current events and vote”
50%
“We participate and encourage others to get involved”
27%
“There”s nothing we won”t protest”
5%
“We save it for the classroom”
18%
“Sometimes, but not often”
59%
“There”s usually intelligent conversation to be found”
18%
“All the time, including weekends”
0%
“I”m always terrified”
0%
“I only go out in groups”
27%
“I usually let someone know where I”m going”
73%
“I feel extremely safe”
35%
“We don”t play sports”
0%
“We play recreationally”
55%
“We bought the gear”
10%
“We live for the big game”
5%
“It”s not really our thing”
14%
“Occasinally we gallery crawl”
73%
“There are a variety of opportunities”
9%
“We”re a very artistic group”
0%
“Haven”t met them”
0%
“Available in class”
41%
“They keep regular office hours”
59%
“They”re always available”
86%
“No greek life, but other groups to join”
9%
“There is some involvement, but not a lot”
5%
“Plenty of people join a sorority or fraternity”
0%
“It”s everything. If you”re not greek, you”re a geek”
46 Students rated on-campus housing 3.5 stars. 15 % gave the school a 5.0.
How would you rate off-campus housing?
35 Students rated off-campus housing 3.1 stars. 0 % gave the school a 5.0.
How would you rate campus food?
54 Students rated campus food 3.1 stars. 13 % gave the school a 5.0.
How would you rate campus facilities?
57 Students rated campus facilities 4.3 stars. 47 % gave the school a 5.0.
How would you rate class size?
57 Students rated class size 4.6 stars. 67 % gave the school a 5.0.
How would you rate school activities?
57 Students rated school activities 3.7 stars. 26 % gave the school a 5.0.
How would you rate local services?
57 Students rated local services 4 stars. 42 % gave the school a 5.0.
How would you rate academics?
57 Students rated academics 4.1 stars. 42 % gave the school a 5.0.
Dominican University REVIEWS
What's your overall opinion of Dominican University?
32 Students rated Dominican University
JAILENE
College04/02/2025
I am already already attending Dominican University. What motivated me to choose Dominican University was the community within the institution. The school is constantly hosting events for students, where they can communicate with their peers and be involved, providing a supportive environment and creating a place where new friendships can arise.
Juliana
I thought Dominican was an amazing school. I visited their open house on February 8th, 2025. The second I walked in I could feel like warm vibrant environment from not only the professors/teachers but the students as well. You can tell they’re all proud to be there representing their school and they enjoy what they do. I am hoping to commit to a college soon with Dominican being one of my top choices due to their warm and comfortable environment. I would encourage/recommend any student to come in Dominican University.
Jacob
It is a great university that offers a diverse group of students and staff. It is also very close to the city and offers a lot of things to do outside of school. Some of the highlights include food, activities and shopping. The class sizes are smaller and allow the students to be more engaged and receive more guidance from staff.
Yanaira
Dominican University is a good school because they are always trying to make you feel welcomed as well as helping you learn. The teachers are always there to help you out when you are struggling and are willing to tutor you as well. As well as your classmates, they are always there to help you out due to the class rate they have.
Kymm
Dominican is really open and accepting to all students. They pride themselves on their religious background and being open minded to everyone’s opinions and beliefs. Opportunity is a growth on campus and out in the community. Allowing the students to grow successfully if their work is noticed and given chances .
Ashley
From the first moment that I walked into campus, I felt so welcomed by the staff and the students. Now having spent my freshman year at Dominican, I'm sure that I made the right decision because although the campus is small, it is what I personally need to suceeed. Dominican offers a small class setting where students are each challenged in their own ways both inside and outside of a classroom. I have never been to a school where teachers make such an effort to show that they actually care about us.
Kamryn
Dominican University is a nice, quite University in Illinois. Everyone gets along and professors are easily accessible. Everyone comes to support sports teams, and the have many clubs to get involved in. The dorms are nice and clean, and most buildings are connected.
Cristian
My overall opinion of Dominican University is that it is a great university. Dominican offers a variety of areas of study. Dominican has a diverse community of students and strive to ensure that everyone is accepted regardless of their background. In addition to this, Dominican offers a lot of resources to help Hispanics and Latinx students to further their professional career.
Vanessa
Dominican is a private Catholic University that is very inclusive and filled with opportunities. I've had a pheneomenal experience and I'm so grateful for everything I've learned, the people I've met and the relationships that have formed.
Adilene
It is very student community centered. There are a lot of student life activities always going on. Staff is welcoming, friendly, and supportive, but there is al lot of trouble with student accounts, employees taking payment and not entering it correctly, being given wrong information about how you can pay tuition in person, etc.
Perla
My overall opinion of Dominican University is very high. There is always great conversations going on, people are accepting, the teachers are helpful, and there are many great places to study. The classes I have taken so far are very interesting. We are required to take seminar classes and my freshman year, the seminar was about finding ourselves and I found that very helpful.
Sheila
I am a current commuter at Dominican University and have been for the past 3 years. I overall have liked my journey at Dominican. Even though I am a commuter I still spend most of my time on campus studying with my friends or working on my art. Dominican University has a very involved diverse community and the professors on campus are always trying to make sure that their students are getting all the resources they need to pass the class.
Jennifer
I think it is a very good school that is up and coming but they still have a few things to work out. There is a lot of diversity and so many opportunities for students. Many students are involved and overall everyone is very nice. The professors are also very great and it’s a pleasure to know them.
Maria
It has a great interconnectedness and family feel towards the community. Professors are always readily involved and motivational towards one's performance. The classes are small, which I enjoy and it is a campus that is much smaller than other usual universities. The school has a great conveniency and not only is faculty very supportive but also the staff!
michelle
Great vibe and positive energy, everyone is friendly and welcoming. It feels like a family all the professors are intentional, helpful and care a great deal for the students. The students that are here have a desire to learn and get great education. The school advisors help anyway they can to assist with class schedules and financial options.
The fall 2020 acceptance rate for Dominican University is 63%. That means, out of _____ applications received in 2020, _____ students were offered admission.
What should every freshman at your school know before they start?
I would tell myself to really get in the habit of really putting time and effort into studying and doing homework, don't be afraid to make new friends, people don't bite., and stick with Arts, it's in your blood and you know it's something you love.
What do you consider the worst thing about your school? Why?
Because Dominican University is a small, liberal arts school, there is a lack of involvement and sponsorship of the sports teams; therefore, there are fewer ways for the students to come together and support a common goal, along with sustaining the school?s athletic teams. Dominican does not pride itself on its athletics; it seems that a certain aspect of excitement and enthusiasm to be involved is absent from the college atmosphere.
I find the location of Dominican University to be convenient and full of opportunities, I believe it is the best thing about the entire school. It is in a city with many various restaurants, stores, and other services. The Chicago area is filled with such a diverse population which also presents me, along with the other students, with a broad exposure to various ethnicities. Being in such a city and in close proximity of downtown Chicago, I will have many more opportunities to begin and advance my future career, opportunities that are unavailable in smaller cities and towns.
Describe how your school looks to someone who's never seen it.
My school is small, diverse, open-minded, spirited, and academically enriching. The students and teachers are supportive, helpful, and friendly. The teachers push you hard to become a better learner and become proficient and well educated in your career.
My school is best known for its diversity. In fact, there are a wide variety of ethnicities. Exchange students also make up a portion of the students at Dominican University. Diversity in my school is very important because it allows students to learn from other cultures and see other perspectives.
The best person for this school is someone who loves to help, kind, friendly and who really wants a school based on academics. This school is not a party school and you usually can find everyone in the library. At this university there are many volunteer opportunities. Students can do volunteer around Chicago or even around the world. Another great thing is for students who really need the interaction between students and professors. The classes are small and your professors definitely know you by your first name. There is a great communication.
What do you brag about most when you tell your friends about your school?
For a smaller university, the beauty of the campus could compete with some of the most extravagant in the U.S. It has a charming and tranquil feel as a religion-based institution located in a lovely and historical city just outside of Chicago.
What's the one thing you wish someone had told you about freshman year?
to take school more seriously and save enough money to pay for books and not to pull out loans, if i can't afford it then I probably should have considered a different school
All students must apply yearly for financial aid. This process starts with the FAFSA.
Though financial aid deadlines vary by school, it is a good idea to apply as soon as possible. For the upcoming school year, you can apply as early as October 1 for the FAFSA. Additional school aid will be dependent on the FAFSA results.
100% of students attending Dominican University receive some sort of financial aid.
64% were awarded federal grants.80%received federal loans. Many students do also need to apply for additional private student loans.
