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Dominican University of California

San Rafael, CA·Private nonprofit·1,114 students
Last updated: March 21, 2026

A good fit for students who want accessible admissions and students who want small classes and close faculty access. no major red flags in the data. solid earnings of $63,600 within 10 years; strong 78% graduation rate.

84%
Accept
1,114
Students
$35,333
Net Price
78%
Grad Rate
$63,600
Earnings
10 yr
$27,000
Debt

About This School

Dominican University of California is a private nonprofit institution located in San Rafael, California with approximately 1,114 undergraduate students enrolled. Dominican University of California has an open or accessible admissions process, with an acceptance rate of 84%. The average net price after financial aid is $35,333 per year. The graduation rate is 78%, and the typical graduate earns $63,600 within 10 years of enrollment.

Dominican University of California is a private university in San Rafael, California, United States. It was founded in 1890 as Dominican College by the Dominican Sisters of San Rafael. It is one of the oldest universities in California.

Nestled in Marin County with a near-open admission rate (96%), this small Catholic liberal arts school offers a genuinely intimate college experience — 88% of freshmen return for sophomore year, which signals students tend to feel at home here. The numbers tell a reasonably honest story: median earnings of $63,600 a decade out and $27,000 in debt at graduation are a workable combination, though not impressive enough to justify choosing this school purely for financial return. Worth considering if you want small classes, a tight-knit campus culture in a beautiful Bay Area location, and aren't chasing a brand name.

Founded
1890
Setting
Small city
Avg Faculty Salary
$10,036

Popular Programs

Health Professions43%
Business & Marketing14%
Computer Science8%
Biological Sciences8%
Psychology7%
Visual & Performing Arts5%
Social Sciences3%
Education2%

Percentage of degrees awarded. Source: College Scorecard.

Notable Alumni

Hannah Stocking

Source: Wikidata. Used for context only.

Admissions

Test Policy: Considered but not required

SAT Scores

Average Composite1290
Reading 75th %ile660
Math 75th %ile640

ACT Scores

Midpoint Composite23

Cost & Financial Aid

In-State Tuition
$52,161
Out-of-State Tuition
$52,161
Avg Net Price
$35,333
after aid

Net Price by Family Income

Under $30k$24,572
$30–48k$29,275
$48–75k$30,313
$75–110k$35,343
$110k+$43,317

Average annual cost after grants/scholarships, by household income. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.

Financial Aid

Students receiving Pell Grants32%
Median debt at graduation$27,000

Full Cost

After Graduation

Graduation Rate
78%
within 6 years
Retention Rate
85%
freshmen returning
Earnings (10 yr)
$63,600
after enrollment
Median Debt
$27,000
at graduation

Earnings 6 Years After Enrollment, by Gender

Male graduates$50,400
Female graduates$55,400

Gap: -10% less for female graduates. National avg ~16%.

Will This School Pay Off?

Median Debt
$27,000
at graduation
Earnings (6 yr)
$54,200
after enrollment
Earnings (10 yr)
$63,600
after enrollment
Earnings-to-Debt Ratio: 2.4x

Solid return. Earnings outpace debt, though major choice matters.

Earnings data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. These are means across all graduates, not specific to any major.

Student Body

White21%
Black6%
Hispanic/Latino32%
Asian30%
Two or more races1%
Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander1%
International3%

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (1,114 undergraduates).

Contact & Location

Address

Dominican University of California

50 Acacia Ave

San Rafael, CA 94901-2298

View on Google Maps →

Other Schools in California

Browse all California schools →

Sources & Methodology

Data

Primary data source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Accessed via automated sync. Latest values may come from different reporting years depending on the metric.

Contextual Enrichment

School overview from Wikipedia. Used for context only, not as a primary data source for admissions, cost, or outcomes claims.

Important Caveats
  • Earnings figures are institution-level averages, not major-specific.
  • Some metrics are based on Title IV financial aid recipients only.
  • Some values may be privacy-suppressed or rolled up by the Department of Education.
  • Contact the school directly for current admissions requirements and costs.
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