Admit rate has ranged 75%–89% over the last 5 years — notably volatile. Source: IPEDS via Urban Institute.
Acceptance & SAT from Common Data Set / IPEDS; net price, earnings & graduation from the U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard. Figures lag ~1–2 years — verify with the school.
Dominican University New York, a small Catholic institution in Orangeburg, NY, offers a pragmatic blend of liberal arts and career-focused programs—particularly in business, health sciences, and education—with an admissions policy that leans inclusive (acceptance rates hover between 63-98%). Its scenic 64-acre campus, just 17 miles from Manhattan, provides a tight-knit community where 65% of undergraduates are women and the average financial aid package covers significant costs. While graduation rates lag slightly (43-52%), the university emphasizes hands-on learning and support services, appealing to students seeking personalized attention.
Admission requirements
Test-optional — scores considered if submitted
Required
Grade point average
TOEFL (non-native English)
Considered (not required)
Letters of recommendation
Test scores (SAT/ACT)
College-prep program
Source: IPEDS Admissions survey (2022) via Urban Institute. Covers formal factors only — it does not reflect essays, extracurriculars, or other holistic criteria.
More details
Undergrad enrollment
1,105
In-state tuition
$34,220
Out-of-state tuition
$34,220
Location
Orangeburg, NY (17 miles from NYC)
Campus Vibe
Small, Catholic, career-focused with NYC proximity
Acceptance Rate
63-98% (varies by source)
Notable Programs
Business (36% of majors), Nursing, Psychology
Student-Faculty Ratio
12:1
6-Year Graduation Rate
43-52%
Avg Financial Aid Package
$26,055
Outcomes & value
Outcomes & value
Median earnings (10 yr)
$61,171
Value (earnings ÷ net price)
1.5×
Median debt at graduation
$25,000
Graduation rate
53%
First-year retention
66%
Reducing loan balance (3 yr)
52%
Pell (lower-income) share
56%
First-generation share
32%
Endowment / student
$4,642
Financial health
1.1 / 3.0Passing, but in the added-oversight zone
U.S. Dept. of Education Financial Responsibility Composite Score (FY2022-23). Scale −1.0 to 3.0; ≥1.5 meets the standard. Reported for private nonprofit & for-profit institutions only — public universities are state-backed and not scored, so this is a stability signal, not a ranking.
Top-earning majors
Median earnings by field of study (highest credential), ~2 years after completion.
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing$83,177
Business Administration, Management and Operations$38,289
Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods$37,208
Social Work$36,560
Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions$36,134
Criminal Justice and Corrections
Campus & location
Campus safety
On-campus violent crimes (2024)
2
Per 1,000 students
1.81
On-campus criminal offenses classed as violent (murder/non-negligent manslaughter, rape, robbery, aggravated assault) for the most recent reported year. Source: U.S. Dept. of Education Campus Safety and Security (Clery Act). Counts reflect what’s reported to the school, and urban campuses often report more partly due to non-student incidents nearby — read alongside campus size and setting, not as a standalone safety verdict.
Climate
Pleasant days / yr
92
Summer high
83°F
Winter low
28°F
Annual rain
54.4"
Annual snow
22"
Natural-hazard risk
Relatively Moderate
Pleasant days counts days per year with a mean temperature of 55–75°F, a high at or below 90°F, a low at or above 45°F, and little precipitation — a transparent comfort measure, not a weighting we invented. Computed from Open-Meteo ERA5 daily history (2019–2023). Natural-hazard risk is the county’s composite rating from the FEMA National Risk Index.
Quick answers
What is the acceptance rate at Dominican University New York?
Dominican University New York's acceptance rate is approximately 63% (Orangeburg, NY), based on the most recent figures we compiled from public and primary sources.
How much does Dominican University New York cost?
At Dominican University New York, the average net price (after aid) is about $41,832 per year. Actual cost varies with financial aid and residency.
How many undergraduates attend Dominican University New York?
Dominican University New York enrolls approximately 1,105 undergraduate students.
Where is Dominican University New York located?
Dominican University New York is located in Orangeburg, NY.
Admissions
Dominican University New York operates with a notably accessible admissions process, with Acceptance rateThe share of applicants a college admits in a given year. A 10% acceptance rate means it admits about 1 in 10 applicants. ranging from 63% (Niche) to 97.7% (PrepScholar), though recent records suggest increased selectivity as applications surge. The middle 50% of admitted students typically score between 1100-1240 on the SAT or 22-26 on the ACT (College Raptor). High school GPA is required, but test scores are neither mandatory nor recommended (Niche). Recent years saw record application volumes, with 2,318 applicants in one cycle, of whom 2,265 were accepted (Peterson’s). The undergraduate student body is 65% female, reflecting a gender imbalance common in regional liberal arts colleges.
Earnings = median of students working ~10 years after entry; debt = median of graduates. Value divides 10-yr earnings by one year’s net price — read it as earnings per dollar of annual cost, not a full lifetime ROI; it favors lower-cost schools. Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard. Figures lag ~2 years and reflect all students, not your intended major.
$33,459
Communication and Media Studies$32,391
Social Sciences, General$32,071
Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard (field-of-study earnings). Figures cover graduates who received federal aid and lag ~2 years; not all programs report data.
Dominican’s academic offerings skew toward practical fields, with Business Administration (36% of majors) and Psychology (67% growth in recent years) dominating enrollment (College Raptor). The university, which transitioned from 'college' to 'university' status in 2021, emphasizes its liberal arts core while expanding health sciences programs like nursing and occupational therapy. Small class sizes—averaging 15 students—and a 12:1 student-faculty ratio foster close mentorship. Unique among peers, Dominican requires all undergraduates to complete experiential learning (internships, research, or community engagement), embedding career preparation into its curriculum.
Life on Dominican’s wooded 64-acre campus revolves around tight-knit traditions and proximity to NYC. The university promotes a 'vibrant but manageable' social scene, with 30+ clubs (including a strong theater program) and NCAA Division II athletics (Chargers teams compete in the Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference). Housing is guaranteed for all four years, and the campus’s hilltop setting—with views of the Palisades—earns praise for its 'dorm-room vistas' (YouTube student testimonials). Weekend shuttles to Manhattan (45 minutes away) let students balance suburban quiet with urban exploration. A recurring theme in student reviews: 'You’re never anonymous here,' thanks to mandatory chapel credits and faculty-led service trips.
Six-year graduation rates sit at 43-52% (US News, College Scorecard), below national averages but typical for regional private colleges with open-access missions. Median earnings for graduates hover around $29,622 early-career (Research.com), with stronger outcomes in nursing and business fields. The university highlights its 94% career placement rate within six months of graduation (internal data), though federal disclosures show 25% of borrowers struggle with loan repayment. Pell Grant recipients graduate at nearly the same rate as peers—a rarity—suggesting robust support for lower-income students.
With a sticker price of $46,312 for middle-income families (Tuition Tracker), Dominican offsets costs via generous aid: the average package totals $26,055, reducing Net priceWhat a family actually pays after grants and scholarships are subtracted from the sticker price — usually far less than the published cost. to $23,747 (Meetyourclass.com). 98% of undergraduates receive some form of aid, including merit scholarships (up to $25,000 annually) and need-based grants. The university meets 72% of demonstrated need on average, though gaps remain for low-income students—those from families earning <$30k pay ~$18k annually after aid (College Scorecard).
Dominican carves a niche by merging Catholic identity (mandatory theology courses, weekly Mass) with pragmatic professional training—its nursing grads consistently outperform state licensing exam averages. The campus’s hybrid location—suburban serenity with NYC access—attracts students seeking both community and internships. Unlike many faith-based schools, Dominican welcomes non-Catholics (25% of students) while retaining traditions like the 'Founders Day' candlelight ceremony. Its Achilles’ heel? Retention: only 68% of freshmen return for sophomore year (IPEDS), a figure the university is addressing via expanded advising.
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