Admit rate has ranged 75%–89% over the last 5 years — notably volatile, though the latest figure above (63%) falls outside that window. 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, perched in the scenic hills of Orangeburg, is a small, evolving institution that has recently transitioned from 'college' to 'university' status. It operates as a practical, career-focused gateway, particularly strong in nursing, business, and education, with a student body that is overwhelmingly female and a campus life that promises a 'supportive community' amid its quiet, suburban setting. While its admissions are accessible, the financial picture for families is complex, with a high sticker price and outcomes that show a significant earnings premium for some graduates but a graduation rate that lags behind national averages.
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
Application Fee
$40
Graduation Rate
53%
Demonstrated Interest
Considered
Student-Faculty Ratio
14:1
Median Earnings (10yr)
$61,171
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
48%
First-gen share (among federal-aid recipients)
32%
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
1.44
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's admissions process is best described as accessible and moderately selective, with a focus on building a class from a large pool of applicants. The university reports a total enrollment of 1,396 students, with an undergraduate student body that is 65% female. Published from external sources vary widely, from as high as 97.7% to as low as 63%, reflecting different data years and cohorts; the institution's own indicates it has a selective admission policy for out-of-state students and for some specific programs, while maintaining a more open policy for others. The middle 50% SAT range for admitted students who submit scores is typically reported between 1100 and 1240, with an average high school GPA around 3.04. Demonstrated interest is a factor the university considers in its admissions decisions. The application fee is $40, and a high school diploma is required. There is no mention of a binding Early Decision program in the provided sources; admissions materials encourage prospective students to contact the Office of Admissions directly to inquire about eligibility for academic awards.
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.
Academics at Dominican are structured around a liberal arts core with a pronounced tilt toward pre-professional and career-oriented fields. The university organizes its 'myriad of degree programs' through several academic divisions, designed to prepare students for careers in business, health care, education, and more. It promotes the benefits of a 'broad-based liberal arts education' paired with specialized academic tracks. The institution's strongest academic reputation is specifically in liberal arts, business, education, and health-related programs, with nursing being a particularly notable offering. Popular majors align with this focus, spanning Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services; Social Sciences; and Health Professions and Related Programs. Even within the humanities, such as the English major, the curriculum is marketed for teaching 'in-demand hard and soft skills to increase your employability and potential salary.' The student-faculty ratio is reported as 14:1, suggesting the potential for more personalized attention in classrooms.
Campus life is marketed as a 'vibrant' and 'supportive community' with a wealth of activities and services to help students adjust. The 60-acre campus is described as a 'scenic university setting amid beautiful hills and manicured lawns,' located in Orangeburg, NY—a suburban area that offers access to the entertainment and culture of the broader New York City region. The university encourages students to 'immerse yourself' through clubs, organizations, events, and activities that are meant to enhance the college experience. A 'wide range of activities' and a 'network of support services' are explicitly highlighted. Student testimonials and videos suggest the campus community is a defining feature, with students speaking firsthand about what makes Dominican a 'special place.'
Post-graduation outcomes at Dominican present a mixed but promising picture, with a significant earnings lift for many alumni against a backdrop of moderate graduation rates. The institution has been recognized for outperforming its predicted graduation rate; one report notes it was given a predicted rate of 54% but achieved an actual 6-year graduation rate of 62%, an 8-point gain. External data sources report median alumni salaries around $49,871, but a more specific and notable figure highlights that Dominican graduates who received federal Pell Grants earn a median salary of $95,437 just four years after graduation. Another analysis states graduates earn 50% more than the national college median. The university's performance on metrics like graduation rates and the of a degree contributed to it receiving a high score (4.5 stars) in a national ranking of best colleges.
The at Dominican University New York is substantial, but the institution emphasizes its efforts to offset this with financial aid. The university states it offers 'generous financial aid packages averaging $27,692' to help students achieve their goals. The —the average cost after aid and scholarships—is reported differently across sources: one lists it at $32,253, another at $23,907 after scholarships and grants, with an average aid package of $20,163. The financial aid process requires completion of the FAFSA, and eligibility for certain types of aid is based on demonstrated financial need, while other aid may be available regardless of need. The university provides a Net Price Calculator for early financial planning and offers guidance on federal and state aid programs, including New York's Aid for Part-Time Study (APTS). There is no indication in the provided sources that Dominican University New York has a policy of meeting 100% of demonstrated financial need without loans.
Dominican University New York stands out for its distinct evolution and its targeted academic mission. Its recent transition from 'Dominican College' to 'Dominican University New York' signals a growth in stature and program offerings. It carves a specific niche as a smaller, teaching-focused institution that successfully blends a liberal arts foundation with direct pathways into high-demand fields like nursing, business, and education. The campus offers a classic, secluded collegiate environment that is still within reach of New York City. Perhaps most compelling is its record of propelling students from lower-income backgrounds (Pell Grant recipients) to high earnings shortly after graduation, suggesting its career-focused approach can deliver strong returns for those who persist. It’s a university that knows its identity: not a sprawling research powerhouse, but a community-oriented launchpad for practical, professional futures.
Dominican University New York seal · sourceOur Campus - Dominican University · sourceDominican University New York - Wikipedia · sourceCampus Map - Dominican University · source
