
San Rafael, CAprivate nonprofitdominican.edu
Admit rate has ranged 86%–96% 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 of California is a small, welcoming liberal arts school in San Rafael that punches above its weight with strong outcomes—its graduates earn median salaries of $71k within six years, outperforming many larger institutions. With an 84% acceptance rate and test-optional admissions, Dominican attracts a diverse, academically solid student body (average high school GPA: 3.7) who thrive in its intimate, community-focused environment. The university’s 60+ majors, including standout programs in history/political science and the visual arts, emphasize hands-on learning and reflection rooted in Dominican ideals.
Test-optional — scores considered if submitted
Source: IPEDS Admissions survey (2022) via Urban Institute. Covers formal factors only — it does not reflect essays, extracurriculars, or other holistic criteria.
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Outcomes & value
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.
Median earnings by field of study (highest credential), ~2 years after completion.
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.
Campus & location
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.
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.
Institutional research volume and impact from OpenAlex. The h-index reflects large research universities and will be low for teaching-focused liberal-arts colleges — not a measure of undergraduate quality.
Mobility rate = the share of students who both start in the bottom household-income quintile and reach the top quintile; bottom → top is that chance conditional on starting at the bottom. Source: Opportunity Insights Mobility Report Cards (Chetty, Friedman, Saez, Turner & Yagan). Reflects 1980–82 birth cohorts, so it’s directional, not current.
Dominican’s admissions process is accessible but not a rubber stamp—while the 84% Acceptance rateThe share of applicants a college admits in a given year. A 10% acceptance rate means it admits about 1 in 10 applicants. suggests a welcoming approach, admitted students typically boast a 3.7 average high school GPA. Test scores (SAT: 1210–1300, ACT: 22–30) are considered but not required, aligning with its Test-optionalA policy where you choose whether to submit SAT or ACT scores. If you don't, the rest of your application carries more weight. policy. The university practices open admission for in-state applicants but is selective for out-of-state students and certain programs. Notably, there’s no application fee, lowering barriers to entry.
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.
With over 60 majors and concentrations, Dominican blends liberal arts rigor with practical preparation. The history and political science program is a standout, explicitly designed to feed into law school or graduate studies. Visual and performing arts (6% of majors) and social sciences (4%) are also popular. Small class sizes and a student-faculty ratio of 10:1 foster close mentorship. The curriculum emphasizes Dominican values—study, reflection, community, and service—with interdisciplinary opportunities woven throughout.
Life at Dominican revolves around its tight-knit, engaged community. About 65% of students live on campus, creating a residential vibe despite the commuter-friendly Bay Area location. Students can join 35+ clubs or lead in student government, while spiritual life—rooted in Dominican traditions but inclusive—offers meditation, interfaith dialogue, and service projects. The university leans into its Marin County setting with outdoor activities, but also hosts arts events and speakers that draw from San Francisco’s cultural scene.
Dominican delivers strong ROI: graduates earn a median $71k within six years ($85k by year 10), outperforming national averages. The 77% graduation rate notably exceeds predictions by 8 percentage points. Nearly all undergrads receive grant aid, reducing median debt at graduation to $27k—far below the national average. Alumni networks in the Bay Area and beyond help fuel these outcomes, particularly in education, arts, and public service.
Tuition and fees run about $50k annually, but 99% of first-year students receive grants or scholarships, significantly lowering net costs. The university emphasizes affordability through its Net priceWhat a family actually pays after grants and scholarships are subtracted from the sticker price — usually far less than the published cost. calculator and robust aid packages (averaging $25k+ for freshmen). Private college premiums are offset by Dominican’s strong earnings outcomes—alumni ROI averages $838k over 40 years, surpassing public university grads.
Dominican combines the intimacy of a small liberal arts college with the career pragmatism of a regional university. Its secret sauce? A values-driven education that doesn’t sacrifice outcomes—students graduate with less debt and higher salaries than peers at comparable institutions. The Marin County location offers both natural beauty and proximity to San Francisco’s opportunities, while the Dominican ethos (community, reflection) fosters a purposeful, close-knit culture rare in California’s higher-ed landscape.