Overview
Enrollment
Best Colleges Rank
| Location | San Rafael, California |
| Online | dominican.edu |
| School Type | Private 4 Year |
| Setting | Small City |
| Size | Small |
| Status | Non-profit |
| On Campus Housing | Yes |
| Level of Study | Undergrad/Graduate |
Dominican University of California is situated in San Rafael, located 12 miles north of San Francisco in Marin County. The private liberal arts institution operates from a 75-acre campus featuring a mix of Spanish Renaissance and contemporary architecture, with the historic Angelico Hall serving as a campus centerpiece since the university's founding in 1890 by the Dominican Sisters of San Rafael. Originally established as a women's college, Dominican became coeducational in 1971 and maintains a moderately selective admission process. The university is recognized for its nursing, business, and occupational therapy programs, along with its distinctive honors program that integrates traditional liberal arts with professional education. Students are required to live on campus for their first two years, with housing available in five residential communities that accommodate approximately half of the undergraduate population.
Ratings
Overall
Academics
Resources
Outcomes
Value
DUofC is rated within the top 36% of four-year colleges nationally and earns a CollegeSimply grade of 7 out of 10. Learn how ratings are calculated
Rankings
Rankings for Dominican University of California within the 2025 CollegeSimply Best Colleges Lists.
#303 in Best Colleges in the U.S.
#219 in Best Private Colleges in the U.S.
#29 in Best Colleges in California
#20 in Best Private Colleges in California
#591 in Best Value Colleges in the U.S.
#41 in Best Value Colleges in California
View the CollegeSimply ranking methodology.
Getting In
Admission Standards
| SAT | 1070/1291 |
| ACT | 22/30 |
| GPA | 3.66 |
Applications Accepted
| Applications Due | - |
| Applicant Competition | Very Low |
| Application Fee | $0 |
Annual Cost to Attend
Tuition
| Fee | Cost |
|---|---|
| Books and Supplies | $1,152 |
| Other Fees | $845 |
| Room and Board | $15,986 |
| Budget for Other Expenses | $3,122 |
| Total One Year Cost | $70,926 |
Outcomes
Average Salary After 10 Years
Bachelor's Degree Graduation Rate
Popular Areas of Study
| Subject | Percent of Class |
|---|---|
| Health Professions | 35% |
| Business | 13% |
| Liberal Arts and Humanities | 12% |
| Biology | 10% |
| Psychology | 10% |
Other Colleges to Consider
Students considering DUofC are frequently interested in these similar colleges.
Primary data source, U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=113698 IPEDS survey data for Dominican University of California.
Current students may use the Dominican University of California GPA calculator to determine their current college GPA.
Last updated February 24, 2025