Outcomes-based program rankings.
Program outcomes at Dominican University vary significantly by field of study, with earnings ranging from $36,141 in language studies to $76,672 in accounting technology. The rankings below evaluate programs based on graduate earnings, debt levels, and return on investment rather than prestige or reputation.
Analyzing 15 programs with available earnings data.
These highlights surface Dominican's programs that stand out for national rankings, strong earnings, or substantial enrollment.
#177 nationally
$48K median earnings
This bar shows the range of median earnings across all majors at this school.
The tables below compare programs in each category by earnings, rank, debt, and cohort size.
These sections represent the complete set of ranked undergraduate programs at Dominican University.
Computer Science. leads engineering & technology with 81K in median earnings.
| Program | National Rank | Median Earnings | Median Debt | Cohort Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Computer Science.Small sample | #177 | $80,734 | — | 17 |
Programs at the same institution produce different outcomes because career fields have distinct labor market demands, salary structures, and advancement patterns. Rankings reflect graduate earnings and employment outcomes as reported in federal College Scorecard data, not program prestige or reputation. Value scores combine earnings, debt, and completion rates to assess overall return on investment for each program. Cohort sizes indicate the number of graduates used to calculate earnings figures—larger cohorts provide more reliable data points. Rankings compare programs nationally against all institutions offering similar majors, providing context for how Dominican's programs perform relative to the same fields elsewhere. Students should consider their career goals, salary expectations, and tolerance for debt when evaluating these outcomes alongside program content and fit with their interests.
Median earnings 10 years post-enrollment
Debt burden relative to earnings
Institutional contribution to outcomes
recent graduates
Dominican's business programs demonstrate strong earning potential, with Accounting Technology leading at $76,672 median earnings and ranking #91 nationally. Business Administration, the university's largest program with 69 graduates, produces median earnings of $59,552 and ranks #4 in Illinois.
Both programs show solid value scores above 65, indicating favorable return on investment. These programs are well-suited for students prioritizing career-focused education with strong regional employment connections.
| Program | National Rank | Median Earnings | Median Debt | Cohort Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Accounting Technology/Technician and Bookkeeping. | #86 | $76,672★ | — | 22 |
| Business Administration and Management, General. | #114 | $59,552 | $20,988 | 69 |
| Apparel and Accessories Marketing Operations.Small sample | #10 | $43,058 | — | 16 |
Health professions at Dominican span from Adult Health Nursing ($63,005 earnings, 51 graduates) to Health/Medical Preparatory Programs ($44,569 earnings). While Nursing represents a substantial program with steady employment prospects, the earnings variation reflects different career trajectories within healthcare.
Adult Health Nursing ranks #256 nationally but maintains strong regional demand. These programs are best for students committed to healthcare careers and comfortable with varied earning potential.
| Program | National Rank | Median Earnings | Median Debt | Cohort Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Adult Health Nurse/Nursing. | #257 | $63,005★ | — | 51 |
| Health/Medical Preparatory Programs, Other. | #11 | $44,569 | — | 21 |
Dominican's science programs show mixed outcomes, with Biology General earning $48,438 but ranking #220 nationally, while Natural Sciences achieves exceptional #2 national ranking with $47,987 earnings. The Natural Sciences program demonstrates Dominican's interdisciplinary strength with strong value score of 75.0.
These programs typically serve students preparing for graduate school or professional programs, where earnings may improve substantially with advanced degrees.
| Program | National Rank | Median Earnings | Median Debt | Cohort Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Biology, General. | #213 | $48,438 | — | 23 |
Social sciences programs at Dominican demonstrate competitive outcomes relative to field expectations. Criminology ranks #19 nationally and #2 in Illinois with $48,026 median earnings, while Applied/Public Sociology ranks #75 nationally with $47,191 earnings.
Psychology General ranks #89 nationally with similar earnings of $47,929. These programs achieve strong value scores between 63-75, indicating solid return on investment for social science education.
Best suited for students planning graduate school or public service careers.
| Program | National Rank | Median Earnings | Median Debt | Cohort Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Applied Economics.Small sample | — | $54,644★ | — | 6 |
| Criminology. | #19 | $48,026 | — | 32 |
| Psychology, General. | #87 | $47,929 | — | 42 |
| Applied/Public Sociology. | #80 | $47,191 | — | 32 |
Liberal arts programs show the most varied outcomes, from Commercial Photography at $39,095 to language studies at $36,141. While earnings are lower than professional programs, these fields often lead to careers where income grows significantly with experience or require graduate education for full earning potential.
Commercial Photography ranks #84 nationally and #4 in Illinois, showing regional strength. These programs are best for students prioritizing personal fulfillment and planning strategic career development.
| Program | National Rank | Median Earnings | Median Debt | Cohort Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Commercial Photography. | #87 | $39,095★ | — | 27 |
| Catalan Language and Literature. | #131 | $36,141 | — | 21 |
Adult and Continuing Education and Teaching. leads education with 35K in median earnings.
| Program | National Rank | Median Earnings | Median Debt | Cohort Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Adult and Continuing Education and Teaching.Small sample | #226 | $34,530 | — | 11 |
Dominican's interdisciplinary Natural Sciences program stands out with #2 national ranking and $47,987 median earnings from 22 graduates. This exceptional ranking demonstrates Dominican's strength in innovative program design and delivery.
The program's 75.0 value score indicates excellent return on investment for this type of comprehensive liberal education. Best suited for students seeking broad academic preparation with strong faculty mentorship.
| Program | National Rank | Median Earnings | Median Debt | Cohort Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Natural Sciences. | #2 | $47,987 | — | 22 |
Resources, cohort size, and graduation rates
Trajectory from early to mid-career
Why rankings may differ by program: A university's nursing program and business program can have entirely different outcome profiles. Our methodology surfaces these differences so you can evaluate programs — not just institutions.
