Associate of Arts in Liberal Arts and Sciences

Financing Your Degree: Dominican’s No Out-of-Pocket Promise

Recognized as the #1 Best Value School in Illinois by U.S. News and World Report, Dominican University is committed to making higher education accessible for every student. Through our No Out-of-Pocket Promise, students who commute to the Chicago campus and qualify for the full Pell Grant and Illinois MAP Grant* will have their tuition and mandatory fees fully covered, resulting in no out-of-pocket cost.

Students who choose to live on site may pay as low as $5,550 for tuition, housing plus a daily meal plan, and limited scholarships are available to reduce costs and ensure the program is within reach.

Every student receives a laptop and UPass for convenient transportation around the city. Loans and flexible payment plans are also available to assist with any remaining expenses.

*Based on Pell and MAP grant levels as of September 2025. 

What You'll Learn

Dominican’s associate degree goes beyond typical two-year programs with a unique job-ready focus. Our curriculum was developed with direct input from employers, ensuring you'll develop the skills you need to succeed. But learning isn’t contained in the classroom. You’ll use the city as your campus, gaining hands-on experience at sites throughout Chicago on a set day each week. 

Unlike most community college or transfer programs, every course is intentionally designed to connect to Dominican’s bachelor’s degree pathways—ensuring no credits are wasted and every class keeps you moving toward your four-year degree. After graduation, you can seamlessly transition into our top-ranked bachelor’s degree programs, should you choose to continue your studies. 

Not interested in a bachelor’s degree? That’s OK, too. As part of the program, you’ll choose a concentration in one of four in-demand areas, including cybersecurity, nursing assistant, translation and interpretation or legal studies. Through specialized coursework and hands-on experiences, you’ll gain the skills you need to excel in your field of interest. 

Stand Out in Your Career Search

Throughout the program, you’ll gain exposure to a wide variety of companies and have countless opportunities to network with Chicago’s top employers. We’ll make our connections your connections so that you graduate with an established network. You’ll also build critical thinking skills through a rigorous liberal arts curriculum, uniquely preparing you for the job market. 

Unlike other two-year programs, you won’t just leave with an associate credential—you’ll graduate with a built-in next step, a professional network, and the experience to land a career in your field of interest.

Live and Study in Pilsen

In year one of the program, you can choose to take advantage of apartment-style living at La Casa Residence Hall, located steps away from the CTA Pink Line. You and a roommate will share a floor with eight other students, building community in the shared study spaces and kitchen. Nearly everything you need, from laundry to academic support resources, is located on-site. 

Prefer to live at home? That works too. You’ll still have full access to all advising, tutoring, and student life supports. Either way, you’ll receive a UPass to help you explore the city without additional out-of-pocket expenses.

In year two, you’ll have the ability to live wherever suits your lifestyle—at home, on your own or on campus. 

Personalized Support On-Site 

This isn’t your traditional two-year program. Dominican’s associate degree program offers extensive support both in the classroom and beyond. From academic counseling to career coaching, experienced, full-time faculty will craft a personalized success plan and support your progress—every step of the way. 

On-site resources extend well beyond your coursework and include help with basic needs (food, housing and social service), technological assistance, financial wellness, mental health assistance and more.

Dominican’s unique combination of personalized support plus guaranteed transfer into a bachelor’s program is something community colleges and most two-year programs can’t match.
 

Built-In Support Network

When you join Dominican, you join a community committed to your success. You won’t find this level of support at any community college. You will move through your two years as part of a cohort, building a network of support with students who share similar experiences and backgrounds.

At Dominican, nearly half of our students are the first in their family to attend college, and more than 70% of undergraduates are students of color. That means you are entering a community that reflects your story, celebrates your strengths, and is committed to lifting each other up.

This is so much more than an associate degree. It’s a pathway to your future. An invitation to a community—a family—who will help you chart your course while empowering you to create lasting change. It’s where you belong. Let’s get started!