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Lewis University vs Dominican University: which has better ROI?

Private nonprofit, Romeoville IL · vs · Private nonprofit, River Forest IL

The verdict

Lewis University has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $68,112 in 3.8 years versus 3.9 years at Dominican University, on median earnings of $66,099 vs $60,327 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureLewis UniversityDominican University
Net price / yr$17,028$11,745
Total net cost$68,112$46,980
Median earnings, 10 yrs$66,099$60,327
Median debt$21,500$24,411
Payback3.8 yrs3.9 yrs
20-year net return$286,668$192,360

College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.

Which is cheaper, Lewis University or Dominican University?

Dominican University, at $11,745 a year after aid versus $17,028 — a gap of $5,283 a year, or $21,132 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

Do Lewis University or Dominican University graduates earn more?

Lewis University graduates report a median $66,099 ten years after entry, $5,772 more than the $60,327 at Dominican University. Both are institution-wide medians from federal tax records, so a high-paying major at the lower school can beat the average at the higher one.

Which leaves students with less debt, Lewis University or Dominican University?

Lewis University: its completers carry a median $21,500 in federal loans versus $24,411 at Dominican University, a difference of $2,911. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.

Which graduates more of its students?

67% of students finish at Lewis University, against 55% at Dominican University. Completion matters to the ROI arithmetic because a degree that is never finished still carries its cost and its debt, but earns none of the graduate premium above the $48,360 high-school baseline.

Lewis University vs Dominican University: frequently asked questions

Is Lewis University or Dominican University a better value?
Lewis University. It clears its $68,112 net cost in about 3.8 years versus 3.9 years at Dominican University, on median earnings of $66,099 vs $60,327 ten years out.
Which is cheaper, Lewis University or Dominican University?
Dominican University: $11,745/yr net price after aid versus $17,028/yr at Lewis University — a difference of $5,283 a year, or about $21,132 over four years.
Do Lewis University or Dominican University graduates earn more?
Lewis University graduates earn a median $66,099 ten years after entry, versus $60,327 at Dominican University — a $5,772 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.