Founded in 1890 by the Dominican Sisters, whose convent still sits on campus, this small private university features more than 60 programs. Along with traditional undergraduate and graduate programs, the school offers an extensive adult education program, degree completion program or night-school, an online degree program and a number of certificate programs.
Though tuition can be $33,500 per year for an undergraduate student, over 90 percent of the students are on some kind of financial aid. In addition, the school offers a "Four-Year Guarantee," which says that if a student meets regularly with their counselor they are guaranteed to be able to have all the classes they need to graduate in four years. If that doesn't happen, then the fifth year is free. Admission is on a rolling basis.
The school also recently became a member of the NCAA Division II PacWest Conference and has extensive sports facilities, which are used by local youth groups and the public, as well. In the summer, the school hosts a number of athletic camps for kids.
Set amid trees in the heart of San Rafael, the campus boasts a number of gardens, beautiful dorms and historic buildings.