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Dordt University

Dort

Sioux Center, Iowa 51250-1606

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Data last updated: May 29, 2026

Campus Vibe

Tight-knitCollege townGreek life

Known for business

Dordt University is a private institution in Sioux Center with particular strength in business and engineering. With an average SAT of 1175, the school attracts a broad applicant pool.

A small campus of 1.5K undergraduates with a 14:1 student-faculty ratio. The town location creates a classic college-town feel.

65% of students graduate within four years, and graduates earn a median of $52,559 a decade after enrollment. Net price after aid averages $25,383.

Established
1955
Motto
Soli Deo Gloria
Type
Private university
Conference
National Association of
Division
Division III

Campus Visits

46 upcoming visits · Next: Fri, May 29 · Campus Tour

Plan Your Visit

71%Acceptance
1175SAT Avg
1,547Students
14:1Student:Faculty
65%Grad Rate
$52,559Earnings 10yr
$25,383Net Price

Admissions

Acceptance Rate71.2%

SAT Score Ranges

Average: 1175

Reading & WritingMid: 580
510620
MathMid: 590
520610

ACT Score Range

CompositeMid: 25
2127

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard / IPEDS.

Cost & Financial Aid

Sticker Price

Tuition$35,960
Room & Board$11,430
Books & Supplies$1,010
Total Cost of Attendance$49,722
Average Net Price$25,383
Median Debt at Graduation$21,500
Monthly Payment (10yr)$228

Net Price by Family Income

$0–30K$20,966
$30–48K$20,971
$48–75K$23,110
$75–110K$26,192
$110K+$31,607

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Net price reflects most recent cohort of federally-aided undergraduates.

Debt & Aid Detail

Net Price Trend

Tuition Trend

Graduate w/ Zero Debt

57.0%

Avg Tuition Increase

3.6%/yr

Median Debt at Grad

$17,500

Campus Safety

Total Incidents (2024)

9

Peer Average

13

3-Year Trend

Emergency System

Campus security, emergency notification system

Incident Breakdown (2024)

2

Burglary

0

Aggravated Assault

0

Robbery

1

Motor Vehicle Theft

1

Sex Offenses

0

Arson

3

Drug Arrests

2

Liquor Arrests

Source: U.S. Department of Education Campus Safety & Security data (Clery Act, 2024 reporting year).

Programs (97)

Student Life

Student Satisfaction

Retention Rate

85%

Positive

Student Body

Undergrads
1,547
Gender Split
49% / 51%
Women / Men
First Generation
12%
Pell Grant Recipients
18%

Race & Ethnicity

White 80%
Black 1%
Hispanic 3%
Asian 1%
Two+ 2%
Int'l 10%

Outcomes

4-Year Graduation Rate65.3%
Freshman Retention85.2%

Median Earnings After Graduation

6 Years$50,551
10 Years$52,559

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Earnings reflect federally-aided students 6 and 10 years after entry.

More About This School

Varsity Sports — Defenders

Basketball championshipIce hockeySeason ends

History & Fun Facts

  • History Dordt University was founded as Midwest Christian Junior College in 1953.
  • In 1954, a group of men from local Christian Reformed Churches in Iowa, South Dakota and Minnesota agreed to establish the college in Sioux Center.
  • It was tentatively referred to as Midwest Christian Junior College, and the first classes were held at the college in the fall of 1955 with about 40 students.
  • In April 1956, the name was changed to Dordt College.
  • This name was chosen to honor a historic 17th century Reformed church meeting called the Synod of Dordt that took place in the Netherlands in 1618–1619.

Source: Wikipedia

Location & Lifestyle

Cost of Living

89Low

Estimated from IA state average

Climate (School Year)

Snowfall: 60"Sunny days: 200Rainy days: 125

Nearest Cities

Minneapolispop. 430K
195 mi(338 min)
Kansas Citypop. 500K
287 mi(497 min)
Milwaukeepop. 570K
417 mi(723 min)

Getting There

Nearest Airports

MSP Minneapolis-St Paul192 mi
MCI Kansas City272 mi
MKE Milwaukee418 mi

Distance to Cities

Boston, MA1271 mi · ~36h 43m drive
New York, NY1148 mi · ~33h 10m drive
Hartford, CT1198 mi · ~34h 37m drive
Providence, RI1260 mi · ~36h 24m drive
Albany, NY1132 mi · ~32h 42m drive
Syracuse, NY1008 mi · ~29h 7m drive
Rochester, NY934 mi · ~26h 59m drive
Buffalo, NY872 mi · ~25h 11m drive
Philadelphia, PA1105 mi · ~31h 55m drive
Pittsburgh, PA852 mi · ~24h 37m drive
Harrisburg, PA1011 mi · ~29h 12m drive
Newark, NJ1139 mi · ~32h 54m drive
Washington, DC1036 mi · ~29h 56m drive
Baltimore, MD1047 mi · ~30h 15m drive
Atlanta, GA905 mi · ~26h 9m drive
Charlotte, NC982 mi · ~28h 22m drive
Raleigh, NC1060 mi · ~30h 37m drive
Miami, FL1498 mi · ~43h 17m drive
Orlando, FL1298 mi · ~37h 30m drive
Tampa, FL1295 mi · ~37h 25m drive
Nashville, TN691 mi · ~19h 58m drive
New Orleans, LA968 mi · ~27h 58m drive
Richmond, VA1056 mi · ~30h 30m drive
Chicago, IL443 mi · ~12h 48m drive
Detroit, MI668 mi · ~19h 18m drive
Minneapolis, MN195 mi · ~5h 38m drive
St. Louis, MO438 mi · ~12h 39m drive
Kansas City, MO287 mi · ~8h 17m drive
Indianapolis, IN566 mi · ~16h 21m drive
Columbus, OH714 mi · ~20h 38m drive
Cleveland, OH747 mi · ~21h 35m drive
Milwaukee, WI417 mi · ~12h 3m drive
Dallas, TX713 mi · ~20h 36m drive
Houston, TX922 mi · ~26h 38m drive
Austin, TX890 mi · ~25h 43m drive
San Antonio, TX952 mi · ~27h 30m drive
Los Angeles, CA1340 mi · ~38h 43m drive
San Francisco, CA1422 mi · ~41h 5m drive
San Diego, CA1344 mi · ~38h 50m drive
Seattle, WA1302 mi · ~37h 37m drive
Portland, OR1316 mi · ~38h 1m drive
Denver, CO512 mi · ~14h 47m drive
Phoenix, AZ1087 mi · ~31h 24m drive
Salt Lake City, UT823 mi · ~23h 47m drive
Honolulu, HI3813 mi · ~110h 9m drive
Upper Midwest / Northeast (cold winters, warm summers)

Visit Planning

Deadline Calendar

Dordt University Application Checklist

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