Dordt College was organized in 1953 as Midwest Christian Junior College, in large part because of a critical shortage of qualified teachers for Christian schools in the area. Instruction began in 1955 with 35 students and five faculty members. One year later the name was changed to Dordt College in honor of the historic Synod of Dordrecht held in the Netherlands in 1618-1619. In 1965, the first class of students graduated with a B.A.

The college grew rapidly in the '60s and '70s, climbing steadily to an enrollment of more than 1,200 in 1978. Today Dordt College enrolls approximately 1,300 students and occupies a well-equipped, 115-acre campus.

Dordt College also has expanded its offerings over the years. In 1969, the first courses in business administration were offered, marking a move toward combining a "liberal arts" education with "practical" instruction. Agriculture, engineering, and social work soon followed. In 1993, Dordt College added a master of education degree to its associate's and bachelor's degree offerings. The current curriculum includes approximately 50 programs of study, taught by 78 full-time and numerous part-time faculty members.