About Dordt

Associated with the Christian Reformed Church, Dordt College was founded in 1955 in Sioux Center, Iowa and welcomes all students who are interested in a biblical, Christ-centered education. Today, as an accredited Christian liberal arts university, we're on a mission to cultivate the next generation of servant-leaders, who will saturate their relationships and communities with the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

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Grounded In Grace

Dordt takes its name from the historic Synod of Dordrecht, held in the Netherlands in 1618-1619. The Canons of Dort, one of the three major confessional statements of Reformed churches, came from that synod. The Canons of Dort were a response to statements made by the followers of Jacob Arminius, and emphasized the sovereignty of God through his electing grace.

Our Mission
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Dordt University is ranked number eight on the “Regional Universities (Midwest)” ranking released by the 2023-24 U.S. News & World Report Best Colleges and is the top-ranked school in Iowa in the category.

Dordt ranked No. 14 – "Best Value Schools (Regional Universities—Midwest)," which includes institutions that provide the best value for students based on academic quality and college costs.

Tied for tenth for “Best Undergraduate Teaching among Regional Universities (Midwest),” Dordt is known for being an institution where “faculty and administrators are committed to teaching undergraduate students in a high-quality manner,” says the U.S. News & World Report methodology.

Dordt ranked No. 20 – “Social Mobility among Regional Universities (Midwest),” which highlights “colleges [that] are more successful than others at advancing social mobility by enrolling and graduating large proportions of disadvantaged students”

Academic Excellence

Dordt's curriculum is designed to provide each student with a comprehensive, biblical education from a historic Reformed, Christian perspective. We offer more than 40 majors and 12 pre-professional programs of study.

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Accreditation

Dordt University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) as a four-year, bachelor degree granting institution. Our accreditation dates from 1969, with the most recent renewal in 2012, and the next renewal visit scheduled for 2022-23. In 1994, Dordt gained approval from the HLC to offer its first graduate program, leading to the Master of Education degree. Dordt now offers additional master's degrees in Special Education, Public Administration, and Social Work, and holds specialized accreditation in nursing, education, social work, and engineering.

Admission

Dordt uses a combination of high school GPA and ACT, SAT, or CLT scores to determine admission. Dordt also has a Test Optional policy. For more information, please review the Admissions Requirements section of the catalog. Recommended high school preparation includes: English/Language Arts (4 years), foreign language (2 years), natural science (3 years), social science (2 years), and mathematics (3 years – including algebra and geometry)

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Association

Dordt University is part of the Council for Christian Colleges and Universities, whose purpose is to advance faith and intellect for the common good.

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Student Life

Dordt students enjoy a robust social life in and out of the classroom. Approximately 88% of Dordt students live in campus housing and participate in dozens of clubs and activities—from choir and band to student government, drama, and beyond.

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Athletics

A member of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) and the Great Plains Athletic Conference (GPAC), Dordt fields intercollegiate teams in men's baseball, basketball, cross country, football, golf, soccer, indoor and outdoor track; and in women's basketball, cross country, soccer, golf, softball, indoor track, and volleyball. Cheer is now offered as a co-ed sport.

Club sport offerings include men's ice hockey and trapshooting. Junior varsity schedules are played in volleyball, football, women's and men's basketball, baseball, and softball. A variety of intramural sports are offered as well.

About Athletics

Dordt Stories

Learn how Dordt has impacted the lives of thousands of students and alumni. We praise God for working through our university to bring about his redemptive purposes in the world.

Man standing in field of grain holds onto bunch of it

Bringing "What's Out There" Home

Lee De Haan

Dr. Lee De Haan and Kernza work wonders

Lee De Haan

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A Step of Faith to Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Lab

Ken Verbrugge

A Step of Faith to Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Lab

Ken Verbrugge

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Focusing on the "Soul of the Church"

Chuck De Groat

Chuck goes from aeronautical studies to theological studies

Chuck De Groat

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A picture of Sara De Waal

Looking the World Back to Grace

Sara de Waal

Sara overcomes challenging task to finish her degree

Sara de Waal

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Three young men in rugby shirts lean over counter on stage

Dominerds Become Domino Masters

Alex and Derek Koops

The Koops twins make an appearance in Fox's first Domino Masters Challenge.

Alex and Derek Koops

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A smiling women holding up an "I heart beef" bumper sticker.

Opening Doors

Georgia Lucas

The nerves that Georgia felt from attending a school halfway across the country were immediately erased when she found that Dordt was a second home to her.

Georgia Lucas

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Bible Studies and Growth

Ivan Hoogland

Ivan's opportunities, experiences, and development at Dordt has allowed him to grow in his faith and become connected outside of the classroom.

Ivan Hoogland

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A picture of Anna Christians

Nurturing the Heart

Anna Christians

Dordt gave Anna the confidence and humility that she needed to grow as an individual and realize that who you become is so much more important than what you do with your life.

Anna Christians

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Reaching Her Greatest Potential

Abby Vander Werf

With both of her parents being Dordt alumni, Abby knew she was walking into an amazing organization that would provide her with an abundant of opportunities, and that it did.

Abby Vander Werf

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A picture of Steven DeLawyer

Connected by Jesus

Steven Delawyer

Steven's education from Dordt not only prepared him with the knowledge he needed for any engineering position but also shaped him into a conscientious steward.

Steven Delawyer

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It's even better in person.