Oct 22, 2021

Dordt University Has Its Largest Enrollment Ever

A picture of two students taking notes in a lab

Dordt University’s overall enrollment is 1,786 for the fall 2021 semester—the largest enrollment in the institution’s history, breaking the fall 2020 semester record of 1,666 students. This figure includes a record 1,401 full-time undergraduate students. In addition, Dordt has record full-time equivalent (FTE) enrollment at 1,544; FTE is a measure of how many credits students are taking.

There are 424 freshmen on campus this fall, which is the second largest freshmen class in Dordt’s history. The largest freshmen class was in 1998, which included 439 students.

Greg Van Dyke, director of admissions, is grateful for another year of record enrollment.

“There has been a lot of uncertainty over the past 18 months, and it is encouraging to see a record number of students choose Dordt because they trust the mission and experience that Dordt provides as a Christ-centered institution,” says Van Dyke.

There are many reasons why Dordt has seen record enrollment this year, says Registrar Jim Bos, including the quality education that Dordt faculty offer.

“There’s no doubt that students are interested in specific programs that we excel at: engineering, nursing, agriculture, education, business, accounting, and others,” says Bos. “We have faculty who are passionate and knowledgeable in their field. We have alumni who are achieving great things in their field as well. That, I think, speaks to what Dordt is doing from an academic standpoint.

In addition, the class of 2021 was Dordt’s highest bachelor’s degree graduation rate of 74.6 percent—a percentage that Bos says is excellent.

Dordt also has record enrollment this fall for graduate programs, with 238 students currently enrolled in the Master of Social Work, Master of Public Administration, and Master of Education programs.

“Dordt integrates a thoroughly Christian approach with high quality, convenient, engaging, and relevant content,” says Dr. Steve Holtrop, director of graduate studies, as he reflects on the continued success of Dordt’s graduate programs. “Our personal approach, reasonable costs, and solid reputation seem to offer a combination that online and graduate students are looking for.”

Brandon Huisman, vice president for enrollment and marketing, sees Dordt’s record enrollment for the fall 2021 semester as a blessing and evidence of God’s continued faithfulness to Dordt.

“Dordt is committed to serving and sending the next generation for Christ,” he says. “To me, our record enrollment shows that these students desire to be effective kingdom citizens and are confident Dordt can help them in this pursuit.”

Sarah Moss ('10)


A picture of campus behind yellow prairie flowers