--- title: Dordt University named one of the best private colleges in Siouxland tri-state region date: 2024-04-12T08:23:00-05:00 author: Sarah Moss canonical_url: "https://www.dordt.edu/news/dordt-university-named-one-of-the-best-private-colleges-in-siouxland-tri-state-region" section: News --- [ View Dordt News](https://www.dordt.edu/news) [Academics](https://www.dordt.edu/news?category=academics) Apr 12, 2024 # Dordt University named one of the best private colleges in Siouxland tri-state region Dordt University was recognized among Iowa’s top private colleges by Stacker, based on 2024 data from Niche, earning an A- alongside three other institutions in Nebraska, Iowa, and South Dakota. ![](https://d3evso2dxyohou.cloudfront.net/generalUploads/2023-24/2024-02-15_001562.jpg?mode=crop&pos=0.2143-0.3241&w=66&h=57&f=webp&c=dc5fdab9&v=00237e92c6c0528e09ee439b5e1013fe934559d4b310709dc855a137adfa9e0a) ![]()Dordt University was recognized as one of Iowa’s top-ranked private colleges by [Stacker](https://www.siouxlandproud.com/news/local-news/best-private-colleges-in-the-siouxland-tri-states/). The news group looked at 2024 data from [Niche](https://www.niche.com/), which ranks schools based on a variety of factors including academics, value for money, professors, campus, and diversity. Niche also assigned letter grades to each of the 21 private colleges and universities in Iowa, Nebraska, and South Dakota that were included on the list. Of the 21 colleges and universities, five private colleges and universities received a letter grade of A- or higher. Dordt earned an A-, as did [Augustana University](https://www.augie.edu/) of Sioux Falls, South Dakota; [Creighton University](https://www.creighton.edu/) of Omaha, Nebraska; and [College of Saint Mary,](https://www.csm.edu/) of Omaha, Nebraska. Only one private college—[Grinnell College ](https://www.grinnell.edu/)of Grinnell, Iowa—outranked Dordt by receiving a letter grade of A. ![](https://d3evso2dxyohou.cloudfront.net/generalUploads/2023-24/DSC_5225.jpg?mode=fit&pos=center-center&w=57&h=65&c=daaf151e&v=0d12ac1c5e2624444f1ff26414badb440bf4df6b83d77bc1ed2bd5e69169198d) “Private and public schools play important roles in the postsecondary landscape, offering top-tier education and valuable opportunities outside the classroom,” says a Stacker report. “But some characteristics of private institutions—namely size, reputation, and flexibility—make them more appealing to prospective students.” Some of the unique characteristics of private colleges include that they “generally offer smaller classes and, by extension, more direct instruction and support.” This is true of Dordt University, which has repeatedly been named a top 10 school on the U.S. News and World Report Best Colleges’ “Best Undergraduate Teaching among Regional Universities (Midwest)” list, highlighting how Dordt faculty and administrators are committed to teaching undergraduates in a high-quality manner. And graduates from “from more selective colleges with name recognition generally tend to have higher earning,” adds the Stacker report. [Dordt’s 2023 graduates saw an increase in starting salaries](https://www.dordt.edu/news/dordt-university-class-of-2023-achieves-remarkable-career-success) compared to the starting salaries of 2022 graduates: the average salary for the class of 2023 stands at $49,126, a $1,207 from the previous year. For more on the best private colleges in the Siouxland tri-states, see [this article from KELO](https://www.keloland.com/news/national-world-news/best-private-colleges-in-the-siouxland-tri-states/). **About Dordt University** As an institution of higher education committed to the Reformed Christian perspective, Dordt University equips students, faculty, alumni, and the broader community to work toward Christ-centered renewal in all aspects of contemporary life. Located in Sioux Center, Iowa, Dordt is a comprehensive university named to the best college lists by U.S. News and World Report, the Wall Street Journal, Times Higher Education, Forbes.com, Washington Monthly, and Princeton Review. --- [Previous Article ![](https://d3evso2dxyohou.cloudfront.net/generalUploads/2023-24/DSC02283B.jpg?mode=crop&pos=center-center&w=56&h=33&f=webp&c=9f285df3&v=7357993f87caf77cf487c92bbbb82f581b56aa2ade219d62b98c18de77db37c4) Academics Apr 12, 2024 ## Dordt students given awards for Student Employee of the Year festivities During National Student Employment Appreciation Week, Dordt University recognized two outstanding student workers for their exceptional dedication and performance on campus. Caroline Brown and Jessica Walczak were awarded the title of Student Employees of the Year for their exemplary work ethic and positive contributions to their respective departments, receiving a $500 payroll bonus along with the prestigious honor. Read More ](https://www.dordt.edu/news/dordt-students-given-awards-for-student-employee-of-the-year-festivities) [Next Article ![](https://d3evso2dxyohou.cloudfront.net/generalUploads/2023-24/2024-02-20_001928-1.jpg?mode=crop&pos=center-center&w=56&h=33&f=webp&c=9c0d322c&v=f1e4dd37e0dc5c0c85750264c5ce4e137241bca9a7349088de100e511ab3ee87) Academics Notable Apr 11, 2024 ## Dordt mathematics major receives prestigious NSF Fellowship Anika Homan has received the National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship, providing a five-year financial support package including a $37,000 annual stipend. Homan's fellowship, which is awarded to only 2,000 out of 12,000 applicants annually, will support her pursuit of a Ph.D. in mathematical logic. Read More ](https://www.dordt.edu/news/dordt-mathematics-major-receives-prestigious-nsf-fellowship) [ ![]() ## View All Dordt News View News ](https://www.dordt.edu/news) Aug 19 General #### [International Student Orientation ](https://www.dordt.edu/events/international-student-orientation-2026-08-19) Aug 20 General #### [International Student Orientation ](https://www.dordt.edu/events/international-student-orientation-2026-08-20) Aug 20 Athletics Men's Soccer #### [8/20 8:00 PM Dordt University Men's Soccer at Carroll - Nelson Stadium ](https://www.dordt.edu/events/8-22-100-pm-dordt-university-mens-soccer-at-carroll) ![A picture of campus behind yellow prairie flowers](https://d3evso2dxyohou.cloudfront.net/generalUploads/2021-22/Buildings-and-Campus/2021-09-23_001574-1.jpg?mode=crop&pos=center-center&w=50&h=50&f=webp&c=3d670641&v=d2bdb7cbdc83e5be46d3a10afe8a1214a0e770536697eb0ddbe29e017d2e9577) <![CDATA[YII-BLOCK-BODY-END]]>