Dordt University
Dordt University — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Dordt University at a Glance
Dordt University is a private evangelical Christian university in Sioux Center, Iowa. It was founded in 1955 and is affiliated with the Christian Reformed Church in North America. The university name is a reference to the Synod of Dordt (Dordrecht).
1955
71 years old
$84M
US $ 83.8 million (2025)
2,077
80
115 acres
Identity
Is Dordt University Worth It?
At a value score of 34/100, Dordt University is a below-average value relative to its cost. Graduates earn $52,559 — 2% below average — while paying $25,807/year. Consider alternatives with better earnings-to-cost ratios.
The investment pays for itself in just 2 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
The 68% graduation rate means roughly 32% of students leave without a degree — taking on debt without the earnings boost that completion brings.
Bottom line: consider whether the specific program you're interested in at Dordt University has outcomes that justify the cost — the institution-wide numbers suggest caution.
How Dordt University compares to peer private nonprofit colleges of similar tier in IA
Ranked #68 of 144 on value score. Peers are matched by size, median earnings, SAT, and admission rate — not just geography.
| Rank | College | Value | Net price / yr | Median earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | University of St Francis | 81 | $13,006 | $63,926 |
| #2 | Kalamazoo College | 68 | $19,072 | $65,590 |
| #3 | Carroll University | 67 | $15,193 | $58,009 |
| #4 | Canisius University | 58 | $17,940 | $60,681 |
| #5 | University of Mary | 58 | $17,770 | $60,909 |
| #6 | Fresno Pacific University | 57 | $13,630 | $58,896 |
| #68 | Dordt University | 34 | $25,807 | $52,559 |
Peer group: private nonprofit colleges within ±60% of Dordt University's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 4 in IA.
Best Programs at Dordt University
The highest-earning program at Dordt University is Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at $55,600/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods at $33,600/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing graduate from Dordt University earns $55,600, while a Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods graduate earns $33,600. Choose your program carefully — it's the single biggest lever you control.
Debt also varies by program: Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing graduates carry $21,500 in median debt vs. $19,711 for Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $25,807/yr net price × 4 years
Earnings Premium
vs. national average of $53,787/yr
Payback Period
Time to recoup the total cost through higher earnings
10-Year Net Gain
Median earnings over 10 years minus total cost of attendance
Programs & Earnings by Major
Graduate earnings data by field of study (4 years after graduation):
| Major | Earnings (4yr) | Earnings (1yr) | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $55,600 | $55,600 | $21,500 |
| Mechanical Engineering | $55,500 | $55,500 | $19,500 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $33,600 | $33,600 | $19,711 |
Similar Colleges in IA
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- private
- Location
- Sioux Center, IA
- Student Body
- 1,597 students
- Admission Rate
- 68%
- Graduation Rate
- 68%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $25,807
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $52,559
- Median Student Debt
- $21,500