Dordt University has largest enrollment ever

Dordt University’s overall enrollment for the fall 2022 semester is 1,858—the largest enrollment in Dordt’s history, exceeding the fall 2021 record of 1,786 students.

This includes a record total degree-seeking undergraduate enrollment of 1,460.

“We are thrilled with God’s faithfulness to Dordt University as he brings the next generation of Christian leaders to this campus,” says Greg Van Dyke, director of admissions at Dordt.

Dordt’s largest majors—education, engineering, nursing, agriculture, and business—continue to be popular choices with students.

Dordt has also seen an increase in full-time graduate students. This is primarily within the Master of Social Work program, where students are more likely to want to pursue graduate work full-time to complete their degrees sooner, explains Jim Bos, registrar and director of institutional research at Dordt.

To know that overall enrollment has grown steadily for the past 15 years is encouraging, but it’s not just the figures that matter, says Dordt University President Dr. Erik Hoekstra.

“We now serve 1,858 unique students, which is up from 1,254 in 2005. Each student is an individual, striving to understand God’s world and how to serve in Christ’s coming kingdom. Our enrollment growth also signals that something is happening on Dordt’s campus that people want to be part of.”

One of Dordt’s strategic initiatives is to promote joy-filled work. Hoekstra noted that “when each role or office on this campus works together under God’s authority and direction, it really starts building a joyful momentum that is contagious. I’m inspired every day to have the privilege to serve here. I am thankful for every person who has played a role in making our record enrollment happen, and I want us all to give God the glory for what he’s allowing us to participate in here.”

Bos says that Dordt has seen considerable growth when it comes to overall full-time equivalent students. He attributes Dordt’s record enrollment in part to consistent retention across the student body.

“What we’ve seen is that more rising juniors and rising seniors have chosen to stay at Dordt, including students pursuing associate’s degrees who decide to continue on to complete their bachelor’s degrees,” he says.

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 the U.S. News & World Report, the Wall Street Journal, Times Higher Education, Forbes.com, Washington Monthly, and Princeton Review.