At $25,383/yr net price, Dordt University graduates earn $52,559/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $18,559/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $25,383 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $101,532 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $52,559/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$18,559/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 5.5 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 65.3% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $21,500 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $20,966/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $20,971/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $23,110/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $26,192/yr |
| $110,001+ | $31,607/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Civil Engineering. | Bachelor | $58,673 | |
| Mechanical Engineering. | Bachelor | $57,770 | |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Bachelor | $56,776 | $24,500 |
| Agricultural Business and Management. | Bachelor | $48,823 | $19,000 |
| Animal Sciences. | Bachelor | $39,369 | |
| Business/Commerce, General. | Bachelor | $37,208 | |
| Health and Physical Education/Fitness. | Bachelor | $36,848 | |
| Marketing. | Bachelor | $35,954 | |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods. | Bachelor | $34,746 | $21,500 |
| Social Work. | Bachelor | $28,381 |
The Risk Factor
65.3% of students at Dordt University graduate within 6 years. A significant share of students finish, but roughly 35% do not complete their degree.
Analysis
Dordt University runs a moderate net price near $25,000 a year against median earnings of about $52,000 a decade out, which puts it in mixed territory. Median debt of $21,500 stays below what many grads earn in a single year, so the debt load itself is manageable. The 85% retention and 65% graduation rates matter here: leaving without the degree strips out the earnings that justify the price, and a third of students don't finish in the standard window.
The engineering programs are where the money is. Civil and mechanical engineering both clear $57,000, and nursing lands close behind at nearly $57,000 with debt around $24,500 that its salary supports. Agricultural business fits Dordt's rural Iowa setting and pays close to $49,000 on low debt of $19,000, making it one of the safer bets on cost alone. Animal sciences is the weak spot at roughly $39,000 a decade out, a gap of nearly $20,000 below engineering, which makes the same net price a much harder trade.
The financial risk here is program choice, not the sticker price. Pick engineering or nursing and the numbers work. pick a lower-paying major and you pay the same tuition for a return that lags. Not finishing is the other real risk given the graduation rate.
Your family income changes the deal sharply. Under $48,000, you pay around $21,000 a year. over $110,000, that climbs past $31,000. The middle tiers see the price rise steadily as income does, so the value calculation tightens for families earning $75,000 and up. This school fits you well if you're headed into its engineering, nursing, or ag business tracks. If you're drawn to lower-earning majors and paying near full price, run the math carefully first.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Dordt University worth the cost compared to other colleges?
Dordt University graduates earn $52,559 ten years after enrollment, which is below the national average for college graduates. With a net price of $25,383 per year and moderate debt levels around $21,500, the financial return is mixed depending on your major.
Which Dordt University programs offer the best return on investment?
Engineering programs at Dordt University provide the strongest ROI, with civil engineering graduates earning $58,673 and mechanical engineering graduates making $57,770. Nursing also performs well at $56,776, while programs like animal sciences lag significantly at $39,369.
How much debt do Dordt University students typically graduate with?
Dordt University students graduate with a median debt of $21,500, which is below the national average. However, with a 65% graduation rate, about one-third of students leave without completing their degree, often still carrying debt.
Does Dordt University provide good financial aid to make it affordable?
Dordt University's net price of $25,383 per year reflects some financial aid, but the school still costs more than many in-state public options. The aid helps but doesn't make the ROI compelling for most programs outside of engineering and nursing.