Moderately selectiveReviewed for the 2025-2026 cycle

Dordt University acceptance rate and admissions profile

Dordt University, a private college in Iowa, reports a 68% acceptance rate and sits in the moderately selective band. In practice that means it admits more applicants than it rejects, so a strong application is judged against an applicant pool that is already self-selected.

Use this page to see what Dordt University weighs, where it ranks among Iowa schools, and how a profile like yours is likely to land. Admitted students post a 75th-percentile SAT around 1260, a useful checkpoint for where your scores sit, though it is a reference range and not a cutoff.

Acceptance rate
68%
Moderately selective
Admitted SAT (75th pct)
1260
of admitted students
Type
Private
Iowa
Selectivity in state
#6
of 21 in IA
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Will I get into Dordt University?

Direct answers to what applicants ask about getting into Dordt University, plus a free way to calculate your own odds.

What are my chances of getting into Dordt University?

Your odds at Dordt University are not the same as its 68% acceptance rate. Your real odds depend on how your GPA, course rigor, test scores, and activities compare to its admitted students. Run your profile through the free CollegeCalcAI calculator to get a personalized acceptance percentage for Dordt University in about three minutes, with no account needed to start.

Is Dordt University hard to get into?

Dordt University is moderately selective: it admits more applicants than it rejects, with about a 68% acceptance rate. Meeting the academic basics gives most qualified applicants a realistic shot.

What GPA do you need to get into Dordt University?

There is no hard GPA cutoff at Dordt University, but admitted students often present roughly a 3.2 to 3.7 GPA. Dordt University reads your GPA alongside the rigor of your courses, so a challenging schedule matters as much as the number itself.

What SAT score do you need for Dordt University?

Dordt University does not publish a required score, but the admitted-student 75th-percentile SAT is around 1260. A score at or above that range strengthens your application, while a lower score puts more weight on your rigor, activities, and essays. CollegeCalcAI shows how your exact score shifts your odds at Dordt University.

Calculate your chances at Dordt University

What Dordt University looks for

What Dordt University weighs most heavily in its admissions review, informed by its reported Common Data Set.

The factors that carry the most weight at Dordt University are rigor of secondary school record, academic GPA, and standardized test scores. Solid grades in a challenging schedule do most of the work here, with the rest of the application providing context. These ratings come from Dordt University's reported Common Data Set, so the full chart below reflects what the school itself says it values, not a generic guess.

Rigor of secondary school record
Very important
Academic GPA
Very important
Standardized test scores
Important
Application essay
Considered
Recommendations
Considered
Extracurricular activities
Considered
Talent / ability
Considered
Character / personal qualities
Considered
Volunteer work
Considered
Level of applicant interest
Considered

SAT score positioning at Dordt University

How common SAT scores sit relative to the admitted middle. This is context, not a probability — your full profile determines the real estimate.

SATWhere it sits at Dordt University
1600Above the admitted 75th percentile
1500Above the admitted 75th percentile
1400Above the admitted 75th percentile
1300Above the admitted 75th percentile
1200Below the middle, makes the rest of the profile matter more
1100Well below the admitted range
Colleges for a 1250 SAT →Colleges for a 26 ACT →See colleges by GPA →

How Dordt University compares in Iowa

Dordt University ranks #6 most selective of 21 schools in Iowa in our database.

Among the 21 Iowa schools we track, Dordt University ranks #6 most selective by acceptance rate. Schools like Grinnell College (15%) and William Penn University (52%) sit nearby, which makes Iowa a useful frame for calibrating a balanced list.

Grinnell College
15%acceptance · IA
William Penn University
52%acceptance · IA
Drake University
64%acceptance · IA
Coe College
64%acceptance · IA
Briar Cliff University
65%acceptance · IA
Morningside University
71%acceptance · IA
Luther College
72%acceptance · IA
Clarke University
72%acceptance · IA
See all Iowa schools →

Similar to Dordt University

Schools with a similar selectivity profile, worth comparing as you build a balanced list.

Applicants targeting Dordt University often weigh Brigham Young University, Hofstra University, and Lipscomb University, which sit at a similar level. Running the same profile against each one in the free calculator is the fastest way to see where you are a reach, a match, or a likely.

Brigham Young University
68%acceptance · UT
Hofstra University
68%acceptance · NY
Lipscomb University
68%acceptance · TN
Presbyterian College
68%acceptance · SC
Augustana University
68%acceptance · SD
Colorado Christian University
68%acceptance · CO

Frequently asked questions

What does Dordt University value most in applicants?

Based on its admissions profile, Dordt University weighs rigor of secondary school record, academic GPA, and standardized test scores most heavily. The full factor breakdown is on this page.

Does Dordt University consider legacy or demonstrated interest?

Many private colleges weigh legacy relationships and demonstrated interest. Dordt University's full factor profile is charted on this page, and CollegeCalcAI models a legacy effect scaled to a school's selectivity.

How can I improve my chances at Dordt University?

Focus on the highest-leverage parts of your application: course rigor and GPA trajectory first, then test scores, then a focused leadership or activity spike. CollegeCalcAI's Power-Ups quantify how much each change would move your odds at Dordt University specifically.

What are the admission requirements for Dordt University?

Dordt University reviews GPA, course rigor, test scores (where submitted), activities, and essays. With a more accessible acceptance rate, meeting the academic basics gives most qualified applicants a realistic shot.

Acceptance rate and admitted test ranges reflect publicly reported data (U.S. Department of Education / NCES IPEDS / Common Data Sets). Estimates from CollegeCalcAI are a planning tool computed by a fixed, transparent model, not a guarantee of any admission decision.