Dordt University — ROI, Cost & Payback
Dordt University charges a net price of $25,807/yr after aid — a 4-year total of $103,228. Graduates earn a median $52,559 ten years after entry, $4,199/yr above the $48,360 high-school baseline, clearing the total in 24.6 years — a 20-year net return of -$19,248, a weak return — the cost is hard to justify on earnings alone. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
Dordt University's 24.6-year payback ranks #1,106 of 1,280 US colleges we track — better ROI than 14% of them, and #22 of 47 in Iowa.
| Measure | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Net price (after aid) | $25,807/yr | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Total net cost (4 yrs) | $103,228 | our math |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs after entry | $52,559 | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Earnings premium over HS baseline | $4,199/yr | our math |
| Median debt (completers) | $21,500 | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Payback | 24.6 yrs | our math |
| 20-year net return | -$19,248 | our math |
College Scorecard (2026 release), institution-level · payback and returns are our math.
The arithmetic, on Dordt University's own numbers. Net price $25,807 × 4 years = $103,228 total. Median earnings $52,559 − the $48,360 high-school baseline = $4,199 a year of premium. $103,228 ÷ $4,199 = 24.6 years to break even; twenty years of that premium minus the cost leaves -$19,248. Future dollars are not discounted, and the earnings figure blends every major here — your programme can beat or miss it. Full method.
How much debt do Dordt University students graduate with?
A median $21,500 in federal loans among completers, or 41% of the $52,559 its graduates earn ten years out — our math. The figure excludes private loans and students who left before finishing.
What share of Dordt University students graduate?
70% finish their degree. Spread the $103,228 bill across that completion rate and the cohort pays $147,469 per graduate produced — our math, and the figure a payback number never shows.
Is Dordt University expensive compared with other Iowa colleges?
Its $25,807 net price runs $7,218 above the $18,589 median across the 47 Iowa colleges we profile, or $28,872 more across the full degree.