Dordt University 
The information on this page was last updated 6/23/2023. If you see errors or omissions, please email: [email protected]
Summary
Established in 1955, Dordt is a comprehensive Reformed, Christian college in Sioux Center, Iowa.
Contact information
Mailing address:
Dordt University
700 7th St SE
Sioux Center, IA 51250
Website: dordt.edu
Phone: 1-800-343-6738
Email: [email protected]
Organization details
EIN: 420772559
CEO/President: Dr. Erik Hoekstra
Chairman: Deb Broek
Board size: 25
Founder: Dr. J.B. Hulst
Ruling year: 1958
Tax deductible: Yes
Fiscal year end: 06/30
Member of ECFA: No
Member of ECFA since:
Purpose
An education that is Christian not merely in the sense that devotional exercises are appended to the ordinary work of the college, but in the larger and deeper sense that all the class work, all of the students' intellectual, emotional, and imaginative activities shall be permeated with the spirit and teaching of Christianity.
Mission statement
As an institution of higher education committed to the Reformed Christian perspective, the mission of Dordt College is to equip students, alumni, and the broader community to work effectively toward Christ-centered renewal in all aspects of contemporary life.
Statement of faith
We believe that Scripture and creation reveal a sovereign God. Nothing exists without him; all things are under his control and find their goal and purpose in his glory. The creation is God's kingdom.
The Bible also tells us that God created us in his image. God covenantally binds us to him by his law and calls for our loving obedience.
Though called to develop and care for God's world, after Adam's fall into sin we began to treat it as an object of exploitation. Rather than serving the King, people abandoned themselves and the rest of creation to division and strife, misery, and death.
But God came with his word of grace, reclaiming his world through the death, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus Christ. Even though the effects of the fall will continue until he returns, Christ has rescued the creation from the curse of sin, and he reigns as king over all. He summons those he has redeemed to work to establish his kingdom everywhere.
Donor confidence score
Transparency grade
C
To understand our transparency grade, click here.
Financial efficiency ratings
Sector: Colleges/Universities
| Category | Rating | Overall rank | Sector rank |
| Overall efficiency rating | | 486 of 1115 | 66 of 130 |
| Fund acquisition rating | | 745 of 1116 | 102 of 130 |
| Resource allocation rating | | 210 of 1116 | 17 of 130 |
| Asset utilization rating | | 604 of 1115 | 83 of 130 |
Financial ratios
| Funding ratios | Sector median | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 |
Return on fundraising efforts Return on fundraising efforts = Fundraising expense / Total contributions | 13% | 16% | 14% | 10% | 20% | 26% |
Fundraising cost ratio Fundraising cost ratio = Fundraising expense / Total revenue | 2% | 3% | 4% | 3% | 4% | 5% |
Contributions reliance Contributions reliance = Total contributions / Total revenue | 18% | 22% | 29% | 29% | 22% | 18% |
Fundraising expense ratio Fundraising expense ratio = Fundraising expense / Total expenses | 2% | 4% | 5% | 4% | 5% | 5% |
Other revenue reliance Other revenue reliance = Total other revenue / Total revenue | 82% | 78% | 71% | 71% | 78% | 82% |
| Operating ratios | Sector median | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 |
Program expense ratio Program expense ratio = Program services / Total expenses | 84% | 90% | 88% | 89% | 88% | 88% |
Spending ratio Spending ratio = Total expenses / Total revenue | 98% | 92% | 80% | 78% | 90% | 91% |
Program output ratio Program output ratio = Program services / Total revenue | 81% | 83% | 71% | 69% | 79% | 81% |
Savings ratio Savings ratio = Surplus (deficit) / Total revenue | 2% | 8% | 20% | 22% | 10% | 9% |
Reserve accumulation rate Reserve accumulation rate = Surplus (deficit) / Net assets | 1% | 4% | 10% | 11% | 5% | 4% |
General and admin ratio General and admin ratio = Management and general expense / Total expenses | 13% | 6% | 7% | 7% | 7% | 7% |
| Investing ratios | Sector median | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 |
Total asset turnover Total asset turnover = Total expenses / Total assets | 0.51 | 0.40 | 0.38 | 0.35 | 0.39 | 0.39 |
Degree of long-term investment Degree of long-term investment = Total assets / Total current assets | 2.61 | 2.07 | 2.05 | 2.03 | 2.51 | 2.62 |
Current asset turnover Current asset turnover = Total expenses / Total current assets | 1.41 | 0.83 | 0.77 | 0.71 | 0.98 | 1.01 |
| Liquidity ratios | Sector median | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 |
Current ratio Current ratio = Total current assets / Total current liabilities | 7.92 | 13.44 | 16.99 | 19.99 | 17.71 | 12.41 |
Current liabilities ratio Current liabilities ratio = Total current liabilities / Total current assets | 0.13 | 0.07 | 0.06 | 0.05 | 0.06 | 0.08 |
Liquid reserve level Liquid reserve level = (Total current assets - Total current liabilities) / (Total expenses / 12) | 7.43 | 13.43 | 14.68 | 16.10 | 11.58 | 10.88 |
| Solvency ratios | Sector median | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 |
Liabilities ratio Liabilities ratio = Total liabilities / Total assets | 24% | 8% | 8% | 8% | 13% | 14% |
Debt ratio Debt ratio = Debt / Total assets | 11% | 3% | 4% | 4% | 8% | 6% |
Reserve coverage ratio Reserve coverage ratio = Net assets / Total expenses | 148% | 230% | 244% | 263% | 224% | 223% |
Financials
| Balance sheet | |||||
| Assets | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 |
| Cash | $19,703,922 | $21,025,596 | $14,692,147 | $7,058,006 | $136,319 |
| Receivables, inventories, prepaids | $14,721,286 | $16,408,962 | $13,108,803 | $7,946,400 | $7,431,976 |
| Short-term investments | $66,136,501 | $57,361,310 | $65,815,190 | $49,976,920 | $52,826,343 |
| Other current assets | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Total current assets | $100,561,709 | $94,795,868 | $93,616,140 | $64,981,326 | $60,394,638 |
| Long-term investments | $6,326,635 | $6,683,080 | $7,179,429 | $7,516,935 | $0 |
| Fixed assets | $99,321,297 | $91,298,953 | $87,772,702 | $89,439,863 | $89,720,777 |
| Other long-term assets | $1,526,119 | $1,552,896 | $1,397,054 | $1,401,455 | $8,030,192 |
| Total long-term assets | $107,174,051 | $99,534,929 | $96,349,185 | $98,358,253 | $97,750,969 |
| Total assets | $207,735,760 | $194,330,797 | $189,965,325 | $163,339,579 | $158,145,607 |
| Liabilities | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 |
| Payables and accrued expenses | $6,788,441 | $4,819,288 | $4,023,115 | $3,017,724 | $4,865,524 |
| Other current liabilities | $695,868 | $759,408 | $660,831 | $651,036 | $0 |
| Total current liabilities | $7,484,309 | $5,578,696 | $4,683,946 | $3,668,760 | $4,865,524 |
| Debt | $7,091,651 | $7,108,973 | $7,126,080 | $12,517,975 | $9,884,660 |
| Due to (from) affiliates | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Other long-term liabilities | $1,694,384 | $3,467,096 | $3,910,821 | $5,097,718 | $6,659,177 |
| Total long-term liabilities | $8,786,035 | $10,576,069 | $11,036,901 | $17,615,693 | $16,543,837 |
| Total liabilities | $16,270,344 | $16,154,765 | $15,720,847 | $21,284,453 | $21,409,361 |
| Net assets | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 |
| Without donor restrictions | $112,847,993 | $109,771,407 | $110,464,486 | $99,785,719 | $94,626,540 |
| With donor restrictions | $78,617,423 | $68,404,625 | $63,779,992 | $42,269,407 | $42,109,706 |
| Net assets | $191,465,416 | $178,176,032 | $174,244,478 | $142,055,126 | $136,736,246 |
| Revenues and expenses | |||||
| Revenue | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 |
| Total contributions | $19,573,946 | $26,215,430 | $24,944,977 | $15,655,855 | $12,010,200 |
| Program service revenue | $67,205,302 | $61,166,365 | $56,484,025 | $51,814,424 | $52,112,053 |
| Membership dues | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Investment income | $3,200,452 | $3,656,236 | $3,870,118 | $3,276,627 | $2,524,173 |
| Other revenue | $241,471 | $224,230 | $220,661 | $212,810 | $331,096 |
| Total other revenue | $70,647,225 | $65,046,831 | $60,574,804 | $55,303,861 | $54,967,322 |
| Total revenue | $90,221,171 | $91,262,261 | $85,519,781 | $70,959,716 | $66,977,522 |
| Expenses | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 |
| Program services | $74,736,400 | $64,530,853 | $59,117,579 | $55,767,941 | $53,970,172 |
| Management and general | $5,337,133 | $4,775,565 | $4,759,038 | $4,717,844 | $4,149,634 |
| Fundraising | $3,068,512 | $3,646,556 | $2,421,824 | $3,066,374 | $3,138,002 |
| Total expenses | $83,142,045 | $72,952,974 | $66,298,441 | $63,552,159 | $61,257,808 |
| Change in net assets | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 |
| Surplus (deficit) | $7,079,126 | $18,309,287 | $19,221,340 | $7,407,557 | $5,719,714 |
| Other changes in net assets | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Total change in net assets | $7,079,126 | $18,309,287 | $19,221,340 | $7,407,557 | $5,719,714 |
Compensation
| Name | Title | Compensation |
| Erik Hoekstra | President | $344,541 |
| John Baas | Director of Advancement | $183,740 |
| Leah Zuidema | VP For Academic Affairs | $182,711 |
| Tim van Soelen | Director of Educational Center | $164,317 |
| Stephanie Baccam | Treasurer/Exec Dir Fin and Ris | $160,244 |
| Howard Wilson | VP For University Operations | $151,236 |
| Brandon Huisman | VP of Enrollment & Marketing | $148,458 |
Compensation data as of: 6/30/2023
Response from ministry
No response has been provided by this ministry.
The information below was provided to MinistryWatch by the ministry itself. It was last updated 6/23/2023. To update the information below, please email: [email protected]
History
Dordt University began in 1953 as Midwest Christian Junior College. At the time, there was a dearth of qualified Christian school teachers in the area, and the new college sought to fill that void. The college's doors opened in 1955, with 35 enrolled students and five faculty members. The campus was comprised of a new four-classroom building; the property was set on a former mink farm and surrounded by fields of crops.
Once the institution became a four-year college, its name was changed to Dordt College in honor of the Synod of Dordt held in Dordrecht, the Netherlands, in 1618-19, a synod which emphasized the sovereignty of God through his electing grace.
Dordt's first four-year B.A. degrees were awarded to a graduating class of 58 in 1965. The college grew rapidly in the 1960s and 1970s, with enrollment climbing above 1,200. Many faculty members, intending to teach here only a few years, became committed to the college mission and remained for their entire careers.
Although it began as a college for training up Christian school teachers, Dordt has expanded its academic offerings to include programs in agriculture, nursing, engineering, business, social work, criminal justice, construction management, international business, and more.
The four presidents of Dordt have provided leadership and commitment to a distinct vision for Christian higher education. Rev. B.J. Haan, who served as first president of the college until his retirement in 1982, worked tirelessly to lay the foundation that is today more clearly articulated in The Educational Task. Dr. J.B. Hulst, a founder and early dean of students, supervised the development of a strategic plan for the future of the college. Dr. Carl E. Zylstra, Dordt's third president, urged faculty and students to make the continuing educational vision concrete in their teaching, learning, and living. Dr. Erik Hoekstra, who began his presidency in 2012, has championed Dordt's mission statement and continues to adhere to Dordt's distinct vision.
Over the years, Dordt continued to add and deepen academic and co-curricular programs that, as Dordt's mission says, "equip students, alumni, and the broader community to work effectively toward Christ-centered renewal in all aspects of contemporary life." In doing so, Dordt began to look and act more like a university than a college; the institution prioritized robust scholarship, excellence in teaching, and increased opportunities for students and faculty to collaborate. In addition to a diverse array of traditional undergraduate programs, Dordt's academic offerings began to include online studies, graduate programs, and professional-technical associate degrees. Students came from more than 26 countries to study at Dordt, and alumni lived all over the world. In May 2018, the Board of Trustees and Dr. Erik Hoekstra announced that Dordt would become known as Dordt University. The transition to Dordt University officially took place on May 13, 2019.