[6] In 1954, a group of men from local Christian Reformed Churches in Iowa, South Dakota and Minnesota agreed to establish the college in Sioux Center.

[9] This name was chosen to honor a historic 17th century Reformed church meeting called the Synod of Dordt that took place in the Netherlands in 1618–1619.

"[9][10]Dordt College, as no other name, will express the distinctiveness of our school and the purpose for which it was established, The Spirit of Dordt, its strivings to seek the glory of God in all its thinking...its efforts to be faithful to the Word of God in every detail, summarizes all the things our school should strive for..."[9]The first graduating class consisted of 18 students in 1957.

[19] Dordt offers more than 25 off-campus study opportunities in countries around the world through its affiliation with the Council for Christian Colleges and Universities.

These countries include Australia, China, France, Ghana, Honduras, Hungary, Mexico, the Netherlands, Spain, Uganda, and the United Kingdom.

[21] Ninety-eight percent of students receive financial aid in the form of scholarships, grants, loans, and work-study opportunities.

The university awards scholarships based on academic potential and performance (e.g., the Kuyper Honors program[22]), activities (e.g., sports, theater, music), and demonstrated financial need.

The entry level consists of a campus store, an art gallery, meditation rooms, and a student lounge.

The basement features a recording studio and a game room complete with a four-lane regulation-size bowling alley, as well as foosball and pool tables.

The library has a significant collection of curriculum and children's literature materials housed in the Learning Resource Center.

The B. J. Haan Auditorium seats approximately 1,500 people and is used for chapel services, concerts, organ recitals, and other regional events.

[29] The auditorium was the site of a campaign rally by candidate Donald J. Trump on January 23, 2016,[30] during the race for the 2016 Iowa Republican presidential caucuses.

In 2014, the Defenders set a record for points scored by both teams in the NAIA National Basketball Tournament.