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Divine Word College

#1739 in US ranking Epworth, IA
Type:
Private not-for-profit
Programs:
4 years or more

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Cost

Tuition & fees
$16,200
Avg. aid
$25,718
Receiving aid
100%

Outcomes

Graduation rate
100%

What is the accreditation of Divine Word College?

Divine Word College is institutionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, or HLC. Institutional accreditation evaluates a college as a whole; it is distinct from any accreditation that might apply to an individual professional program.

Accreditation is relevant to federal student-aid eligibility and can matter when students apply to graduate schools or seek to transfer credit. It does not require another college to accept a particular course, and it does not establish eligibility for professional licensure. Students making a decision that depends on accreditation should check the college's current listing in HLC's institutional directory and any requirements set by their intended graduate program or licensing authority.

What are the admission requirements at Divine Word College?

Divine Word College reports an open-admission policy for undergraduate study. Degree-seeking applicants should be prepared to document high school completion through a diploma or an equivalent credential, such as a GED, and to submit the college's application materials.

Open admission should not be read as automatic entry into every course of study or stage of religious formation. Applicants should establish which requirements apply to their intended program and whether they must provide prior-school transcripts, evidence of English proficiency or other materials. They should also confirm the current application timetable directly with admissions rather than relying on an older admissions-rate figure: at a college this small, a handful of applications can cause large year-to-year changes in that rate.

Divine Word College accepts Advanced Placement credit and credit for some life experiences, but those are credit-evaluation policies, not substitutes for completing the admission process. Applicants hoping to use either option should request a written evaluation of how the credit would apply to their degree.

What are the application fees and waivers at Divine Word College?

Divine Word College's reported undergraduate application fee is $25. Applicants should verify the amount on the current application before paying, particularly if they are applying as transfers or international students.

An application fee is separate from tuition and any payment requested after admission. Applicants who need a fee waiver should ask the admissions office whether one is available, what documentation is required and whether approval must come before they submit the application.

What types of ROTC programs are available at Divine Word College?

Divine Word College is not identified as operating an on-campus Army, Air Force or Navy ROTC unit. Applicants should not assume that attendance at the college provides an ROTC enrollment route.

A student interested in officer training would need to confirm with both Divine Word College and a potential ROTC host institution whether cross-enrollment is permitted, whether travel is practical and how any ROTC courses would count toward the degree. ROTC scholarships and eventual service obligations are governed by the relevant military program, not simply by admission to the college.

What are the requirements for transfer students at Divine Word College?

Divine Word College accepts transfer students for fall and spring entry and generally considers credit from other accredited institutions. Admission as a transfer student and acceptance of specific courses toward a degree are separate decisions.

Transfer applicants should arrange for official transcripts from every college attended and ask admissions which earlier school records are required for their circumstances. The college also reports accepting certain CLEP subject examinations and American Council on Education credit recommendations. Credit for a subject or prior learning may still count as an elective rather than replace a required course.

Before committing to enroll, a transfer applicant should request a written, course-by-course evaluation showing accepted credits, remaining requirements and any minimum number of credits that must be completed at Divine Word College. That is particularly important in a specialized curriculum where a course accepted for credit may not advance a student through the intended formation sequence.

What types of study abroad programs are available at Divine Word College?

Divine Word College's intercultural mission should not be confused with a guaranteed semester-abroad program. Students considering overseas coursework need to establish whether a specific opportunity is college-run, offered through a partner or pursued independently.

Before making travel commitments, students should obtain approval for the proposed courses and confirm how credits, aid eligibility, housing and any formation requirements would be handled. These details are especially consequential for a student following a prescribed sequence of philosophy or religious-studies courses.

How to Apply to Divine Word College

Regular application deadline

July 15

Application fee

$25

Early Decision

No

Early Action

No

Divine Word College First-Year Students

Where first-year students come from

Out-of-state: 1
International: 1

Freshmen vs. transfer students

Freshmen: 2
Transfer: 15

Divine Word College Admission Requirements

High school completions

General Educational Development (GED) required

Open admission policy

Yes

Dual credit

No

Credit for life experiences

Yes

Advanced placement (AP) credits

Yes

Special learning opportunities

Orientation program

Yes

Disabilities services

No

Off-campus study

No

Student can complete their preparation in certain areas of specialization

No

Preparation at another institution required

No

Approved by the state for initial certification or licensure of teacher

No

Divine Word College Transfer Acceptance Rate

Generally accepts credits

Yes

Accept ACE recommendation for credit

Yes

Possible transfer

Fall, Spring

Data last updated on November 5, 2026

Data sources: IPEDS 2024-25, Peterson 2026, College Scorecard 10/2026, Clery 2024 (2023-24), OpenAlex 2026

Figures on this profile come from federal and third-party datasets in the editions listed above and are refreshed periodically, so they may differ from what the institution currently reports. Confirm costs, deadlines and requirements with the school before making decisions.

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