“The only Roman Catholic seminary in the U.S. dedicated to forming missionaries through liberal arts, intercultural immersion, and spiritual formation.”
Divine Word College (DWC) is a private, Roman Catholic liberal arts college and seminary located in Epworth, Iowa, operated by the Society of the Divine Word (SVD) — one of the world's largest Catholic missionary religious orders. Founded in 1912 in Techny, Illinois, the college relocated to its current rural Iowa campus in 1964, where it occupies a large, purpose-built facility that serves as the principal site of SVD undergraduate seminary education in the United States. DWC holds the singular distinction of being the only Roman Catholic seminary college in the United States whose mission centers explicitly on preparing men and women for missionary service around the globe — as priests, brothers, sisters, and lay missionaries. With an intentionally small enrollment of approximately 75 students representing up to 17 countries, Divine Word College offers an unmatched level of intercultural immersion. The campus community embodies the diversity of the global Church, with resident SVD seminarians, religious sisters from other orders, and lay students from Africa, Asia, Latin America, the Pacific Islands, and beyond living and learning together. This intercultural environment is not incidental — it is the pedagogical heart of DWC's educational model. Coursework in intercultural studies, theology, philosophy, and language learning is combined with spiritual formation practices drawn from the SVD charism of dialogue and mission. DWC's liberal arts core curriculum of 44 required credits ensures graduates are grounded in the arts, communication, philosophy, mathematics, natural sciences, and religious studies before specializing in their major. Bachelor's and Associate of Arts degrees are offered in Philosophy, Theology & Religious Studies, and Intercultural Studies. An Intensive English Language Institute (ESL program) supports international students transitioning to English-medium instruction. While DWC is a niche institution with no sports teams, large campus activities, or graduate programs, it offers an extraordinary experience for those seeking rigorous academic formation in a deeply spiritual and globally diverse setting.
Visa, OPT, H-1B alumni outcomes, and acceptance rates by country — sourced from FOIA, USCIS H-1B Hub, and DHS SEVIS.
Test Optional — You can submit scores if they help your case, but they're not required.
Official SourceFall Admission (Priority)
Admissions Committee processes applications within two weeks of receipt; rolling review. Contact [email protected] or call 563-876-3353.
The deep admissions playbook beyond the headline acceptance rate — round-by-round breakdowns, nationality data, requirements, and contact paths.
Tuition & Fees (All Students)
$15,600
/yr
Beyond the sticker price — every named scholarship, the financial aid policy, need-aware notes, and a personalized net-cost estimate.
How life on campus actually feels — clubs, sports, traditions, housing realities, and how the school integrates with its city.
Prepares students for missionary ministry through theological inquiry, philosophy of religion, and moral reasoning within the Catholic tradition.
Houses the Intercultural Studies program, preparing students to understand, navigate, and serve across cultures as missionaries and global citizens.
Provides comprehensive English language instruction for international students at various proficiency levels prior to or alongside college coursework.
4 years
Integrates Catholic theological tradition with practical mission formation, preparing students intellectually and spiritually for service in cross-cultural missionary contexts worldwide.
4 years
One of DWC's signature programs, combining anthropology, cultural theory, language study, and field experience to equip graduates for meaningful engagement across diverse human communities.
2 years
A foundational two-year program in classical and contemporary philosophy, grounding students in critical reasoning as a prerequisite to theological study and missionary preparation.
Where alumni go after graduation — top industries, grad-school continuation, and the qualitative outcomes story.
Sticker price (annual, out-of-state): $15,600
Net-cost estimate is US-resident-only — international applicants are typically excluded from need-based aid at most schools and should treat the sticker price as the planning baseline.
