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PrivateRural

Waldorf University

Forest City, Iowa 50436-1713

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Campus Vibe

Small & IntimateRuralPrivateBusiness Focus

Known for business

Waldorf University is a private institution in Forest City with particular strength in business and psychology.

A mid-sized campus of 2.1K undergraduates with a 22:1 student-faculty ratio. The rural location provides a peaceful, focused academic environment.

29% of students graduate within four years, and graduates earn a median of $51,165 a decade after enrollment. Net price after aid averages $21,683.

Established
1903
Motto
Lux et Veritas
Type
Private for-profit university
Conference
National Association of

Campus Visits

44 upcoming visits · Next: Mon, Jun 1 · Campus Tour

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73%Acceptance
SAT Avg
2,103Students
22:1Student:Faculty
29%Grad Rate
$51,165Earnings 10yr
$21,683Net Price

News & Alerts

program2026-03-15

Waldorf University Launches New Data Science Minor

Starting Fall 2026, students can pursue an interdisciplinary data science minor combining CS, statistics, and domain courses.

tuition2026-02-28

Tuition Increase Announced for 2026-27

The board of trustees approved a 3.2% tuition increase for the upcoming academic year, in line with peer institutions.

Admissions

Acceptance Rate72.6%

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard / IPEDS.

Admissions Intel

Acceptance Rate

72.6%

Trend

Yield Rate

35.0%

Cost & Financial Aid

Sticker Price

Tuition$25,220
Room & Board$9,448
Books & Supplies$1,578
Total Cost of Attendance$38,035
Average Net Price$21,683
Median Debt at Graduation$18,752
Monthly Payment (10yr)$199

Net Price by Family Income

$0–30K$19,354
$30–48K$19,450
$48–75K$23,887
$75–110K$24,358
$110K+$24,590

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Net price reflects most recent cohort of federally-aided undergraduates.

Debt & Aid Detail

Net Price Trend

Tuition Trend

Graduate w/ Zero Debt

61.3%

Avg Tuition Increase

3.2%/yr

Median Debt at Grad

$12,025

Campus Safety

Total Incidents (2024)

12

Peer Average

13

3-Year Trend

Emergency System

Campus police, emergency alert system, blue-light phones

Incident Breakdown (2024)

2

Burglary

0

Aggravated Assault

0

Robbery

1

Motor Vehicle Theft

2

Sex Offenses

0

Arson

4

Drug Arrests

3

Liquor Arrests

Source: U.S. Department of Education Campus Safety & Security data (Clery Act, 2024 reporting year).

Programs (42)

Student Life

Student Satisfaction

Retention Rate

52%

Negative
  • 52% first-year retention rate
  • Active student organizations
  • Engaged campus community

Mental Health Services

Counselor Ratio

1:350

24/7 Crisis Line

Yes

Free Sessions

12 per year

Avg Wait

5 days

Walk-in hours available weekdays

Disability Services

Dedicated OfficeOffice of Disability Services
Extended test timeNote-taking assistanceHousing accommodationsAccessible transportation

ADA-compliant campus with ongoing accessibility improvements

Dining

Rating

★★★★☆

Score

4/5

Meal Plan

$6,200/yr

VegetarianVeganGluten-freeHalalKosher

Multiple dining halls with farm-to-table options

Student Body

Undergrads
2,103
Gender Split
38% / 62%
Women / Men
First Generation
46%
Pell Grant Recipients
34%

Race & Ethnicity

White 52%
Black 13%
Hispanic 2%
Asian 1%
Two+ 2%
Int'l 1%

Outcomes

4-Year Graduation Rate29.0%
Freshman Retention51.7%

Median Earnings After Graduation

6 Years$50,515
10 Years$51,165

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Earnings reflect federally-aided students 6 and 10 years after entry.

Rankings

U.S. News
#72
vs 2024

More About This School

Varsity Sports — Warriors

Ice hockeyWrestlingSoccerWrestling program

History & Fun Facts

  • Since 1920, Waldorf's curriculum has evolved to reflect a liberal arts emphasis.
  • In the spring of 1994, Waldorf College was accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.
  • In January 2010, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America sold the college to a subsidiary of Columbia Southern University and it became a for-profit institution.
  • Waldorf College became Waldorf University in March 2016.
  • In 2022, the ownership of the college was transferred to the Waldorf Lutheran College Foundation and the university began the process of returning to nonprofit status.

Source: Wikipedia

Location & Lifestyle

Cost of Living

112Above Average

Housing and food costs are higher than national average

Climate (School Year)

68°
Sep
55°
Oct
42°
Nov
30°
Dec
25°
Jan
28°
Feb
38°
Mar
50°
Apr
62°
May
Snowfall: 48"Sunny days: 200Rainy days: 120

Nearest Cities

Bostonpop. 675,647
90 miles(95 min)
Hartfordpop. 121,054
60 miles(70 min)

Transit Scores

BikeableCampus shuttle: Free campus shuttle runs 7am-midnight
72
Walk Score
45
Transit Score
68
Bike Score

Local Economy

Unemployment Rate3.2%
Top Employers
UniversityRegional Medical CenterTech corridor firms
Key Industries
EducationHealthcareTechnology

Getting There

Nearest Airports

MSP Minneapolis-St Paul114 mi
MCI Kansas City280 mi
MKE Milwaukee291 mi

Distance to Cities

Boston, MA1143 mi · ~33h 1m drive
New York, NY1021 mi · ~29h 30m drive
Hartford, CT1070 mi · ~30h 55m drive
Providence, RI1133 mi · ~32h 44m drive
Albany, NY1004 mi · ~29h drive
Syracuse, NY880 mi · ~25h 25m drive
Rochester, NY806 mi · ~23h 17m drive
Buffalo, NY745 mi · ~21h 31m drive
Philadelphia, PA979 mi · ~28h 17m drive
Pittsburgh, PA728 mi · ~21h 2m drive
Harrisburg, PA886 mi · ~25h 36m drive
Newark, NJ1012 mi · ~29h 14m drive
Washington, DC914 mi · ~26h 24m drive
Baltimore, MD924 mi · ~26h 42m drive
Atlanta, GA825 mi · ~23h 50m drive
Charlotte, NC880 mi · ~25h 25m drive
Raleigh, NC950 mi · ~27h 27m drive
Miami, FL1427 mi · ~41h 13m drive
Orlando, FL1224 mi · ~35h 22m drive
Tampa, FL1228 mi · ~35h 29m drive
Nashville, TN611 mi · ~17h 39m drive
New Orleans, LA941 mi · ~27h 11m drive
Richmond, VA938 mi · ~27h 6m drive
Chicago, IL320 mi · ~9h 15m drive
Detroit, MI541 mi · ~15h 38m drive
Minneapolis, MN120 mi · ~3h 28m drive
St. Louis, MO367 mi · ~10h 36m drive
Kansas City, MO292 mi · ~8h 26m drive
Indianapolis, IN456 mi · ~13h 10m drive
Columbus, OH595 mi · ~17h 11m drive
Cleveland, OH621 mi · ~17h 56m drive
Milwaukee, WI289 mi · ~8h 21m drive
Dallas, TX744 mi · ~21h 30m drive
Houston, TX938 mi · ~27h 6m drive
Austin, TX926 mi · ~26h 45m drive
San Antonio, TX993 mi · ~28h 41m drive
Los Angeles, CA1465 mi · ~42h 19m drive
San Francisco, CA1550 mi · ~44h 47m drive
San Diego, CA1466 mi · ~42h 21m drive
Seattle, WA1414 mi · ~40h 51m drive
Portland, OR1434 mi · ~41h 26m drive
Denver, CO635 mi · ~18h 21m drive
Phoenix, AZ1203 mi · ~34h 45m drive
Salt Lake City, UT951 mi · ~27h 28m drive
Honolulu, HI3941 mi · ~113h 51m drive
Upper Midwest / Northeast (cold winters, warm summers)

Visit Planning

Suggested Itinerary

9:00 AMArrive & park
Visitor parking lot
Free parking with visitor pass
9:30 AMCheck in at Admissions
Admissions Office
10:00 AMInformation session
Welcome Center
45 minutes
11:00 AMCampus tour
Starts at Welcome Center
75 minutes, student-led
12:30 PMLunch
Main Dining Hall
Visitor meal passes available
1:30 PMDepartment visit
Academic buildings
Schedule with department directly
2:30 PMExplore campus independently
Library, student center, residence halls

Airport Transit

Minneapolis-St Paul (MSP)114 miles
Rental car
171 min$40-60/day
Shuttle/rideshare
228 min$137-228
Kansas City (MCI)280 miles
Rental car
420 min$40-60/day
Shuttle/rideshare
560 min$336-560

Deadline Calendar

Waldorf University Application Checklist

Decision Notifications

Waldorf University — v2 Preview — TourStack