Campus Vibe
Known for biology — close-knit campus
Wartburg College is a private institution in Waverly with particular strength in biology and business. With an average SAT of 1136, the school attracts a broad applicant pool.
A small campus of 1.4K undergraduates with a 13:1 student-faculty ratio. The town location creates a classic college-town feel.
67% of students graduate within four years, and graduates earn a median of $56,201 a decade after enrollment. Net price after aid averages $22,604.
Plan Your Visit
News & Alerts
Wartburg College Launches New Data Science Minor
Starting Fall 2026, students can pursue an interdisciplinary data science minor combining CS, statistics, and domain courses.
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
SAT Score Ranges
Average: 1136
ACT Score Range
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard / IPEDS.
Cost & Financial Aid
Sticker Price
Net Price by Family Income
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
36.0%
Avg Tuition Increase
3.2%/yr
Median Debt at Grad
$19,500
Campus Safety
Total Incidents (2024)
9
Peer Average
13
3-Year Trend
Emergency System
Campus security, emergency notification system
Incident Breakdown (2024)
Burglary
Aggravated Assault
Robbery
Motor Vehicle Theft
Sex Offenses
Arson
Drug Arrests
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
80%
- •80% 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
ADA-compliant campus with ongoing accessibility improvements
Dining
Rating
★★★★☆
Score
4/5
Meal Plan
$6,200/yr
Multiple dining halls with farm-to-table options
Student Body
Race & Ethnicity
Outcomes
Median Earnings After Graduation
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Earnings reflect federally-aided students 6 and 10 years after entry.
Rankings
More About This School
Varsity Sports
History & Fun Facts
- •History Wartburg College was founded in 1852 in Saginaw, Michigan, by Georg M.
- •The college moved many times between Illinois and Iowa before settling in Waverly in 1935.
- •Paul Luther College in Saint Paul, Minnesota, merged with Wartburg College.
- •The first mention of Ausflug comes from Mendota, Illinois, in 1883, when students went on a Friday-Saturday excursion to nearby Starved Rock, now a state park.
- •Faculty minutes for October 5, 1892, note that Ausflug was scheduled for the next day.
Source: Wikipedia
Location & Lifestyle
Cost of Living
Housing and food costs are higher than national average
Climate (School Year)
Nearest Cities
Transit Scores
Local Economy
Getting There
Nearest Airports
Distance to Cities
Visit Planning
Suggested Itinerary
Nearby Hotels
Airport Transit
Schools Like This
Des Moines University-Osteopathic Medical Center
West Des Moines, IA · Rural · Private
Grand View University
Des Moines, IA · Urban · Private
Mercy College of Health Sciences
Des Moines, IA · Urban · Private
Upper Iowa University
Fayette, IA · Rural · Private