Waldorf University is a private nonprofit 4-year college in Forest City, Iowa with 1,827 undergraduates. It admits 77% of applicants, costs an average of $24,003 a year after grants and graduates 43% of its students.
Figures from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, released October 15, 2026. What each number covers.
Waldorf University acceptance rate and admissions
Waldorf University admitted 77% of applicants for fall 2024. The median acceptance rate at 4-year colleges is 77%.
Test scores: Neither required nor recommended (as reported for fall 2024 admission). That means you can apply without SAT or ACT scores. Check the admissions office for the current policy.
Waldorf University tuition, cost and net price
| Tuition and fees (2025-26) | $26,758 |
|---|---|
| On-campus housing and food (2025-26) | $10,416 |
| Total cost of attendance (2024-25) | $45,052 |
| Average net price after grants (2024-25) | $24,003 |
Students who get federal aid pay an average of $24,003 a year after grants and scholarships, $21,049 less than the full cost of attendance.
What families pay, by income
Average yearly cost after grants for aided first-time students, by family income (2024-25):
Your own price depends on your family's full situation. Run Waldorf University's net price calculator for a personal estimate, or make a "what it costs us" card.
Waldorf University graduation rate, earnings and debt
- 43% of first-time, full-time students finished within six years (students who started in 2019).
- Former students earned a median of $58,667 a year, 10 years after they started (students who received federal aid and were working).
- Students who completed left with a median of $22,500 in federal student loans.
Earnings compared
Debt compared
Median debt is 38% of median earnings 10 years after entry. Many advisers suggest keeping total student debt below one year of expected pay. See the monthly payment.
Waldorf University majors and what graduates earn
Waldorf University awarded bachelor's degrees in 21 fields recently. The best-paid graduates four years out came from fire science ($100,060).
All 21 majors at Waldorf University
| Major | Graduates (2023-24) | Earnings 1 yr after | Earnings 4 yrs after | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fire science | 51 | $104,691 | $100,060 | $20,251 |
| Human resources | 39 | $68,676 | $94,822 | $25,747 |
| Quality Control and Safety Technologies/Technicians | 118 | $69,728 | $83,151 | $24,025 |
| Homeland security | 107 | $76,984 | $76,520 | $23,060 |
| Business | 86 | $57,164 | $63,357 | $24,310 |
| Criminal justice | 29 | $51,761 | $54,289 | $22,750 |
| Psychology | 62 | $42,540 | $50,184 | $26,000 |
| Communication | 9 | $42,108 | $49,473 | $24,625 |
| Teacher education by grade level | 17 | $42,161 | $49,228 | $21,133 |
| Health administration | 20 | $63,038 | n/a | n/a |
| Foods, Nutrition, and Related Services | 16 | n/a | n/a | $21,500 |
| Kinesiology and exercise science | 15 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| History | 6 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Biology | 5 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Theater | 3 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies | 2 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Public relations and advertising | 1 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Music | 1 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Business administration | 1 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Teacher education by subject | 0 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Nursing | 0 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
Four-year earnings: graduates of 2017-18 and 2018-19, measured in 2022 and 2023, in 2024 dollars. Fields with few graduates have no published earnings.
Graduate programs at Waldorf University
4 graduate programs awarded degrees recently. Largest first.
Show 4 graduate programs
| Program | Degree | Graduates (2023-24) | Earnings 1 yr after | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Business administration | Master's | 157 | $83,310 | $38,293 |
| Teacher education by grade level | Master's | 24 | $57,872 | $25,184 |
| Health administration | Master's | 9 | $61,457 | n/a |
| Educational/Instructional Media Design | Master's | 6 | n/a | n/a |
Trade and career programs at Waldorf University
Certificate and associate programs in the trades we track. One-year earnings are for graduates of 2020-21 and 2021-22, four-year earnings for graduates of 2017-18 and 2018-19, both in 2024 dollars.
| Program | Credential | Graduates (2023-24) | Earnings 1 yr after | Earnings 4 yrs after | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Medical billing and coding | Associate degree | 13 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
Students and location
- 1,827 degree-seeking undergraduates (fall 2024)
- 37% women, 63% men
- 22 students for every faculty member
- Setting: rural, remote
- Accredited by Higher Learning Commission
Frequently asked questions
What is the acceptance rate at Waldorf University?
Waldorf University admitted 77% of applicants for fall 2024, according to the U.S. Department of Education.
How much does Waldorf University cost?
Tuition and fees for 2025-26 are $26,758. After grants and scholarships, aided students paid an average net price of $24,003 a year in 2024-25.
Is Waldorf University test-optional?
For fall 2024 admission, Waldorf University reported that test scores were: neither required nor recommended. Policies change, so confirm with the admissions office.
What is the graduation rate at Waldorf University?
43% of first-time, full-time students finished within six years.
How much do Waldorf University graduates make?
Former students who received federal aid earned a median of $58,667 a year 10 years after they started, in 2024 dollars.
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More: all colleges in Iowa · Waldorf University on the College Scorecard
Source: U.S. Department of Education, College Scorecard, data release of October 15, 2026. What each figure means and the year it covers.