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Waldorf University

Forest City, IA · Private For-Profit

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72.6%
Acceptance (Fall 2023)
N/A
SAT
$30,954
Sticker Price
$22,077
Net Price*
$43,860
Earnings 10 yrs after enrolling
10 yrs
Payback
1,033
Applicants

*Net price for families earning $48k–$75k. See all income brackets →

Apply Now Admissions Info Financial Aid Net Price Calculator

What is Waldorf University's acceptance rate?

Down 2.8 percentage points since 2018

With a 72.6% acceptance rate, Waldorf University is considered accessible. The school has become increasingly competitive over the past five years. Applicants should focus on demonstrating strong academics, meaningful extracurriculars, and authentic personal essays to stand out in the applicant pool.

How many students apply to Waldorf University?

Waldorf University received 1,033 applications in 2023, down 4% since 2018. High application volume means admissions officers spend limited time per application—typically 8-15 minutes. Make every word count in your essays and ensure your application materials are error-free.

Applications
Admitted

How many admitted students enroll?

The yield rate of 24% is typical for a school of this caliber. Yield rate measures how many admitted students actually enroll—a key indicator of how desirable students find the school. Demonstrating genuine interest through campus visits, attending info sessions, and writing specific "Why Us" essays can improve your chances.

What are the most popular majors at Waldorf University?

Quality Control and Safety Technologies/Technicians leads as the most popular major at Waldorf University. Your intended major can affect admission chances—some programs are more competitive than others. Research department-specific requirements, faculty research, and career outcomes when choosing your major. Consider how your academic interests align with the school's strengths.

How have majors changed over time?

Degrees awarded by major, 2015–2024

How has tuition changed at Waldorf University?

Tuition has increased by 16% since 2015. Total cost of attendance (including fees and room & board) has grown 17% from $26,508 to $30,954.

Tuition Total Cost

How much do Waldorf University graduates earn by major?

Graduates in Fire Protection earn among the highest salaries, with median earnings of $74,200 within two years of graduation. Earnings vary significantly by major—STEM and business fields typically offer higher starting salaries, while humanities and arts may have different career trajectories. Consider both passion and practical outcomes when choosing your field of study.

Median two years after graduating, for graduates of each program — not the same measure as the headline earnings figure above, which covers everyone who enrolled, ten years after starting. Source: College Scorecard field-of-study file, June 2026.

Fire Protection $74,200 87 grads
$12,468 $94,408
Human Resources Management and... $58,390 25 grads · small sample
$12,468 $94,408
Business/Commerce, General $37,208 89 grads
$12,468 $94,408
Psychology, General $35,954 45 grads
$12,468 $94,408
This school National avg

What do Waldorf University graduates actually earn?

The median tells one story, but outcomes vary widely. Here's the full range of earnings 10 years after enrollment for graduates of Waldorf University.

25th: $29,000 Median: $43,860 75th: $57,661
10th: $13,000 90th: $66,000

Earnings range for graduates 10 years after enrollment. The green bar shows the middle 50% (25th–75th percentile). Source: College Scorecard, June 2026 release.

How do Waldorf University earnings grow over time?

Median earnings from 1 year after completion through 11 years after enrollment. Early-career earnings show what graduates earn soon after graduating, while later years reflect career growth and advancement.

Do Waldorf University earnings vary by family income?

Median earnings of graduates grouped by their family income when they enrolled. Research shows family income can influence post-graduation outcomes through networking, unpaid internship access, and career choice flexibility.

Gender earnings gap at Waldorf University

Median earnings comparison between male and female graduates. The gap reflects differences in major choice, industry, and broader labor market patterns — not necessarily pay discrimination for the same role.

Waldorf University Admissions Statistics (2015–2023)

Each row shows the admissions cycle for that academic year. Applicants is the total number of students who applied for freshman admission. Admitted shows how many received acceptance letters. Rate is the acceptance rate (admitted ÷ applicants) — lower percentages indicate more selective schools. Yield measures the percentage of admitted students who actually enrolled — a high yield (above 50%) suggests the school is a top choice for admitted students, while lower yields indicate students often choose other options. SAT shows the 25th-75th percentile range, meaning the middle 50% of enrolled students scored within this range. Data is sourced from IPEDS, the federal database where all US colleges report annually.

Year Applicants Admitted Rate Yield
2023 1,033 750 72.6% 24.0%
2022 1,056 780 73.9% 22.1%
2021 1,097 793 72.3% 24.2%
2020 1,040 635 61.1% 25.4%
2019 1,447 957 66.1% 17.8%
2018 1,071 808 75.4% 31.3%
2017 771 554 71.9% 28.7%
2016 748 499 66.7% 31.9%
2015 873 577 66.1% 36.4%

Is Waldorf University worth it?

Calculate your personal ROI

4-Year Sticker Price --
4-Year Net Cost --
Earnings & ROI Range (10yr)
Conservative (25th pct) -- --
Expected (median) -- --
Optimistic (75th pct) -- --
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Estimates based on College Scorecard averages. Use official calculator →

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What do Waldorf University graduates earn?

Median Earnings (10 years)
$43,860
Earnings Range (10th - 90th percentile)
$13,000 $43,860 median $66,000

Earnings vary widely: the bottom 10% earn $13,000 while the top 10% earn $66,000. Your outcome depends heavily on major, career path, and individual circumstances.

Median Earnings (6 years)
$38,821
Median Debt
$18,800
6-Year Graduation Rate
51.9%

How much does Waldorf University cost?

The total cost of attendance at Waldorf University is approximately $30,954 per year. Remember: sticker price rarely equals actual cost. Most students receive financial aid, and net price varies significantly by family income. Use the school's Net Price Calculator for a personalized estimate before ruling out any option based on cost alone.

Tuition
$21,886
Fees
$1,202
Room & Board
$7,866
Total Cost of Attendance
$30,954

What You'll Actually Pay

Net price is what aided families paid after grants and scholarships, averaged within each income band. Your own cost depends on income, assets and the school's aid policies, so treat these as a floor rather than a quote. Many selective private schools are more affordable than public universities for middle and lower-income families because of generous institutional aid.

$0-30k income $19,729
$30-48k income $18,472
$48-75k income $22,077
$75-110k income $20,287
$110k+ income $22,640
No aid $30,954

These averages cover only students who received federal financial aid — a Pell Grant, a federal loan or work-study. Families who pay their own way are not included, so the higher brackets understate what a full-paying family is billed. The "no aid" row is the published cost of attendance.

What are the top majors?

View all majors →

Which majors pay the most?

  • Fire Protection $74,200
  • Human Resources Management and Services $58,390
  • Quality Control and Safety Technologies/Technicians N/A
  • Homeland Security N/A
  • Business/Commerce, General $37,208

Who attends Waldorf University?

Waldorf University enrolls 2,657 students, with 1% from outside the United States. Women make up 38% of the student body. Campus diversity enriches the educational experience through varied perspectives and backgrounds. Consider how you'll contribute to and benefit from the campus community when crafting your application.

Total Enrollment 2,657
Retention Rate 52%
International 1%
Women 38%
Race/Ethnicity
White 51%
Black 12%
Hispanic 2%
Asian 1%

How much financial aid is available?

62% of students receive some form of financial aid at Waldorf University. About 34% receive Pell Grants, indicating support for low-income students. Apply for aid regardless of your family's income level—merit scholarships and institutional grants are available to students at various income levels. Never assume you won't qualify.

Receive Grants 62%
Avg: $10,037 free money/year
Pell Grant Recipients 34%
Federal aid for <$60k income families
Have Federal Loans 39%
Avg: $5,698
School's Own Grants 90%
Avg: $13,471 from school funds

How much do professors earn?

Faculty salaries at Waldorf University are near the national average, reflecting the school's investment in attracting and retaining talented professors. Higher faculty compensation often correlates with stronger research programs, better student mentorship, and more resources for academic departments. Look for opportunities to engage with faculty through research, office hours, and smaller seminars.

This school National avg

Page updated 2026. Admissions and cost figures are the latest IPEDS release (2023); earnings are College Scorecard median 10-year post-enrollment, June 2026 release. Sources: IPEDS, College Scorecard.