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Waldorf University

Private for-profit Forest City, IA · Rural · Plains · 93% data reported · Agent Insights · Claim Your School's Profile ➜
24%
Graduation Rate
$51,165
Earnings (10yr)
$19,693
Net Price
77%
Acceptance Rate
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About Waldorf University

Waldorf University is profiled below with full outcomes data from federal sources.

Interpretation generated from this school's federal outcomes, research, and mobility data.

Institutional Profile

Institution Type
Private for-profit University
Carnegie Class
Master's University
Enrollment
1,827
Setting
Rural
Primary Strengths
Criminal Justice, Business & Marketing, Psychology, Health Professions

Why students choose Waldorf University

Strength in Criminal Justice
Its most-awarded field of study

CollegeRanker Report Card

Graded on outcomes, against every U.S. college.

C
Top 50% overall
B
Earnings
$51,165 median
C
Value
2.6× net price
C-
Affordability
$19,693/yr net
F
Graduation
24% graduate
C+
Social Mobility
1.6% climb Q1→Q5
C
Selectivity
77% admit rate
C+
Diversity
0.64 index

Each grade is this school's national percentile on a real outcome — earnings, value, mobility, and more.

How we grade →

Overview

Waldorf University has an acceptance rate of 77%, making it accessible for many students. This figure highlights the university's commitment to welcoming a diverse range of applicants. With an enrollment of 1,827, it offers a vibrant community for those looking to further their education.

Graduates from Waldorf University see a median earning of $51,165 within ten years of completing their degree. While the school does not have specific mobility or success rates for students from lower-income backgrounds, the 36% Pell Grant rate indicates that a significant portion of the student body comes from families with financial need. This suggests that the university is working to support students from various economic backgrounds.

The net price for attending Waldorf University is $19,693, with a median debt of $18,752 upon graduation. These figures reflect a manageable financial commitment for many students. Individuals who thrive here often pursue programs in Criminal Justice, Business & Marketing, Psychology, Health Professions, or Education, aligning their studies with practical career paths.

1

Can I Get In?

How selective Waldorf University is — and how your numbers stack up.

Tool

Will I Be Accepted?

Enter your credentials to see your chances at this school.

3.0
Test Score
1050
21

Academics & Admissions

Is It Hard to Get Into Waldorf University? Acceptance Rate & Requirements

Waldorf University, located in Forest City, Iowa, keeps admissions accessible, extending offers to roughly 77% of those who apply. The school reports a graduation rate of roughly 24%.

Acceptance Rate 77%
Retention Rate 44%
Full-Time Faculty 37%
Faculty Salary (mo) $5,766
Student–Faculty Ratio 24:1
Diversity Index 0.64
First-Gen Students 46%
Applicants 1,056
Admitted 780
2

Can I Afford It?

What you'll actually pay after grants and aid — not the sticker price.

Cost & Financial Aid

How Much Does It Cost to Attend Waldorf University? Tuition, Net Price & Aid

When weighing the true cost of attending Waldorf University, prospective students should look past the published sticker price of $25,978 in tuition. The figure that matters more is the average net price — the actual out-of-pocket cost after federal grants, institutional scholarships, and student loans — which works out to about $19,693 for families who qualify for aid. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $16,448 after need-based grants. Graduates leave with a median federal student-loan debt of about $18,752.

$25,978
In-State Tuition
$25,978
Out-of-State
$19,693
Avg Net Price
$18,752
Median Debt
36%
Pell Grant Rate
39%
Federal Loan Rate

What Families Actually Pay

$16,448
Family Income $0–$30K
$18,378
Family Income $30K–$48K
$23,045
Family Income $48K–$75K
$23,667
Family Income $110K+
3

What Happens After?

Earnings, debt, and where graduates actually land.

Graduate Outcomes

Is Waldorf University Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI

Ten years out, alumni of Waldorf University earn a median of $51,165, roughly in line with national averages for graduates.

$50,515
6 Years After Entry
$49,831
8 Years
$51,165
10 Years
0.37x
Debt-to-Earnings
61%
Earning > $25K

Earnings Trajectory

$50,515 6yr $49,831 8yr $51,165 10yr

Graduation by Timeframe

46%
100% (36)
46%
100% (36)
46%
100% (36)
46%
100% (36)

How Waldorf Compares

Dot right of center = above national average.

NATIONAL AVGGraduation24%Earnings 10yr$51KNet Price$20KRetention44%Median Debt$19KPell Grant Rate36%

Net Price by Family Income

What families actually pay after aid, by income bracket.

$16K$0-30K$18K$30-48K$23K$48-75K$24K$110K+

The Mobility Equation

Mobility = Access x Success. How many low-income students get in, and how many reach the top 20%?

ACCESS% from bottom 20%10.3%SUCCESS% who reach top 20%15.6%MOBILITY1.61%

College ROI Calculator

Is Waldorf University Worth It?

A data-driven look at the return on your educational investment — using real federal data.

Yes — for most students, Waldorf University delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $19,693/year ($78,772 total). Graduates earn $51,165 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $1,036,840 in total earnings — a net gain of $958,068 (13.2× your investment). The median debt is $18,752, which takes less than a year to pay back at typical earnings. With a 24% graduation rate, the path to that return is well-tested. This is a exceptional ROI compared to national averages.

$78,772
Total Cost (4yr)
$1,036,840
Projected 20yr Earnings
$958,068
Net Return
13.2×
ROI Multiple
$19,693
Cost Per Year
$18,752
Median Debt
Less than 1 yr
Debt Payback
24%
Graduation Rate
4

Does It Change Lives?

Mobility, social capital, and innovation — does it move people up?

Social Mobility

Data: Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card · 30M+ anonymized tax records

Does Waldorf University Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes

Waldorf University is a genuine engine of upward mobility: its mobility rate — the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top — is 1.61%, well above the typical college. Access is a real strength here: roughly 10.3% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile, a high share that gives low-income students a genuine foothold. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 15.6% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $70,300, a useful read on the campus's socioeconomic mix.

1.61%
Mobility Rate
Bottom 20% → Top 20%
15.6%
Success Rate
If bottom 20% get in
10.3%
From Bottom 20%
Share of students
$70,300
Parent Median Income

Top Programs

The fields Waldorf University awards the most degrees in, by share of completions. Each links to its degree guide — with salary, growth, and the schools with the strongest outcomes.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is It Hard to Get Into Waldorf University? Acceptance Rate & Requirements +

Waldorf University, located in Forest City, Iowa, keeps admissions accessible, extending offers to roughly 77% of those who apply. The school reports a graduation rate of roughly 24%.

How Much Does It Cost to Attend Waldorf University? Tuition, Net Price & Aid +

When weighing the true cost of attending Waldorf University, prospective students should look past the published sticker price of $25,978 in tuition. The figure that matters more is the average net price — the actual out-of-pocket cost after federal grants, institutional scholarships, and student loans — which works out to about $19,693 for families who qualify for aid. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $16,448 after need-based grants. Graduates leave with a median federal student-loan debt of about $18,752.

Is Waldorf University Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI +

Ten years out, alumni of Waldorf University earn a median of $51,165, roughly in line with national averages for graduates.

Does Waldorf University Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes +

Waldorf University is a genuine engine of upward mobility: its mobility rate — the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top — is 1.61%, well above the typical college. Access is a real strength here: roughly 10.3% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile, a high share that gives low-income students a genuine foothold. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 15.6% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $70,300, a useful read on the campus's socioeconomic mix.

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