Waldorf University

Private · Moderately Selective · IA

School data & stats

TypePrivate

LocationIA · Midwest

SettingRural

Undergrads1,827

Student:faculty22:1

Outcomes

4-yr grad rate20.9%

6-yr grad rate21.1%

Drop-out rate55.9%

Study abroad—

Cost

In-state tuition$26k

Out-of-state tuition$26k

Application fee—

Community

Racial diversity42.7%

Gender diversity37.1%

International0.3%

IdentityEvangelical Lutheran Church

Overview

Waldorf University is a small private university in Forest City, Iowa, with Lutheran roots, offering both a small residential campus and a large online degree-completion program. The two sides of the university operate somewhat separately — residential students experience a traditional small-college campus, while online students are typically adult learners pursuing career-oriented degrees remotely.

Academics

Business, criminal justice, and education are the most established career-oriented programs, reflecting the university's practical, workforce-focused curriculum rather than a traditional liberal arts emphasis.

Campus & student life

The residential campus supports a wide range of athletic teams relative to its size, drawing in a meaningful share of the traditional-age student body who come specifically to compete at the college level.

Getting in

Admissions are generally accessible rather than highly selective, making Waldorf a realistic option for students who might not clear the bar at more selective private colleges.

Worth knowing

The split between the residential, athletics-driven undergraduate population and the much larger online adult-learner population is worth understanding — the two experiences are quite different even though they share the same institution.

waldorf.edu ↗

Admissions

Acceptance rate77%

Enrolled mid-50%—

Test policynot used

Rec letters0

Deadlines (2026–27 cycle)

AdmissionRolling

Applying