Waldorf University

Forest City, IA

Private nonprofit small campus Rural: Remote 1,827 undergrads

Affordability & debt

Average net price
$19,693per year, after aid
Undergraduates with a federal loan
39%
Undergraduates receiving a Pell grant
36%need-based, not repaid
Typical debt at graduation
$18,752federal loans, students who finished
Reducing their balance within 3 years
55%of borrowers who entered repayment

What that debt costs to repay. Typical debt here is about $18,752. At 7% over 10 years — the standard federal plan — that is roughly $218 a month, about $26,127 repaid in total, of which $7,375 is interest.

Stretch the same balance over 25 years and the payment drops to $133 a month — but the total climbs to $39,761, roughly $13,633 more in interest. A smaller payment is not a smaller loan.

An estimate, not financial advice: straight amortization at a fixed rate, ignoring fees, interest accrued while enrolled, and any forgiveness or income-driven plan. Figures on this page are averages and medians — what any one family borrows and pays varies widely. Try your own numbers.

Waldorf University’s net price calculator — every college is required to publish one. It is the only way to get a cost estimate based on your family’s own finances rather than an average.

Published tuition

In-state tuition
$25,978published rate
Out-of-state tuition
$25,978published rate

The sticker price before any aid. Most students pay less than this — the net price above is what aided students actually paid on average.

Admissions

Acceptance rate
77%

Context for the class as a whole, not a prediction about any one applicant.

Outcomes

Median earnings
$51,16510 years after entry

Median earnings of former students who received federal aid, measured 10 years after they started.

Campus life

Campus setting
Rural: Remote
Residential character
Primarily commuter — most students live off campus
Religious affiliation
Evangelical Lutheran Church

Most common fields of study

  • Homeland security & law enforcement30%
  • Business & marketing24%
  • Engineering technology19%
  • Psychology11%
  • Family & consumer sciences3%
  • Education3%

Share of degrees awarded, by broad field.

Athletics

NAIA Division I

  • Baseball
  • Basketball
  • Bowling
  • Cross Country
  • Football
  • Golf
  • Ice Hockey
  • Soccer
  • Softball
  • Track and Field
  • Volleyball
  • Wrestling

What borrowing would really cost

Starting from the typical debt at Waldorf University. Change any figure to see your own.

Federal undergraduate loans have recently been near 7%. Private loans are often higher.

Standard plan — 10 years

$218per month

Total repaid
$26,127
Interest paid
$7,375

Longer term — 25 years

$133per month

Total repaid
$39,761
Interest paid
$21,009

Borrow $18,752 and repay it over 25 years instead of 10, and you pay $13,633 more — $39,761 in all, about 2.1× what you borrowed. The monthly payment is smaller; the loan is not.

An estimate, not financial advice. Straight amortization at a fixed rate: it assumes every payment is made on time and the rate never changes, and it leaves out fees, interest that accrues while you’re still enrolled, and any forgiveness or income-driven plan. Planning4College is not a financial advisor and sells no loans. Check real terms with your school’s financial aid office and studentaid.gov.

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Data from the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard and the Equity in Athletics survey. Figures reflect the most recent reporting year available and may be out of date or incomplete — confirm anything decision-critical with the college directly. Official site: Waldorf University.