
Waldorf University began in 1903 as Waldorf College in Forest City, Iowa. Founded in a Norwegian Lutheran tradition, it developed from a small college into an institution offering on-campus and online programs.
A significant change came in 2010, when Waldorf became part of Columbia Southern Education Group. The institution later adopted the Waldorf University name as its range of degrees expanded. Its history helps explain the combination of a residential campus, online study, and references to a Lutheran heritage. Prospective students comparing older accounts with current policies should use the university's present academic catalog and accreditation information.
Waldorf University offers undergraduate and graduate study across the arts and sciences, business, education, and career-focused fields. Its program offerings include examples such as business, criminal justice, education, psychology, communication, health-related administration, and public safety.
Students should distinguish a subject listed in an academic catalog from a degree that can be completed in their preferred format. Campus and online offerings, available concentrations, and required practical experiences can differ. For teaching or other licensed professions, the relevant question is also whether a particular program meets the requirements of the state where the student intends to work.
Waldorf reports a student-to-faculty ratio of 22 to 1. That institution-wide measure does not establish the size of an individual class or how often a particular course is offered.
Waldorf University is based in Forest City, a small community in northern Iowa. The setting is substantially different from that of an urban university: residential students should expect campus and town activities to play a larger role in daily life.
A car may be useful for shopping, work, and travel beyond Forest City, and first-year students are permitted to register or park one on campus. Mason City Municipal Airport is a regional air-travel option, but students planning long-distance trips should check routes and ground transportation before relying on it. Online students should confirm whether their program has any required campus visits or in-person placements.
Waldorf describes its educational purpose in terms of academic learning, personal development, and preparation for work and service. Its institutional history is rooted in a Norwegian Lutheran tradition; that background should not be mistaken for a requirement that every student share a particular faith.
For applicants, the practical test of any stated mission is how it appears in their program: general-education requirements, advising, experiential learning, and opportunities to participate in campus life may differ by degree and study format. A mission statement describes institutional aims, not a measured outcome for every student.
Name of the institution
Waldorf UniversityLevel of institution
Four or more yearsControl of institution
PrivateSetting type
Rural: RemoteInstitutional Category
Degree - granting, primarily baccalaureate or aboveInstitution size category
1,000 - 4,999School type
Comprehensive higher education institutionMain student body
CoeducationalCalendar system
SemestersFoundation year
1903Waldorf University is institutionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, an accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Accreditation confirms that the school meets quality standards and is required for students to receive federal financial aid.
Certificate of less than 1 year
Associate's degree
Bachelor's degree
Master's degreeData last updated on November 5, 2026
Data sources: IPEDS 2024-25, Peterson 2026, College Scorecard 10/2026, Clery 2024 (2023-24), OpenAlex 2026
Figures on this profile come from federal and third-party datasets in the editions listed above and are refreshed periodically, so they may differ from what the institution currently reports. Confirm costs, deadlines and requirements with the school before making decisions.