Waldorf University
Waldorf University is a private, non-profit institution founded in 1903 in Forest City, Iowa, operating a dual-modality model with residential campus programs and over 120 fully online certificates and degrees serving working adults, military personnel, and transfer students.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1903
- HeadquartersForest City, United States
- Headcount101–250
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Waldorf University does
Waldorf University is a private, non-profit higher education institution founded in 1903 and headquartered in Forest City, Iowa. The university operates a dual-modality model: a traditional residential on-campus program at its Forest City campus (offering athletics, housing, and student life) and a fully online program suite comprising over 120 certificates, associate, bachelor's, and master's degrees spanning Occupational Safety and Health, Business (including MBA), Fire Science Administration, Healthcare Management, Criminal Justice, Homeland Security, and Organizational Leadership. Online programs have been offered since 2010 and are specifically designed for working adults, military service members, transfer students, and career-changers.
The university generates revenue primarily through tuition from both residential and online modalities, supplemented by federal financial aid processing, scholarships, and modest athletics-related income. Waldorf positions itself as one of the lowest-cost tuition providers in Iowa and nationally, supported by over 25 specialized scholarship programs and a Workforce Advantage Partner network that delivers 10% tuition discounts through employer and association referral channels. Its go-to-market combines direct recruitment (campus visits, open houses, athletic recruitment) for residential students with digital marketing and partner-channel referral for online enrollment.
Waldorf has built notable niche depth in fire service and public safety education through formal partnerships with organizations including FDNY, the National Volunteer Fire Council, the Air Force Sergeants Association, the Atlanta Fire Rescue Foundation, Baltimore City Fire Department, and the U.S. Navy Nurse Candidate Program. These partnerships function as both enrollment channels and brand-building mechanisms. Supporting programs include military-specific support services, a StartPoint early-college program for high school students, and extensive transfer credit policies. Technology infrastructure is limited to standard learning management and CRM systems, with no disclosed AI, API, or proprietary platform capabilities.
Waldorf University firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Waldorf University
- Legal name
- Waldorf University
- Website
- https://waldorf.edu
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1903
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 101–250 employees
- Short description
- Waldorf University is a private, non-profit institution founded in 1903 in Forest City, Iowa, operating a dual-modality model with residential campus programs and over 120 fully online certificates and degrees serving working adults, military personnel, and transfer students.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Waldorf University industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Higher Education
- NAICS
- Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (6113)
- SIC
- Services-Educational Services (8200)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Private/Independent Community & Junior Colleges (EDAHADAB)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Online Community Colleges (2-Year, Degree/Transfer) (EDAHALAC), Junior Colleges (Associate-Degree Granting) (EDAHADAC)
Keywords
Where Waldorf University is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Forest City
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Waldorf University business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Tuition - Residential Programs: Revenue generated from tuition for on-campus students in Forest City, Iowa. Waldorf offers one of the lowest tuition rates in Iowa.
- Tuition - Online Programs: Revenue from over 120 fully online programs including certificates, associate, bachelor's, and master's degrees across industries including Occupational Safety and Health, Business (including MBA), Fire Science, and Organizational Leadership.
- Financial Aid Processing: University participates in federal student aid programs, state grants, and manages private alternative loans through a network of lenders.
- Athletics Revenue: On-campus athletics programs (soccer, volleyball, football) may generate revenue through tickets, merchandise, and recruiting.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Annual | Residential undergraduate tuition |
| Subscription | Annual | Online programs tuition |
| Subscription | Annual | Workforce Advantage Partner Discount |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels5 records
Waldorf University product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Waldorf University is a private higher education institution that delivers over 120 fully online certificate, associate, bachelor's, and master's degree programs alongside traditional residential on-campus programs at its Forest City, Iowa campus. The institution targets traditional undergraduates, working adults, military service members, transfer students, and employees of partner organizations through flexible online and residential modalities, supported by an extensive portfolio of scholarships and workforce partnership discounts.
Product overview
Waldorf University operates as a dual-modality educational institution offering two primary delivery channels: Online Programs and Campus/Residential Programs. The Online Programs suite encompasses over 120 fully online certificates, associate, bachelor's, and master's degrees spanning fields such as Occupational Safety and Health, Business (including MBA), Fire Science, and Organizational Leadership. The Campus Programs deliver traditional classroom-based education at the Forest City, Iowa campus. Supporting offerings include Military Programs with specialized support and scholarships for service members, the StartPoint early college access program for high school students, and an extensive Scholarship Programs portfolio with over 25 specialized awards. All programs share the university's mission of affordable, accessible higher education with small class sizes and personalized attention.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Online Programs Comprehensive suite of over 120 fully online certificates, associate, bachelor's, and master's degrees designed specifically for online learners, covering industries including Occupational Safety and Health, Business (including MBA), Fire Science, and Organizational Leadership. Targets working adults, military personnel, and transfer students.
- Campus/Residential Programs Traditional on-campus degree programs delivered in a classroom setting at Waldorf University's Forest City, Iowa campus, offering academic rigor in a residential environment with on-campus housing, dining, athletics (soccer, volleyball, football), and student life activities. Targets recent high school graduates seeking traditional college experience.
- Military Programs Specialized educational programs and support services for military students, including veterans, active duty, and dependents, featuring military-specific scholarships, VA benefits administration, GEM (Grant for Military Education) program, and credit transfer for military training.
- StartPoint Program
Companies that use Waldorf University
Customer profileNamed customers6 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Waldorf University technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Waldorf University partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
14 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.
- Workforce Advantage Partners (multiple employers and associations)coreExtensive network of employer and association partners providing employees/members access to Waldorf programs with 10% tuition discounts and access to special scholarship programs. Includes fire departments, law enforcement agencies, and industry associations. Applications accepted year-round with 6 award periods per year.
- Air Force Sergeants Association (AFSA)majorPartnership with AFSA providing several scholarships to AFSA members. Dedicated to supporting military enlisted members and their families.
- New York City Fire Department (FDNY)majorTwo annual scholarships offered to FDNY employees — one for undergraduate degrees (open April 15 - May 31) and one for Master's degrees (open October 1 - November 30).
- Atlanta Fire Rescue FoundationminorAnnual scholarship for employees of the Atlanta Fire Department to fund degrees related to fire or emergency services. Applications open April 1 through June 30.
- Baltimore City Fire Department Fire and FutureminorScholarship program for the brave men and women of the Baltimore City Fire Department. Applications open October 1 through December 31.
- National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC)majorAnnual NVFC Scholarship presented to an individual demonstrating passion for education, love for professional community service, and desire to achieve educational goals. Applications open January 2 through March 31.
- Iowa Association of Professional Fire Chiefs (IAPFC)minorPartnership to present the Waldorf University/IAPFC Lt. Eric Hosette Memorial Scholarship for Iowa fire service members. Funding for online programs to promote higher education for Iowa's fire service.
- Black Chief Officers Committee (BCOC)minorPartnership to present the BCOC Chief Michael O'Neal Randolph Scholarship to a BCOC member who demonstrates excellence in their community. Applications open early January through late March.
- Scholarships AmericaminorMembership in Scholarships America Tuition Reduction Network providing discounts on tuition rates to Scholarships America consumers.
- U.S. Navy Nurse Candidate ProgramminorPartnership for students pursuing Bachelor of Science in Nursing (RN to BSN). Program participants receive $1,000 monthly stipend and $10,000 sign-on bonus with guaranteed Navy Nurse Corps employment after graduation.
- Delta AirlinesminorDelta Lift Scholarship awarding one Delta Airlines employee annually a scholarship to the program of their choice. Applications open July 1 through January 31.
- Military Firefighter Heritage FoundationminorScholarship awarded to a deserving Department of Defense Firefighter (Active Duty, Guard, Reserve, or Civilian) demonstrating leadership and potential for promotion through the DOD Fire Emergency Services System.
- SAFE AssociationminorAnnual scholarship for one member or volunteer of the SAFE Association demonstrating passion for education and development. Applications open June 1 through July 31.
- Newton Fire Department Local 863minorPartnership providing Newton Fire Department firefighters access to higher education through an annual scholarship.
Scale indicators4 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Waldorf University competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- College of the Ozarks: Small private Midwestern college emphasizing affordability, faith-friendly values, and work-study, located in rural Missouri. Comparable to Waldorf's small, affordable, character-focused residential positioning and private independent governance.
- Upper Iowa University: Private Iowa-based university with a strong online and residential presence targeting working adults and traditional students. Direct geographic and modality peer to Waldorf, including similar workforce-friendly online degree catalog.
- Graceland University: Private liberal arts university in Lamoni, Iowa offering online and residential programs with a niche in workforce-aligned degrees. Comparable private Midwestern institution with a dual-modality delivery model.
- Columbia Southern University: Online-focused private university with notable overlap to Waldorf in Occupational Safety, Fire Science, Business, and military-friendly programs. Direct competitor for the same adult-learner and public-safety segments.
- Saint Leo University: Private Catholic university with one of the largest online programs serving military and adult learners. Comparable size and modality mix to Waldorf with similar workforce- and military-aligned niches.
- National University: Private nonprofit university offering year-round, online, and hybrid programs with workforce and military alignment. Comparable to Waldorf in adult-learner focus, online catalog breadth, and military partnerships.
Broad incumbents
- Grand Canyon University: Large private university with a substantial online division offering certificates through doctoral degrees. While far larger, GCU competes with Waldorf for online adult learners in business, education, and healthcare programs.
- Western Governors University: Non-profit, competency-based online university serving working adults with career-aligned degree programs. A scaled competitor in the online adult-learner market that competes with Waldorf's online catalog.
- Southern New Hampshire University: Large private university with one of the largest online enrollments in the U.S., targeting working adults and military students. Directly overlaps with Waldorf's online adult-learner and military segments.
- Purdue Global: Purdue's online university for working adults and military-affiliated learners with strong workforce alignment. Comparable to Waldorf in adult-learner, military, and employer-sponsored online positioning.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Waldorf University social profiles
Digital presenceWaldorf University financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Waldorf University leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles16 records
Waldorf University funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Waldorf University M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Waldorf University
What does Waldorf University do?
Waldorf University is a private higher education institution that delivers over 120 fully online certificate, associate, bachelor's, and master's degree programs alongside traditional residential on-campus programs at its Forest City, Iowa campus. The institution targets traditional undergraduates, working adults, military service members, transfer students, and employees of partner organizations through flexible online and residential modalities, supported by an extensive portfolio of scholarships and workforce partnership discounts.
Is Waldorf University a public or private company?
Waldorf University is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Waldorf University founded?
Waldorf University was founded in 1903. It employs 101 to 250 people.
Where is Waldorf University based?
Waldorf University is headquartered in Forest City, United States, in the North America region.
How does Waldorf University make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Tuition - Residential Programs are the primary driver. The others are tuition - Online Programs, financial Aid Processing and athletics Revenue.
Who are Waldorf University's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are College of the Ozarks, Upper Iowa University, Graceland University, Columbia Southern University, Saint Leo University and National University. Broad incumbents are Grand Canyon University, Western Governors University, Southern New Hampshire University and Purdue Global.
Does Waldorf University have an API?
No public API is recorded for Waldorf University.
What industry is Waldorf University in?
Waldorf University's product category is Higher Education. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EDAHADAB, Private/Independent Community & Junior Colleges, with a secondary code of EDAHALAC, Online Community Colleges (2-Year, Degree/Transfer). Its NAICS code is 6113 and its SIC code is 8200.