Waldorf University

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.

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

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

• Online higher education
• Residential college programs
• Online degree programs
• Private university education
• Military education programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Forest City

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. Financial Aid Processing: University participates in federal student aid programs, state grants, and manages private alternative loans through a network of lenders.
4. Athletics Revenue: On-campus athletics programs (soccer, volleyball, football) may generate revenue through tickets, merchandise, and recruiting.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core 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

Named customers6 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

14 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• Workforce Advantage Partners (multiple employers and associations)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerExtensive 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)majorGTM or Marketing PartnerPartnership with AFSA providing several scholarships to AFSA members. Dedicated to supporting military enlisted members and their families.
• New York City Fire Department (FDNY)majorGTM or Marketing PartnerTwo 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 FoundationminorGTM or Marketing PartnerAnnual 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 FutureminorGTM or Marketing PartnerScholarship 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)majorGTM or Marketing PartnerAnnual 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)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerPartnership 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)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerPartnership 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 AmericaminorGTM or Marketing PartnerMembership in Scholarships America Tuition Reduction Network providing discounts on tuition rates to Scholarships America consumers.
• U.S. Navy Nurse Candidate ProgramminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPartnership 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 AirlinesminorGTM or Marketing PartnerDelta 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 FoundationminorGTM or Marketing PartnerScholarship 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 AssociationminorGTM or Marketing PartnerAnnual 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 863minorGTM or Marketing PartnerPartnership providing Newton Fire Department firefighters access to higher education through an annual scholarship.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct 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

• Xx.com/waldorf_u
• Facebookfacebook.com/5786028811

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles16 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Waldorf University