At $21,683/yr net price, Waldorf University graduates earn $51,165/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $17,165/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $21,683 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $86,732 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $51,165/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$17,165/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 5.1 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 29.0% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $18,752 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $19,354/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $19,450/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $23,887/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $24,358/yr |
| $110,001+ | $24,590/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fire Protection. | Bachelor | $74,200 | $18,750 |
| Human Resources Management and Services. | Bachelor | $58,390 | $28,125 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Master | $38,289 | $32,862 |
| Business/Commerce, General. | Bachelor | $37,208 | $21,535 |
| Psychology, General. | Bachelor | $35,954 | $20,637 |
The Risk Factor
29.0% of students at Waldorf University graduate within 6 years. Fewer than half of students complete their degree. If you don't graduate, the financial investment may not pay off.
Analysis
Waldorf University's financial picture is mixed and leans risky. Your median earnings ten years out sit near $51,000, which is decent for a private for-profit school with a low net price, but a 29% graduation rate and a retention rate barely above half mean the biggest financial threat here is not finishing. If you leave with debt and no degree, the earnings numbers above never apply to you.
The payoff depends heavily on your major. Fire Protection is the clear winner, paying over $74,000 with debt under $19,000. Human Resources Management pays well too, but you take on more debt to get there, so the gap in actual value is smaller than the salary suggests. Business and Psychology are the weak spots. Both land in the mid-$30,000s, below the school's own median, and Psychology graduates carry roughly $20,000 in debt for that outcome. Picking one of these majors changes your return from strong to shaky.
The net price tiers work in an unusual way here. If your family earns under $48,000, you pay around $19,400 a year, only slightly less than families earning over $110,000, who pay about $24,600. The discount for low income is small, so budget carefully at every income level.
You are a good fit if you are aiming at Fire Protection or a specific career-focused program and you are confident you will finish. Look elsewhere if you are undecided, drawn to Business or Psychology, or unsure about sticking around, since half of students do not return after year one and the price is the same whether you graduate or not.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Waldorf University worth the cost?
Waldorf University's ROI depends heavily on your major, with fire protection graduates earning $74,200 while psychology majors average $35,954. The 29% graduation rate is concerning and significantly below national averages.
What are the best paying majors at Waldorf University?
Fire protection offers the strongest ROI at Waldorf University with $74,200 average earnings, followed by human resources management at $58,390. Business and psychology majors see much lower returns relative to the cost.
How much debt do Waldorf University students graduate with?
Waldorf University graduates have a median debt of $18,752, which is relatively manageable compared to many private schools. However, the low 29% graduation rate means many students may leave with debt but no degree.
What is the graduation rate at Waldorf University?
Only 29% of students graduate from Waldorf University within six years. This extremely low completion rate makes it a high-risk investment for most students.