At $22,604/yr net price, Wartburg College graduates earn $56,201/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $22,201/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $22,604 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $90,416 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $56,201/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$22,201/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 4.1 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 66.8% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $27,000 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $16,146/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $16,390/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $19,521/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $22,654/yr |
| $110,001+ | $26,429/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engineering Science. | Bachelor | $58,221 | |
| Accounting and Related Services. | Bachelor | $55,286 | $26,818 |
| Business/Commerce, General. | Bachelor | $47,595 | $27,000 |
| Mathematics. | Bachelor | $42,682 | |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas. | Bachelor | $41,193 | $27,000 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods. | Bachelor | $38,829 | $25,571 |
| Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions. | Bachelor | $37,208 | |
| Communication and Media Studies. | Bachelor | $35,546 | $26,750 |
| Psychology, General. | Bachelor | $33,993 | $25,125 |
| Biology, General. | Bachelor | $30,771 | $27,000 |
The Risk Factor
66.8% of students at Wartburg College graduate within 6 years. A significant share of students finish, but roughly 33% do not complete their degree.
Analysis
Wartburg's financial return is mixed. You'll pay a net price in the low twenties and leave with median earnings near $56,000 ten years out, which covers your debt but doesn't put you far ahead. A 67% graduation rate is the bigger concern: one in three students who start here doesn't finish, and dropping out with debt and no degree is the worst outcome on the table.
Your major decides everything here. Engineering science and accounting graduates clear $55,000, and accounting does it while keeping debt just under the school median of $27,000. Business sits lower around $47,600 for the same debt load. Math and teacher education are the weak spots, landing in the low $40,000s. Teaching graduates carry the full $27,000 in debt against the lowest earnings of any listed program, so that path pays back slowly.
The risk specific to Wartburg is finishing. With an 80% retention rate, most first-years return, but the gap between that and the 67% grad rate means students leave in later years. Iowa's regional job market favors the accounting and business pipelines this school feeds, which helps those degrees pay off close to home.
This school fits you if you're headed into accounting, engineering science, or business and expect to graduate on time. If you want to teach or major in math, run the numbers first, because the earnings won't outrun the debt quickly.
On price, families earning under $48,000 pay around $16,000 a year, well below sticker. Above $110,000, you pay over $26,000. The jump between the $48-75k and $75-110k tiers is the steepest, so a middle income here costs you noticeably more without much aid cushion.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Wartburg College worth the cost for the average student?
With graduates earning $56,201 ten years after enrollment and median debt of $27,000, Wartburg College offers reasonable value for most students. The net price of $22,604 per year is manageable compared to many private colleges, though the 67% graduation rate means one in three students don't finish.
What are the highest paying majors at Wartburg College?
Engineering Science leads at $58,221 annually, followed by Accounting at $55,286. Business majors earn $47,595 while education majors start at $41,193, reflecting typical teacher salary limitations in Iowa.
How much debt do Wartburg College graduates typically have?
The median debt load is $27,000, which is manageable given graduate earnings of $56,201. This debt-to-income ratio puts most graduates in a position to repay loans without financial hardship.
Does Wartburg College have good job placement after graduation?
With a 97% acceptance rate and 67% graduation rate, Wartburg accepts nearly everyone but struggles to graduate all students. The school's graduate earnings of $56,201 are solid for Iowa, particularly in engineering and accounting fields.