Overview
Enrollment
| Location | Waverly, Iowa |
| Online | wartburg.edu |
| School Type | Private 4 Year |
| Setting | Distant Town |
| Religious Affiliation | Evangelical Lutheran Church |
| Size | Small |
| Status | Non-profit |
| On Campus Housing | Yes |
| Level of Study | Undergrad |
Wartburg College, located in Waverly, Iowa, is a private Lutheran liberal arts institution situated approximately 20 miles northeast of Waterloo-Cedar Falls. Founded in 1852 by German immigrants, the college maintains its historical ties to the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America while operating on a modern 118-acre campus featuring both traditional and contemporary architecture. The college offers more than 50 academic programs, with notable strengths in music, education, business, and the sciences, while maintaining selective admission standards. Wartburg operates on a 4-4-1 academic calendar, with students typically residing in one of the college's seven residence halls, and competes in NCAA Division III athletics as the Knights, particularly recognized for its wrestling program which has earned multiple national championships. The campus community is characterized by its residential nature, with most students living on campus all four years.
Ratings
Overall
Academics
Resources
Outcomes
Value
Wartburg College is rated within the top 49% of four-year colleges nationally and earns a CollegeSimply grade of 6 out of 10. Learn how ratings are calculated
Rankings
Rankings for Wartburg College within the 2025 CollegeSimply Best Colleges Lists.
#577 in Best Colleges in the U.S.
#395 in Best Private Colleges in the U.S.
#14 in Best Colleges in Iowa
#11 in Best Private Colleges in Iowa
#333 in Best Value Colleges in the U.S.
#11 in Best Value Colleges in Iowa
View the CollegeSimply ranking methodology.
Getting In
Admission Standards
| SAT | 978/1235 |
| ACT | 19/27 |
| GPA | 3.48 |
Applications Accepted
| Applications Due | - |
| Applicant Competition | Very Low |
| Application Fee | $0 |
Annual Cost to Attend
Tuition
| Fee | Cost |
|---|---|
| Books and Supplies | $1,100 |
| Other Fees | $2,550 |
| Room and Board | $11,062 |
| Budget for Other Expenses | $1,300 |
| Total One Year Cost | $64,502 |
Outcomes
Average Salary After 10 Years
Bachelor's Degree Graduation Rate
Popular Areas of Study
| Subject | Percent of Class |
|---|---|
| Business | 21% |
| Education | 15% |
| Biology | 15% |
| Communication | 9% |
| Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies | 5% |
Other Colleges to Consider
Students considering Wartburg College are frequently interested in these similar colleges.
Primary data source, U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=154527 IPEDS survey data for Wartburg College.
Current students may use the Wartburg College GPA calculator to determine their current college GPA.
Last updated February 24, 2025