Wartburg College
Wartburg College — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Wartburg College at a Glance
Wartburg College is a private Lutheran liberal arts college in Waverly, Iowa.
1852
174 years old
$111M
$110.7 million (2025)
1,563
83
118 acres
Identity
Is Wartburg College Worth It?
At a value score of 28/100, Wartburg College is a below-average value relative to its cost. Graduates earn $56,201 — 4% above average — while paying $32,908/year. Consider alternatives with better earnings-to-cost ratios.
With a 2.3-year payback period, most graduates recoup their total cost of attendance relatively quickly.
The 66% graduation rate means roughly 34% of students leave without a degree — taking on debt without the earnings boost that completion brings.
Bottom line: consider whether the specific program you're interested in at Wartburg College has outcomes that justify the cost — the institution-wide numbers suggest caution.
How Wartburg College compares to peer private nonprofit colleges of similar tier in IA
Ranked #110 of 170 on value score. Peers are matched by size, median earnings, SAT, and admission rate — not just geography.
| Rank | College | Value | Net price / yr | Median earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Andrews University | 73 | $12,547 | $53,187 |
| #2 | Albion College | 61 | $14,301 | $58,799 |
| #3 | Canisius University | 58 | $17,940 | $60,681 |
| #4 | Clarkson College | 57 | $19,241 | $64,876 |
| #5 | Goldey-Beacom College | 56 | $15,554 | $59,892 |
| #6 | Ursuline College | 53 | $16,164 | $56,878 |
| #110 | Wartburg College | 28 | $32,908 | $56,201 |
Peer group: private nonprofit colleges within ±60% of Wartburg College's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 8 in IA.
Best Programs at Wartburg College
The highest-earning program at Wartburg College is Accounting and Related Services at $53,600/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Social Work at $26,100/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Accounting and Related Services graduate from Wartburg College earns $53,600, while a Social Work graduate earns $26,100. That's more than a 2× difference from the same institution. Choose your program carefully — it's the single biggest lever you control.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $32,908/yr net price × 4 years
Earnings Premium
vs. national average of $53,787/yr
Payback Period
Time to recoup the total cost through higher earnings
10-Year Net Gain
Median earnings over 10 years minus total cost of attendance
Programs & Earnings by Major
Graduate earnings data by field of study (4 years after graduation):
| Major | Earnings (4yr) | Earnings (1yr) | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accounting and Related Services | $53,600 | $53,600 | N/A |
| Business/Commerce, General | $41,600 | $41,600 | $27,000 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas | $39,800 | $39,800 | $26,500 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $38,500 | $38,500 | $27,000 |
| Communication and Media Studies | $33,700 | $33,700 | $27,000 |
| Biology, General | $31,500 | $31,500 | $27,000 |
| Social Work | $26,100 | $26,100 | $27,000 |
Similar Colleges in IA
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- private
- Location
- Waverly, IA
- Student Body
- 1,452 students
- Admission Rate
- 76%
- Graduation Rate
- 66%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $32,908
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $56,201
- Median Student Debt
- $27,000