Waldorf University, founded in 1903 as Waldorf College, was a result of "The Great Hotel War of Forest City", a competitive battle between Forest City's two upper-class hotels, which were built at the same time. The end result was the Waldorf Hotel being left vacant after only four months of operation. The vacant hotel provided an opportunity for Rev. C.S. Salveson to create a Christian college. Waldorf started out as an academy and business college, not just a preparatory program for future pastors. From its earliest days, Waldorf viewed education sponsored by the church as essential for success in society. Since 1920, Waldorf's curriculum has evolved to reflect a liberal arts emphasis. Today almost all Waldorf students intend to earn a bachelor's degree. In the spring of 1994, Waldorf was accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools. In January 2010, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America sold the college to a subsidiary of Columbia Southern University and it became a for-profit institution. Waldorf College became Waldorf University in March 2016.
According to the 2019 U.S. News & World Report, Waldorf University is considered "less selective" and had an admissions acceptance rate of 72%. Peterson's - The Real Guide to Colleges and Universities ranked Waldorf College admission as being moderately difficult.
Academic program
Waldorf University offers associate, bachelor, and master's degree programs, as well as several undergraduate certificate options and online career-prep programs.
Waldorf University teams are known as the Warriors. The college is a member of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics, competing in the North Star Athletic Association. The Warriors formerly competed in the Midwest Collegiate Conference and Midlands Collegiate Athletic Conference. Men's sports include baseball, basketball, bowling, cross country, football, golf, ice hockey, soccer and wrestling. Women's sports include basketball, bowling, cheerleading, cross country, golf, soccer, softball, volleyball and wrestling. The Waldorf Warriors Football team represents the university in college football. The Waldorf Warriors Men's Soccer team represents the university in college soccer. They play in the North Star Athletic Association conference which is a part of the Association of Independence Institutions independent conference. Waldorf Warriors Men's Soccer are the current champions of the Association of Independence Institutions conference having beat Georgia Gwinnett College Men's Soccer in 2017 to claim their first conference title in the sport. The Waldorf University Cheerleaders are a competitive squad recognized for all-female stunting routines. The university expanded athletics in 2010 by adding men's ice hockey and women's wrestling. The ice hockey began play during the 2011–12 academic year and plays an independent schedule of club programs, as the NAIA does not currently sponsor a championship for ice hockey. The program is coached by Brett Shelanski, former head coach at Minnesota Flying Acesjunior A team. The college launched Iowa's first collegiate women's wrestling program in 2010.
