Crunch the Numbers: Undergraduate Costs
Few investments in life create more possibilities than a college degree, but the ability to pay should not be a barrier to access transformative experiences like a Wartburg education. Wartburg College recently announced The Wartburg Commitment, which ensures greater access for all students through a lower sticker price, targeted scholarship programs, and funding to support experiential education. Click here for details about the program.
What is the difference between sticker price and net price?
Sticker price is the total yearly cost of a college education, but net price is what you actually pay after scholarships and grants are factored in. Private colleges like Wartburg are more generous with financial aid dollars than lower-priced colleges. Take a look at the average net price comparisons below.
2024-25 Costs
| Tuition: | $25,000 |
| Fees: | $1,250 |
| Housing (approx) | $6,545 |
| Food (approx) | $5,205 |
| TOTAL | $38,000 |
2025-26 Costs
| Tuition: | $26,000 |
| Fees: | $1,300 |
| Housing (approx) | $6,810 |
| Food (approx) | $5,600 |
| TOTAL | $39,710 |
In the average price below, we have included federal loans and on-campus work as additional resources toward a student’s cost.
*Average Price is Direct Cost of Attendance (Tuition, Fees, Room and Board) minus financial aid package
(federal, state, and Wartburg grants and scholarships, federal loans and on-campus employment.)
Average Net Price Comparison with Similar Liberal Arts Colleges
Information based on recent data from the National Center for Education Statistics.
Many Iowa residents qualify for the Iowa Tuition Grant (ITG), which is only available if you attend a private college in Iowa and meet certain income requirements. Students who qualify for the ITG may pay less to attend Wartburg than Iowa’s state universities. See the chart below for details. These numbers only apply to Iowa residents who qualify for the Iowa Tuition Grant under the new Access to Excellence program of the Wartburg Commitment.
Wartburg vs. Average at Iowa Universities
|
|
Wartburg |
State University Average |
| Cost of Attendance Includes tuition, fees, housing, food, books, personal expenses, and transportation |
$40,850-$42,800 |
$24,114 |
| Access to Excellence Tuition covered by state, federal, institutional funding |
– $25,000 |
N/A |
| Student Employment |
-$2,500 |
-2,500 |
| Federal Pell Grant |
Included in Access to Excellence |
$0-$7,395 |
| Total Cost |
$13,350-$15,300 |
$14,219-$21,614 |
NOTE: Iowa students must live on campus to participate in the Access to Excellence program.
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