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Luther College

Luther Norse

Decorah, Iowa 52101-1045

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Data last updated: May 29, 2026

Campus Vibe

Tight-knitCollege townGreek life

Known for health sciences — close-knit campus

Luther College is a private institution in Decorah with particular strength in health sciences and biology. With an average SAT of 1238, the school attracts a broad applicant pool.

A small campus of 1.5K undergraduates with a 10:1 student-faculty ratio. The town location creates a classic college-town feel.

75% of students graduate within four years, and graduates earn a median of $59,850 a decade after enrollment. Net price after aid averages $25,635.

Established
1861
Motto
Soli Deo Gloria
Type
Private college

Campus Visits

46 upcoming visits · Next: Fri, May 29 · Campus Tour
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73%Acceptance
1238SAT Avg
1,454Students
10:1Student:Faculty
75%Grad Rate
$59,850Earnings 10yr
$25,635Net Price

Admissions

Acceptance Rate73.3%

SAT Score Ranges

Average: 1238

Reading & WritingMid: 579
550650
MathMid: 624
548668

ACT Score Range

CompositeMid: 26
2229

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard / IPEDS.

Cost & Financial Aid

Sticker Price

Tuition$50,320
Room & Board$11,180
Books & Supplies$1,040
Total Cost of Attendance$62,845
Average Net Price$25,635
Median Debt at Graduation$27,000
Monthly Payment (10yr)$286

Net Price by Family Income

$0–30K$16,937
$30–48K$17,977
$48–75K$22,180
$75–110K$25,995
$110K+$31,047

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Net price reflects most recent cohort of federally-aided undergraduates.

Debt & Aid Detail

Net Price Trend

Tuition Trend

Graduate w/ Zero Debt

40.0%

Avg Tuition Increase

4.1%/yr

Median Debt at Grad

$22,200

Campus Safety

Total Incidents (2024)

9

Peer Average

13

3-Year Trend

Emergency System

Campus security, emergency notification system

Incident Breakdown (2024)

2

Burglary

0

Aggravated Assault

0

Robbery

1

Motor Vehicle Theft

1

Sex Offenses

0

Arson

3

Drug Arrests

2

Liquor Arrests

Source: U.S. Department of Education Campus Safety & Security data (Clery Act, 2024 reporting year).

Programs (43)

Student Life

Student Satisfaction

Retention Rate

79%

Mixed

Student Body

Undergrads
1,454
Gender Split
54% / 46%
Women / Men
First Generation
13%
Pell Grant Recipients
19%

Race & Ethnicity

White 73%
Black 4%
Hispanic 7%
Asian 2%
Int'l 13%

Outcomes

4-Year Graduation Rate75.0%
Freshman Retention79.3%

Median Earnings After Graduation

6 Years$49,541
10 Years$59,850

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Earnings reflect federally-aided students 6 and 10 years after entry.

Rankings

U.S. News
#61
—
vs 2024

More About This School

Varsity Sports — Iowa Intercollegiate

Intercollegiate athletic

History & Fun Facts

  • •History On October 10, 1857, the Norwegian Evangelical Lutheran Church (NELC) created a seminary to supply ministers for Norwegian congregations in the Upper Midwest.
  • •Until the seminary was established in 1861, students studied at Concordia Seminary in St.
  • •On October 14, 1859, Peter Laurentius Larsen was appointed professor to the Norwegian students at Concordia by the NELC.
  • •On September 1, 1861, classes officially began with an enrollment of 16.
  • •The following year classes moved to Decorah, Iowa, with NELC pastor Ulrik Vilhelm Koren successfully arranging the college's relocation and permanent settlement.

Source: Wikipedia

Location & Lifestyle

Cost of Living

89Low

Estimated from IA state average

Climate (School Year)

Snowfall: 60"Sunny days: 200Rainy days: 125

Nearest Cities

Minneapolispop. 430K
136 mi(236 min)
Milwaukeepop. 570K
197 mi(341 min)
Chicagopop. 2.7M
234 mi(406 min)

Getting There

Nearest Airports

MSP Minneapolis-St Paul129 mi
MKE Milwaukee199 mi
ORD Chicago O'Hare218 mi

Distance to Cities

Boston, MA1050 mi · ~30h 20m drive
New York, NY929 mi · ~26h 50m drive
Hartford, CT978 mi · ~28h 15m drive
Providence, RI1040 mi · ~30h 3m drive
Albany, NY912 mi · ~26h 21m drive
Syracuse, NY788 mi · ~22h 46m drive
Rochester, NY714 mi · ~20h 38m drive
Buffalo, NY652 mi · ~18h 50m drive
Philadelphia, PA888 mi · ~25h 39m drive
Pittsburgh, PA638 mi · ~18h 26m drive
Harrisburg, PA795 mi · ~22h 58m drive
Newark, NJ920 mi · ~26h 35m drive
Washington, DC825 mi · ~23h 50m drive
Baltimore, MD835 mi · ~24h 7m drive
Atlanta, GA772 mi · ~22h 18m drive
Charlotte, NC808 mi · ~23h 21m drive
Raleigh, NC872 mi · ~25h 11m drive
Miami, FL1378 mi · ~39h 49m drive
Orlando, FL1173 mi · ~33h 53m drive
Tampa, FL1182 mi · ~34h 9m drive
Nashville, TN561 mi · ~16h 12m drive
New Orleans, LA928 mi · ~26h 49m drive
Richmond, VA853 mi · ~24h 39m drive
Chicago, IL234 mi · ~6h 46m drive
Detroit, MI449 mi · ~12h 58m drive
Minneapolis, MN136 mi · ~3h 56m drive
St. Louis, MO334 mi · ~9h 39m drive
Kansas City, MO325 mi · ~9h 23m drive
Indianapolis, IN381 mi · ~11h drive
Columbus, OH510 mi · ~14h 44m drive
Cleveland, OH530 mi · ~15h 19m drive
Milwaukee, WI197 mi · ~5h 41m drive
Dallas, TX777 mi · ~22h 27m drive
Houston, TX957 mi · ~27h 39m drive
Austin, TX959 mi · ~27h 42m drive
San Antonio, TX1028 mi · ~29h 42m drive
Los Angeles, CA1554 mi · ~44h 54m drive
San Francisco, CA1643 mi · ~47h 28m drive
San Diego, CA1554 mi · ~44h 54m drive
Seattle, WA1499 mi · ~43h 18m drive
Portland, OR1522 mi · ~43h 58m drive
Denver, CO724 mi · ~20h 55m drive
Phoenix, AZ1287 mi · ~37h 11m drive
Salt Lake City, UT1043 mi · ~30h 8m drive
Honolulu, HI4033 mi · ~116h 31m drive
Upper Midwest / Northeast (cold winters, warm summers)

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