Luther College is a private nonprofit institution offering bachelor's degrees based in Decorah, Iowa. It enrolls 1,379 students (a small, tight-knit student body), according to IPEDS 2023-24 data. Below you'll find verified data on admissions, cost, student outcomes, programs offered, and what graduates typically earn, all pulled from the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard and IPEDS.
US College Data scores each college on four pillars (outcomes, value, affordability, and selectivity) on a 0–100 scale, ranked within its peer group (4-Year Selective). Scores are calculated from verified College Scorecard and IPEDS data, not opinion or paid placement. Where data is missing, that pillar isn't scored.
Good
66/100
UCD Score · 4-Year Selective
Outcomes67
Value46
Affordability28
Selectivity62
Admissions & Acceptance Rate
With an acceptance rate of 71.5%, Luther College is moderately selective.
Acceptance Rate
71.5%
Moderate
SAT Range (25th–75th)
1078 – 1406
Reading + Math combined
ACT Range (25th–75th)
22 – 29
Cumulative composite
Test PolicyNot ConsideredStandardized test scores are not used in admissions decisions.
5-Year Admission Trend
Acceptance rate over the last five admission cycles. The trend tells you whether Luther College is getting harder, easier, or staying about the same.
Becoming less selective ↑
11.0 pts
since 2019
Cost & Financial Aid
The real cost of attending Luther College isn't the sticker price. It's the net price,which is what most students actually pay after grants and scholarships. According to College Scorecard 2023-24 data, the average net price is $23,097 per year. That's in line with the typical net price for private nonprofit colleges nationally.
Average Net Price
$23,097
Per year, after typical aid
Receive Pell Grants
20%
Need-based federal aid
Receive Federal Loans
65%
Borrowing to attend
Full Cost Breakdown
Published cost of attendance, the sticker price before grants and scholarships. Most students underestimate room & board and other expenses.
Tuition & Fees
$52,120
Room & Board (on-campus)
$11,530
Room & Board (off-campus)
$11,530
Books & Supplies
$1,040
Other Expenses (on-campus)
$3,015
Other Expenses (off-campus)
$3,015
Total Cost of Attendance
$65,461
Net Price by Family Income
Aid is need-based, so net price varies by family income. Here's what each bracket typically pays after grants and scholarships.
Under $30,000
$12,517
$30,001 – $48,000
$12,835
$48,001 – $75,000
$19,351
$75,001 – $110,000
$22,204
Over $110,000
$29,376
Debt at Graduation
Cumulative federal-loan debt across the full borrowing distribution. The 10th and 90th percentiles bracket the typical range; the median sits in the middle.
$5,50010%percentile
$12,75025%percentile
$27,000Medianpercentile
$30,00075%percentile
$32,85790%percentile
Median Debt by Student Type
Median federal-loan debt at graduation broken down by demographic. Each slice's size is proportional to the dollar amount that group typically borrows.
GroupDebtvs Median
Pell recipients $23,838
↓ $3,162
No Pell $21,000
↓ $6,000
Female students $23,250
↓ $3,750
Male students $21,000
↓ $6,000
Worth knowing:
Students who don't finish leave with a median debt of $6,557, less than completers ($27,000), but still a meaningful obligation without a degree in hand.
Graduation Rate & Retention
72% of full-time students who enrolled at Luther College graduate within six years, and 78% return for their second year, per IPEDS 2023-24 completion data.
6-Year Graduation Rate
72%
Of students who graduate within six years
First-Year Retention
78%
Returning for their second year
After Graduation: Earnings & Outcomes
According to College Scorecard 2023-24 data, students who entered Luther College earn a median of $59,850 ten years after first enrolling. That's above the national median for U.S. colleges.
Median Earnings (10 yrs)
$59,850
Earning > $25K
88%
10 yrs after entry
Earnings Growth After Graduation
Median annual earnings 6, 8, and 10 years after students first enrolled.
Earnings by Demographic
Mean annual earnings 10 years after entry, segmented by demographic. Reveals gaps the headline median can't show.
By Gender
Female graduates
$46,700
Median earnings for female grads ten years after first enrolling here.
Male graduates
$61,700
Median earnings for male grads ten years after first enrolling here.
By Family Income at Entry
Family income (lowest third)
$48,200
Earnings of grads from the bottom-third of family incomes at entry.
Family income (middle third)
$49,400
Earnings of grads from the middle-third of family incomes at entry.
Family income (highest third)
$55,400
Earnings of grads from the top-third of family incomes at entry.
The gender gap:
Male graduates earn $15,000, about 24% more than female graduates ten years out. The gap reflects industry mix, role choice, and structural pay differences that exist across most US colleges.
Loan Repayment Progression
Share of completer-cohort borrowers paying down at least $1 of principal at the 1-, 3-, 5-, and 7-year mark. Climbing rates show graduates settling into careers and managing debt; flat or declining rates are a warning.
Climbing: graduates increasingly paying down debt ↑
7.4 pts
across 6 years
What this signals:
Excellent. 93% of graduates were paying down at least $1 of principal seven years out.
Who Studies Here
Luther College is home to 1,379 students, a small, close-knit community.
Total Enrolled
1,379
Part-Time
1%
First-Generation
13%
Race & Ethnicity Breakdown
Undergraduate student body composition reported to the US Department of Education.
GroupShareStudents
White 70.8%976
International 14.8%204
Hispanic 6.4%88
Black 4.4%61
Asian 1.2%17
Other 0.9%12
Student Life & Campus Culture
Where students live, learn, and connect at Luther College. The campus setting, housing profile, and signals that shape day-to-day life here.
Setting
Town: RemoteDecorah, Iowa
Housing
Strongly residential2,156 beds for 1,379 students
Adult Learners
0%of students are 25 or older
Athletics
NCAAathletic-conference member
Academic Calendar
4-1-4 Planscheduling structure
Designation
Religiously affiliated
What You Can Study
Luther College offers
a varied set of programs:
35 distinct programs across
19 majors.
Below are its strongest majors, each with flagship programs and typical earnings.
Open a major to explore it in depth, or browse the full program catalog.
The student-to-faculty ratio at Luther College is 10:1, low (small classes, more faculty contact).
Student : Faculty
10:1
Students per instructional faculty member
Endowment
$267M
Solid financial position
Avg Faculty Salary
$73,437
9-month equivalent across all ranks
Faculty by Rank
137 instructional faculty across 4 ranks.
The rank mix shows how many senior faculty are teaching versus contingent or junior staff, with average salary equated to a 9-month contract.
Rank
Faculty Count
Share
Avg Salary
Full Professors
58
42%
$83,267
Associate Professors
50
36%
$71,268
Assistant Professors
23
17%
$58,371
Instructors
6
4%
$54,256
Pros & Cons of Luther College
A quick at-a-glance summary of how Luther College tends to stack up for prospective students,weighing its data, size, setting, and cost profile together.
PROS
Small classes (low student-faculty ratio)
Tight-knit, close community feel
Above-average graduation rate
Solid post-graduation earnings
CONS
Above-average net price
Fewer clubs, activities, and social options
High published cost of attendance before aid
Predominantly serves middle- and upper-income families
No graduate programs offered at this institution
Best for:
Based on the data, Luther College is a fit for
students who thrive in small, close-knit environments.
Frequently Asked Questions about Luther College
Quick answers to the questions most students and parents ask. Every answer below is calculated from verified government data about Luther College.
Is Luther College hard to get into?
Admissions at Luther College are moderately competitive. The acceptance rate is 71.5%, so most applicants who meet the academic minimums are admitted.
What is the acceptance rate at Luther College?
Luther College has an acceptance rate of 71.5%, according to College Scorecard 2023-24 admissions data.
What SAT score do you need for Luther College?
The middle 50% of admitted students at Luther College scored between 1078 and 1406 on the SAT (Reading + Math combined). Scores at the higher end of that range improve admissions odds materially. Per IPEDS 2023-24 data.
What ACT score do you need for Luther College?
The middle 50% of admitted students at Luther College scored between 22 and 29 on the ACT composite. Scores in the upper half of that range strengthen an application. Source: IPEDS 2023-24.
How much does Luther College cost?
The average net price after aid at Luther College is $23,097 per year, this is what students typically pay after grants and scholarships are applied. Net price data: College Scorecard 2023-24.
Is Luther College worth it?
Moderate return on investment. Graduates earn a median of $59,850 ten years after entering, against an average net price of $23,097 per year. That's roughly 2.6x earnings-to-cost. Source: College Scorecard 2023-24.
What is Luther College known for?
Luther College is best known for its programs in Biology, Music, Nursing. These are the most popular fields by completed degrees, per IPEDS 2023-24 completion data.
What do Luther College graduates earn?
Median earnings 10 years after entering Luther College are $59,850, based on College Scorecard 2023-24 federal earnings data for Title IV recipients.
Is Luther College accredited?
Yes. Luther College is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
How many students attend Luther College?
Luther College enrolls 1,379 students, per IPEDS 2023-24 fall enrollment data.
What is the graduation rate at Luther College?
Luther College graduates 72% of full-time students within six years, per IPEDS 2023-24 completion data.
Is Luther College a public or private college?
Luther College is a Private Nonprofit institution.
Where is Luther College located?
Luther College is located in Decorah, Iowa.
What programs does Luther College offer?
Luther College offers 35 distinct programs. The most popular include Biology, Music, Nursing.
What is the student-to-faculty ratio at Luther College?
The student-to-faculty ratio at Luther College is 10:1, per IPEDS 2023-24 data.
Related Colleges in Iowa
Other colleges in Iowa share the same applicant pool, regional economy, and academic landscape. Comparing nearby options puts admissions, costs, and outcomes in context, useful when weighing your fit against local alternatives.
Special Education
Business Administration
Teacher Education (K-12)
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