Luther College
About Luther College
Overview, location, and what makes it stand out
Luther College is a private liberal arts college in Decorah, Iowa. It offers programs in music, biology, nursing, and business, with a Norwegian Lutheran heritage, beautiful bluff-top campus, and high study-abroad participation.
Founded
1861
Location
Decorah, Iowa
Students
1,379
Institution
Private
Known For
Key Stats
A quick snapshot of what matters most
Acceptance Rate
71.5%
Moderately selective
Graduation Rate
71.1%
Near national average
Tuition
$52,120
Per year
Avg Net Price
$23,097
After financial aid
SAT Average
1218
Out of 1600
Median Earnings
$59,850
10 years after enrollment
Admissions
How competitive is getting in?
Selectivity
Selective
71.5 out of 100 applicants get in
How to Apply
Test Policy
Test Optional
Application Fee
Free
Early
N/A
Deadline
Rolling
Luther College accepts 71.5% of applicants and doesn't require standardized tests. Focus on your grades and personal statement, and you have a solid chance.
SAT Scores
1218/ 1600
ACT Scores
26/ 36
Academics
How strong is the academic experience?
Student Success
Above Average
71.1% complete their degree within six years
Retention
77%
4-Year Grad
66%
6-Year Grad
73%
Teaching Quality
11:1
Student-Faculty Ratio
Full-Time
87.7%
$/Student
$17.2K
Class Size
Medium
66% of students graduate on time, and 87.7% of courses are taught by full-time faculty. That personal instruction helps keep students on track.
Tuition & Costs
What will you actually pay?
Tuition & Fees
$52,120
Annual Tuition
Tuition and mandatory fees only, does not include housing or meals
Room & Board
$11,530
Books & Supplies
$1,040
Total Cost of Attendance
$65,461
After Financial Aid
$23,097
Average Net Price
Average amount students actually pay after grants and scholarships
Net Price (family income <$30K)
$12,517
Receive Grants
20.4%
Take Loans
64.8%
Don't let the $52,120 sticker price scare you. Most students pay around $23,097 after financial aid, a 56% discount. Families earning under $30K pay closer to $12,517.
Financial Aid
Who gets aid and what happens after
Financial aid comes in two forms: grants and scholarships (free money you don't repay) and loans (borrowed money you pay back after graduating). Here's how students at Luther College fund their education.
While in School
20.4%
Get Grants
Free money
64.8%
Take Loans
Must repay
$92,364
Median Family Income
After Graduation
$27,000
Median Debt at Graduation
Total federal loan balance when students graduate
$286/mo
Monthly Payment
0%
LowDefault Rate
The $27,000 median debt is above average, but graduates earn $60K within ten years. The numbers suggest the investment pays off for most students.
Student Body
Diversity, gender, and enrollment
From gender balance and racial diversity to age and background, here's a look at who attends Luther College.
Gender
52.1%
Female
48%
Male
Female to Male Ratio
Race & Ethnicity
Enrollment
1,379
Undergraduate Students
Student Profile
N/A
Graduates
12.8%
First-Gen
19 yrs
Avg Age
0.5%
Age 25+
The campus has a balanced gender split (52% women, 48% men). 14.8% international students bring global perspectives to campus life.
Campus Life
What it's like to be a student here
Campus Setting
Town: Remote
Campus Quick Facts
1,379
Students
private
Institution
Small
Campus Size
Liberal Arts
Classification
What This College Offers
4-1-4 calendar
Study Abroad
Yes
AP Credit
No
Teacher Cert
Yes
ROTC
No
Evening College
No
Online Programs
Yes
Job Placement
No
Career Counseling
Yes
Sports & Athletics
How seriously this college takes sport
Luther College fields 12 varsity teams with 650 student athletes, about 47% of the student body.
Division
NCAA
Division III with football
Conference
American Rivers
The league its teams compete in
Varsity Sports
12
Biggest: Track & Cross Country
Student Athletes
650
47% of the student body
Athletes by Gender
65% / 35%
422
Men
228
Women
10
Men's Teams
9
Women's Teams
Biggest Teams
Every Varsity Team
After Graduation
What can you earn with this degree?
How much do graduates of Luther Collegeearn, and what do they study? Here's a look at outcomes and popular programs.
Earnings Trajectory
$59,850
Median Earnings · 10 Years After
Popular Programs
Top 6Biology, General
$29K
37 grads
1yr Earnings
Music
$45K
33 grads
1yr Earnings
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing
$76K
31 grads
1yr Earnings
Business Administration, Management and Operations
$49K
31 grads
1yr Earnings
Research and Experimental Psychology
—
23 grads
English Language and Literature, General
$38K
22 grads
1yr Earnings
Graduates earn about $50K six years out, growing to $60K by year ten. Above average, though your choice of major will be the biggest factor.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Luther College
What is the acceptance rate at Luther College?▾
How much does Luther College cost?▾
What is the graduation rate at Luther College?▾
How much do Luther College graduates earn?▾
Data sourced from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard Some figures may reflect prior academic years. Our editorial team reviews and updates college profiles to ensure accuracy. If you notice outdated information, please let us know.