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Luther College

Decorah, IA·Private nonprofit·1,454 students
Last updated: March 22, 2026

A good fit for students who want accessible admissions and students who want small classes and close faculty access. no major red flags in the data. financial aid brings net price below sticker.

73%
Accept
1,454
Students
$25,635
Net Price
75%
Grad Rate
$53,200
Earnings
10 yr
$22,200
Debt

About This School

Luther College is a private nonprofit institution located in Decorah, Iowa with approximately 1,454 undergraduate students enrolled. Luther College has an open or accessible admissions process, with an acceptance rate of 73%. The average net price after financial aid is $25,635 per year. The graduation rate is 75%, and the typical graduate earns $53,200 within 10 years of enrollment.

Luther College is the name of several Lutheran educational institutions:

Worth considering if you're drawn to a tight-knit liberal arts environment in a small Midwestern town — the $22,200 median debt is relatively manageable, and graduates earn around $53,200 a decade out, which is a reasonable return for the price. That said, the 75% graduation rate and 79% freshman retention suggest that roughly one in four students either leaves or doesn't finish, which is worth asking the school about directly. At $25,635 per year after aid, it's not cheap for a rural Iowa college, so make sure the campus culture and academic fit are genuinely strong before committing.

Founded
1861
Setting
Remote town

Popular Programs

Visual & Performing Arts13%
Health Professions12%
Biological Sciences11%
Business & Marketing9%
Social Sciences9%
Computer Science8%
English5%
Psychology5%

Percentage of degrees awarded. Source: College Scorecard.

Notable Alumni

Dagfinn HøybråtenDuane HansonCallista GingrichMatthew BuscheNorman BrunsdaleArne Sorenson

Source: Wikidata. Used for context only.

Admissions

SAT Scores

Average Composite1238
Reading 75th %ile650
Math 75th %ile668

ACT Scores

Midpoint Composite26

Cost & Financial Aid

In-State Tuition
$50,320
Out-of-State Tuition
$50,320
Avg Net Price
$25,635
after aid

Financial Aid

Students receiving Pell Grants19%
Median debt at graduation$22,200

Full Cost

After Graduation

Graduation Rate
75%
within 6 years
Retention Rate
79%
freshmen returning
Earnings (10 yr)
$53,200
after enrollment
Median Debt
$22,200
at graduation

Will This School Pay Off?

Median Debt
$22,200
at graduation
Earnings (6 yr)
$38,400
after enrollment
Earnings (10 yr)
$53,200
after enrollment
Earnings-to-Debt Ratio: 2.4x

Solid return. Earnings outpace debt, though major choice matters.

Earnings data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. These are means across all graduates, not specific to any major.

Student Body

White73%
Black4%
Hispanic/Latino7%
Asian2%

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (1,454 undergraduates).

Contact & Location

Address

Luther College

700 College Drive

Decorah, IA 52101-1045

View on Google Maps →

Other Schools in Iowa

Browse all Iowa schools →

Sources & Methodology

Data

Primary data source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Accessed via automated sync. Latest values may come from different reporting years depending on the metric.

Contextual Enrichment

School overview from Wikipedia. Used for context only, not as a primary data source for admissions, cost, or outcomes claims.

Important Caveats
  • Earnings figures are institution-level averages, not major-specific.
  • Some metrics are based on Title IV financial aid recipients only.
  • Some values may be privacy-suppressed or rolled up by the Department of Education.
  • Contact the school directly for current admissions requirements and costs.
Trademarks

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