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Luther College

Decorah, IA·Private nonprofit·1,379 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. generous financial aid cuts net price well below sticker.

72%
Accept
1,379
Students
$23,097
Net Price
71%
Grad Rate
$53,200
Earnings
10 yr
$27,000
Debt

About This School

Luther College is a private nonprofit institution located in Decorah, Iowa with approximately 1,379 undergraduate students enrolled. Luther College has an open or accessible admissions process, with an acceptance rate of 72%. The average net price after financial aid is $23,097 per year. The graduation rate is 71%, 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
Religious Affiliation
Evangelical Free Church of America
Avg Faculty Salary
$8,115

Popular Programs

Health Professions17%
Visual & Performing Arts12%
Business & Marketing11%
Biological Sciences10%
Social Sciences6%
Computer Science5%
Education4%
Psychology3%

Percentage of degrees awarded. Source: College Scorecard.

Notable Alumni

Dagfinn HøybråtenDuane HansonCallista GingrichMatthew BuscheNorman BrunsdaleArne Sorenson

Source: Wikidata. Used for context only.

Admissions

Test Policy: Considered but not required

SAT Scores

Average Composite1218
Reading 75th %ile668
Math 75th %ile738

ACT Scores

Midpoint Composite26

Cost & Financial Aid

In-State Tuition
$52,120
Out-of-State Tuition
$52,120
Avg Net Price
$23,097
after aid

Net Price by Family Income

Under $30k$12,517
$30–48k$12,835
$48–75k$19,351
$75–110k$22,204
$110k+$29,376

Average annual cost after grants/scholarships, by household income. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.

Financial Aid

Students receiving Pell Grants20%
Median debt at graduation$27,000

Full Cost

After Graduation

Graduation Rate
71%
within 6 years
Retention Rate
77%
freshmen returning
Earnings (10 yr)
$53,200
after enrollment
Median Debt
$27,000
at graduation

Earnings 6 Years After Enrollment, by Gender

Male graduates$39,800
Female graduates$37,500

Gap: 6% less for female graduates. National avg ~16%.

Will This School Pay Off?

Median Debt
$27,000
at graduation
Earnings (6 yr)
$38,400
after enrollment
Earnings (10 yr)
$53,200
after enrollment
Earnings-to-Debt Ratio: 2.0x

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

White71%
Black4%
Hispanic/Latino6%
Asian1%
American Indian/Alaska Native1%
International15%

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (1,379 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.
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