UnisHub University Compass

Luther College : Overview, Courses, Scholarships & Rankings

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About Luther College

Perched in Iowa's Driftless hills, Luther College pairs a classic liberal arts foundation with practical, hands-on learning. It's known for the arts, the sciences, and a music culture that spills into daily life. Students tap into modern labs, studios, rehearsal and performance spaces, a well-stocked library, and campus wellness resources. Advising, tutoring, counseling, and career coaching feel close at hand.

Student life leans collaborative and down to earth. You'll see ensembles, theater, student media, outdoor trips, and clubs sharing space. The college has a reputation for sustainability, community service, and traditions shaped by Nordic roots, including seasonal concerts that bring everyone together. In Decorah, trails, the river, and a lively downtown make weekends easy. Career prep centers on internships, research with faculty, and an alumni network that opens doors without a lot of fuss.

Key Institutional Details

Contact & Profile

Location
700 College Drive, Decorah, Iowa, 52101, USA
Website
luther.edu
Unit ID
153834

Academic & Institutional

Control
Private non-profit institution (tuition + donations)
Accreditation
HLC
Length of Study
Programs under 2 years (e.g. certificate or diploma)
Calendar System
4-1-4 plan (two four-month terms with a one-month term in between)
Award Levels
Bachelor's
Campus Setting
Located in a remote town (35+ miles from urbanized area)
Carnegie Classification
Baccalaureate - Arts & Sciences
Tuition & Fees
In-State
$50,320
Tuition $49,650 + Fee $670
Out-of-State
$50,320
Tuition $49,650 + Fee $670
Student Profile
Total Students 1,463
Undergraduate 1,454
Graduate/Other 9
Male: 678 Female: 785
Applications
Total Applicants 2,447
Admitted 1,793
Enrolled 352
Acceptance: 73.3% Yield: 19.6%
Staff
Total Staff 454
Full-time 338
Part-time 116
Full-time: 74.4% Part-time: 25.6%

Academic Programs & Fields of Study

Luther College offers 42 degree programs across 19 major academic fields, graduating approximately 391 students annually. The most popular fields by graduate volume are Health (3 programs, 52 graduates), Arts (5 programs, 48 graduates), Business (2 programs, 45 graduates), Biological Sciences (3 programs, 35 graduates) and Social Sciences (4 programs, 29 graduates). Explore program details, award levels, and graduate demographics below.

Health (3 programs, 52 graduates)
Healthcare Professions, Medical Sciences and Clinical Practice
Program Name Graduates Gender Distribution Award Levels CIP Code
Registered Nursing 46
Bachelor's
51.3801
International Public Health 5
Bachelor's
51.2210
Health and Wellness 1
Bachelor's
51.0001
Arts (5 programs, 48 graduates)
Fine Arts, Design Studies and Creative Performance
Program Name Graduates Gender Distribution Award Levels CIP Code
Music 17
Bachelor's
50.0901
Music Pedagogy 16
Bachelor's
50.0912
Design and Visual Communications 8
Bachelor's
50.0401
Theatre Arts 4
Bachelor's
50.0501
Art Studies 3
Bachelor's
50.0701
Business (2 programs, 45 graduates)
Business Administration, Marketing and Entrepreneurship
Program Name Graduates Gender Distribution Award Levels CIP Code
Business Administration and Management 34
Bachelor's
52.0201
Accounting 11
Bachelor's
52.0301
Biological Sciences (3 programs, 35 graduates)
Life Sciences, Biotechnology and Biomedical Research
Program Name Graduates Gender Distribution Award Levels CIP Code
Biology and Biological Sciences 28
Bachelor's
26.0101
Neuroscience 5
Bachelor's
26.1501
Infectious Disease and Global Health 2
Bachelor's
26.0509
Social Sciences (4 programs, 29 graduates)
Sociology, Anthropology and Political Science Studies
Program Name Graduates Gender Distribution Award Levels CIP Code
Political Science and Government 12
Bachelor's
45.1001
Anthropology 6
Bachelor's
45.0201
Economics 6
Bachelor's
45.0601
Sociology 5
Bachelor's
45.1101
Languages (5 programs, 24 graduates)
Foreign Languages, Literature and Linguistic Studies
Program Name Graduates Gender Distribution Award Levels CIP Code
Scandinavian Languages and Literature 11
Bachelor's
16.0502
German Language and Literature 5
Bachelor's
16.0501
Spanish Language and Literature 4
Bachelor's
16.0905
Classics and Classical Languages 3
Bachelor's
16.1200
French Language and Literature 1
Bachelor's
16.0901
Computer & IT (2 programs, 19 graduates)
Computer Science, Information Technology and Cybersecurity
Program Name Graduates Gender Distribution Award Levels CIP Code
Information Science 10
Bachelor's
11.0401
Computer Science 9
Bachelor's
11.0701
Natural Resources (1 programs, 15 graduates)
Environmental Science and Natural Resource Management
Program Name Graduates Gender Distribution Award Levels CIP Code
Environmental Studies 15
Bachelor's
03.0103
Interdisciplinary (4 programs, 15 graduates)
Cross-Disciplinary Studies and Integrated Research Programs
Program Name Graduates Gender Distribution Award Levels CIP Code
Global Studies 5
Bachelor's
30.2001
Cultural Studies and Critical Theory 4
Bachelor's
30.2601
Philosophy, Politics, and Economics 3
Bachelor's
30.5101
Multi- and Interdisciplinary Studies 3
Bachelor's
30.9999
Physical Sciences (2 programs, 15 graduates)
Chemistry, Physics and Earth Sciences Research
Program Name Graduates Gender Distribution Award Levels CIP Code
Chemistry 9
Bachelor's
40.0501
Physics 6
Bachelor's
40.0801

Admission Requirements & Test Scores

Comprehensive overview of admission criteria, standardized test score ranges, and application requirements for prospective students at Luther College.

Application Requirements

Secondary School GPA
Required
Secondary School Record
Required
Formal Demonstration of Competencies
Neither required nor recommended
English Proficiency Test (TOEFL)
Required
Standardized Test Scores
SAT Scores
The SAT is a standardized college admission test measuring reading, writing, and math skills. Scores range from 400-1600 (combined Evidence-Based Reading & Writing + Math sections).
Composite Score Range
1098 - 1318
25th-75th percentile
Evidence-Based Reading & Writing 550 - 650
Median: 610
Math 548 - 668
Median: 600
ACT Scores
The ACT is a standardized test for college admissions assessing English, math, reading, and science reasoning. Scores range from 1-36 (composite of all sections).
Composite Score Range
22 - 29
25th-75th percentile
English 21 - 29
Median: 24
Math 21 - 28
Median: 25

Data based on IPEDS for 2022-2023 academic year. Test score ranges represent the middle 50% of admitted students (25th-75th percentile). Requirements may vary by program.

Tuition, Fees & Estimated Costs

Overview of tuition rates, housing, and other annual education expenses for undergraduate and graduate students

Estimated Total Cost
(In-state)
$65,555
Estimated Total Cost
(Out-state)
$65,555
In-state Tuition (incl. fees)
$50,320
Tuition and fees for students residing in-state
Out-of-state Tuition (incl. fees)
$50,320
Tuition and fees for non-resident students
Room & Board
$11,180
Housing and meal plan expenses
Books & Supplies
$1,040
Average yearly cost of books and study materials
Other Expenses
$3,015
Miscellaneous personal and institutional expenses
Other Expenses (with family)
$3,015
Estimated cost for students living with family
Graduate In-state Tuition (incl. fees)
N/A
Graduate tuition rates for in-state students
Graduate Out-of-state Tuition (incl. fees)
N/A
Graduate tuition rates for non-resident students

Financial Aid & Student Support

Summary of scholarships, grants, student loans, and financial aid statistics for undergraduate students

25%
FTFT Aid Recipients
Avg. Grant
$38,042
Avg. Loan
$7,549
Avg. Federal Loan
$5,201
Additional
Students with Any Grant
400
Students who received any type of grant aid
Students with Any Loan
239
Students who received any type of loan-based aid
Students with Federal Grant
87
Students who received a federal grant
Avg. Institutional Grant
$35,751
Average amount of institutional grant awarded

Student Success Metrics

Graduation rates and post-graduation earnings to help assess student outcomes and long-term value of education.

75%
Graduation Rate
Percentage of students who successfully graduate from the institution
79%
First-Year Retention Rate
Percentage of first-year students who continue for a second year
Median Earnings Over Time
$42,196 – $82,716
Salary Range (25th–75th Percentile, 10 Years)
$42,196 (25th %) $82,716 (75th %)
*Median Salary After 10 Years: $59,850
Median Salary After 6 Years
$49,541
Average annual earnings of former students six years after starting college.
Median Salary After 10 Years
$59,850
Average annual earnings of former students ten years after starting college.

Loan Burden & Repayment Outcomes

Breakdown of loan repayment rates and student debt levels by income and dependency status.

3-Year Loan Repayment Rate
82.6%
Share of borrowers who repaid loans within 3 years
Repayment Rate (Graduates Only)
86.4%
Repayment rate among students who completed their program
Median Student Loan Debt
$27,000
Median federal loan debt of undergraduate completers at time of graduation.
Repayment by Income
Low 72.7%
Middle 80.6%
High 85.9%
Repayment by Dependency
Dependent 83.4%
Independent 55.6%

Frequently Asked Questions

Find answers to the most common questions about Luther College

How much does it cost to attend Luther College?

The annual tuition at Luther College is $50,320 for in-state students. When including room and board, books, and other expenses, the total estimated cost is approximately $65,555 for in-state students. Additional costs include room and board $11,180 and books and supplies $1,040.

Data based on IPEDS program completions for 2022-2023 academic year. Tuition and cost estimates are approximate and may not include all fees, personal expenses, or transportation costs.

What academic programs and degree levels does Luther College offer?

Luther College offers 42 academic programs across 19 major fields of study, with available degree levels: Bachelor's.

Most popular program areas include:

  • Healthcare Professions, Medical Sciences and Clinical Practice (3 programs)
  • Fine Arts, Design Studies and Creative Performance (5 programs)
  • Business Administration, Marketing and Entrepreneurship (2 programs)
  • Life Sciences, Biotechnology and Biomedical Research (3 programs)
  • Sociology, Anthropology and Political Science Studies (4 programs)

Data based on IPEDS program completions for 2023-2024 academic year. Numbers reflect programs where students graduated, not all offered programs.

What is the acceptance rate for Luther College?

Luther College has an 73.3% acceptance rate and a 19.6% yield rate, making it selective.

Admission statistics breakdown:

  • Total applicants: 2,447
  • Students admitted: 1,793
  • Students enrolled: 352

Data based on IPEDS for 2022-2023 academic year. Admission statistics may vary by program and application cycle.

What financial aid and scholarships are available at Luther College?

Luther College provides financial aid to 25% of first-time, full-time students, with average grants of $38,042 and average loans of $7,549.

Average financial aid amounts by type:

  • Pell grants: $4,793
  • State/Local grants: $6,626
  • Institutional grants: $35,751
  • Federal loans: $5,201

The university supports 400 students with grants and 239 students with loans annually.

Data based on IPEDS for 2022-2023 academic year. Financial aid amounts and percentages may vary by program, enrollment status, and individual circumstances.

What is the average salary for Luther College graduates?

Luther College graduates earn a median salary of $49,541 after 6 years and $59,850 after 10 years.

The salary range 10 years after graduation spans from $42,196 (25th percentile) to $82,716 (75th percentile).

Data based on IPEDS for 2022-2023 academic year. Salary data reflects graduates who received federal financial aid (approximately 60% of all graduates). Actual earnings may vary significantly based on program, location, and individual circumstances.

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