Central College vs. Luther- Norse

Comparable Facts

Compare Central College in Pella, IA with Luther College in Decorah, IA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Luther College is larger than Central College based on total student enrollment (1,384 students vs. 1,084 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Central College is located in Pella, IA (Distant Town setting); Luther College is in Decorah, IA (Remote Town setting).
• Central College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Luther College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Central College 11:1; Luther College 9:1.

Central College vs. Luther- Norse Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Central College or Luther- Norse? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Central College than Luther- Norse ($23,848 vs. $24,511).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Luther College are 4.4% lower than at Central College ($11,530 vs. $12,060).
• Luther College is 148.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Central College (about $31,132 more per year; $52,120.00 vs. $20,988.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 148.3% higher at Luther- Norse than at Central College (about $31,132 more per year; $52,120.00 vs. $20,988.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Central College as at Luther College (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Luther College students is 193.8% larger than aid received by Central College students ($40,917 vs. $13,925).

Central College vs. Luther- Norse Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Central College or Luther- Norse? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Luther- Norse and Central College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Luther College (1240) is 150 points higher than at Central College (1090).
• Incoming Luther- Norse students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (25 vs. 23 at Central College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Central College 1056/1120; Luther College 1078/1406.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Central College 20/26; Luther College 22/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Central College - Test optional; Luther- Norse - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Luther- Norse students have a 0.13 point higher average high school GPA (3.65) than students at Central College (3.52).
• Central College has a higher acceptance rate (86.2%) than Luther- Norse (71.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 21% at Central College vs. 19.9% at Luther- Norse.

Central College vs. Luther- Norse Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Central College and Luther- Norse? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Luther College's six-year graduation rate (69%) is higher than Central College's (63%).
• Graduates from Luther College earn a median of about $2,000 more per year than Central College graduates about ten years after starting college ($50,000 vs. $48,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Luther College and Central College graduates have the same median loan debt ($27,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers in the federal data, Luther College and Central College graduates have the same median monthly federal student loan payment ($279 vs. $279).
• More Luther- Norse graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Central College students, three years after graduation. (82% vs. 78%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.