Cornell College vs. Luther- Norse

Comparable Facts

Compare Cornell College in Mount Vernon, 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 Cornell College based on total student enrollment (1,384 students vs. 1,094 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Cornell College is located in Mount Vernon, IA (Distant Town setting); Luther College is in Decorah, IA (Remote Town setting).
• Cornell College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Luther College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Cornell College 14:1; Luther College 9:1.

Cornell College vs. Luther- Norse Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Cornell 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 Luther College than Cornell College ($24,511 vs. $25,220).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Luther College are 2.7% lower than at Cornell College ($11,530 vs. $11,850).
• Cornell College is 1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Luther- Norse (about $540 more per year; $52,660.00 vs. $52,120.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 1% higher at Cornell College than at Luther College (about $540 more per year; $52,660.00 vs. $52,120.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Cornell College as at Luther College (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Cornell College students is 0.4% larger than aid received by Luther College students ($41,092 vs. $40,917).

Cornell College vs. Luther- Norse Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Cornell 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 Cornell College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Luther College (1240) is 40 points higher than at Cornell College (1200).
• Incoming Cornell College students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (26 vs. 25 at Luther- Norse).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Cornell College 1120/1285; Luther College 1078/1406.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Cornell College 23/30; Luther College 22/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Cornell College - Test optional; Luther- Norse - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Luther- Norse students have a 0.12 point higher average high school GPA (3.65) than students at Cornell College (3.53).
• Cornell College has a higher acceptance rate (79.9%) than Luther- Norse (71.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 14.3% at Cornell College vs. 19.9% at Luther- Norse.

Cornell College vs. Luther- Norse Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Cornell 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).

• Cornell College's six-year graduation rate (70%) is higher than Luther College's (69%).
• Graduates from Luther College earn a median of about $4,600 more per year than Cornell College graduates about ten years after starting college ($50,000 vs. $45,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Luther College and Cornell College graduates have the same median loan debt ($27,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers in the federal data, Luther College and Cornell 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 Cornell College students, three years after graduation. (82% vs. 74%)

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.