Grinnell vs. Luther- Norse

Comparable Facts

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

Grinnell College is larger than Luther- Norse based on total student enrollment (1,788 students vs. 1,384 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Grinnell vs. Luther- Norse Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Grinnell 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 Grinnell ($24,511 vs. $34,363).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Luther College are 31.5% lower than at Grinnell College ($11,530 vs. $16,842).
• Grinnell College is 30.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Luther- Norse (about $15,986 more per year; $68,106.00 vs. $52,120.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 30.7% higher at Grinnell than at Luther College (about $15,986 more per year; $68,106.00 vs. $52,120.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Luther College than at Grinnell College (100% vs. 94%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Grinnell College students is 19.9% larger than aid received by Luther College students ($49,077 vs. $40,917).

Grinnell vs. Luther- Norse Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Grinnell 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 Grinnell.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Grinnell College (1480) is 240 points higher than at Luther- Norse (1240).
• Incoming Grinnell students have a 7 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (32 vs. 25 at Luther- Norse).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Grinnell College 1410/1540; Luther College 1078/1406.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Grinnell College 31/34; Luther College 22/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Grinnell - Test optional; Luther- Norse - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Grinnell Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Grinnell students have a 0.24 point higher average high school GPA (3.89) than students at Luther- Norse (3.65).
• Luther- Norse has a higher acceptance rate (71.5%) than Grinnell (14.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 30.9% at Grinnell vs. 19.9% at Luther- Norse.

Grinnell vs. Luther- Norse Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Grinnell 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).

• Grinnell College's six-year graduation rate (88%) is higher than Luther College's (69%).
• Graduates from Grinnell College earn a median of about $9,500 more per year than Luther- Norse graduates about ten years after starting college ($59,500 vs. $50,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Grinnell College graduates have a $13,830 lower median loan debt than Luther- Norse graduates ($13,170 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Grinnell graduates have an estimated $143 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Luther- Norse graduates ($136 vs. $279).
• More Grinnell graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Luther- Norse students, three years after graduation. (87% vs. 82%)

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.