ISU vs. Luther- Norse

Comparable Facts

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

Iowa State University is larger than Luther- Norse based on total student enrollment (30,380 students vs. 1,384 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Iowa State University is located in Ames, IA (Small City setting); Luther College is in Decorah, IA (Remote Town setting).
• Iowa State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Luther College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Iowa State University 18:1; Luther College 9:1.

ISU vs. Luther- Norse Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, ISU 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 Iowa State University than Luther- Norse ($17,779 vs. $24,511).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Iowa State University are 6.3% lower than at Luther College ($10,808 vs. $11,530).
• Luther College is 383.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than ISU (about $41,333 more per year; $52,120.00 vs. $10,787.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 80.5% higher at Luther- Norse than at Iowa State University (about $23,239 more per year; $52,120.00 vs. $28,881.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Luther College than at Iowa State University (100% vs. 77%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Luther College students is 279.2% larger than aid received by Iowa State University students ($40,917 vs. $10,791).

ISU vs. Luther- Norse Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, ISU 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 ISU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Iowa State University (1240) is the same as at Luther- Norse (1240).
• Incoming Luther- Norse students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (25 vs. 24 at ISU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Iowa State University 1120/1360; Luther College 1078/1406.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Iowa State University 21/28; Luther College 22/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: ISU - Test optional; Luther- Norse - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman ISU students have a 0.05 point higher average high school GPA (3.7) than students at Luther- Norse (3.65).
• ISU has a higher acceptance rate (88.7%) than Luther- Norse (71.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 28.8% at ISU vs. 19.9% at Luther- Norse.

ISU vs. Luther- Norse Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for ISU 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 Iowa State University's (68%).
• Graduates from Iowa State University earn a median of about $3,700 more per year than Luther- Norse graduates about ten years after starting college ($53,700 vs. $50,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Iowa State University graduates have a $3,132 lower median loan debt than Luther- Norse graduates ($23,868 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, ISU graduates have an estimated $33 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Luther- Norse graduates ($246 vs. $279).
• More Luther- Norse graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former ISU 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.