Luther- Norse vs. Benedictine College

Comparable Facts

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

Benedictine College is larger than Luther- Norse based on total student enrollment (2,535 students vs. 1,384 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Luther College is located in Decorah, IA (Remote Town setting); Benedictine College is in Atchison, KS (Distant Town setting).
• Luther College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Benedictine College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Luther College 9:1; Benedictine College 16:1.

Luther- Norse vs. Benedictine College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Luther- Norse or Benedictine College? 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 Benedictine College ($24,511 vs. $28,629).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Luther College are 14.1% lower than at Benedictine College ($11,530 vs. $13,430).
• Luther College is 43.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than Benedictine College (about $15,770 more per year; $52,120.00 vs. $36,350.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 43.4% higher at Luther- Norse than at Benedictine College (about $15,770 more per year; $52,120.00 vs. $36,350.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Luther College as at Benedictine College (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Luther College students is 73.9% larger than aid received by Benedictine College students ($40,917 vs. $23,527).

Luther- Norse vs. Benedictine College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Luther- Norse or Benedictine College? 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 Benedictine College and Luther- Norse.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Benedictine College (1260) is 20 points higher than at Luther- Norse (1240).
• Incoming Luther- Norse students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 25) as students at Benedictine College (25).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Luther College 1078/1406; Benedictine College 1140/1380.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Luther College 22/29; Benedictine College 22/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Luther- Norse - Test optional; Benedictine College - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Luther- Norse students have a 0.08 point higher average high school GPA (3.65) than students at Benedictine College (3.57).
• Benedictine College has a higher acceptance rate (98.1%) than Luther- Norse (71.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 19.9% at Luther- Norse vs. 22.9% at Benedictine College.

Luther- Norse vs. Benedictine College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Luther- Norse and Benedictine College? 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 Benedictine College's (56%).
• Graduates from Luther College earn a median of about $7,400 more per year than Benedictine College graduates about ten years after starting college ($50,000 vs. $42,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Benedictine College and Luther- Norse graduates have the same median loan debt ($27,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers in the federal data, Benedictine College and Luther- Norse 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 Benedictine 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.