Luther- Norse vs. Carleton College

Comparable Facts

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

Carleton College is larger than Luther- Norse based on total student enrollment (2,128 students vs. 1,384 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Luther College is located in Decorah, IA (Remote Town setting); Carleton College is in Northfield, MN (Distant Town setting).
• Luther College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Carleton College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Luther College 9:1; Carleton College 8:1.

Luther- Norse vs. Carleton College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Luther- Norse or Carleton 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 Carleton College ($24,511 vs. $28,047).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Luther College are 34.4% lower than at Carleton College ($11,530 vs. $17,586).
• Carleton College is 32.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Luther- Norse (about $16,772 more per year; $68,892.00 vs. $52,120.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 32.2% higher at Carleton College than at Luther College (about $16,772 more per year; $68,892.00 vs. $52,120.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Luther College than at Carleton College (100% vs. 59%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Carleton College students is 38.9% larger than aid received by Luther College students ($56,846 vs. $40,917).

Luther- Norse vs. Carleton College Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Carleton College (1510) is 270 points higher than at Luther- Norse (1240).
• Incoming Carleton College students have a 8 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (33 vs. 25 at Luther- Norse).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Luther College 1078/1406; Carleton College 1450/1560.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Luther College 22/29; Carleton College 32/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Luther- Norse - Test optional; Carleton College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Carleton College Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Carleton College students have a 0.25 point higher average high school GPA (3.9) than students at Luther- Norse (3.65).
• Luther- Norse has a higher acceptance rate (71.5%) than Carleton College (20.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 19.9% at Luther- Norse vs. 34.8% at Carleton College.

Luther- Norse vs. Carleton College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Luther- Norse and Carleton 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).

• Carleton College's six-year graduation rate (93%) is higher than Luther College's (69%).
• Graduates from Carleton College earn a median of about $15,600 more per year than Luther- Norse graduates about ten years after starting college ($65,600 vs. $50,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Carleton College graduates have a $7,500 lower median loan debt than Luther- Norse graduates ($19,500 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Carleton College graduates have an estimated $78 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Luther- Norse graduates ($201 vs. $279).
• More Carleton College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Luther- Norse students, three years after graduation. (92% 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.