Luther- Norse vs. Carthage

Comparable Facts

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

Carthage College is larger than Luther- Norse based on total student enrollment (2,844 students vs. 1,384 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Luther College is located in Decorah, IA (Remote Town setting); Carthage College is in Kenosha, WI (Midsize Suburban setting).
• Luther College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Carthage College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Luther College 9:1; Carthage College 14:1.

Luther- Norse vs. Carthage Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Luther- Norse or Carthage? 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 Carthage ($24,511 vs. $27,066).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Luther College are 14.3% lower than at Carthage College ($11,530 vs. $13,450).
• Luther College is 34.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than Carthage (about $13,370 more per year; $52,120.00 vs. $38,750.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 34.5% higher at Luther- Norse than at Carthage College (about $13,370 more per year; $52,120.00 vs. $38,750.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Luther College as at Carthage College (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Luther College students is 72% larger than aid received by Carthage College students ($40,917 vs. $23,784).

Luther- Norse vs. Carthage Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Luther College (1240) is 140 points higher than at Carthage (1100).
• Incoming Luther- Norse students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (25 vs. 22 at Carthage).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Luther College 1078/1406; Carthage College 1000/1205.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Luther College 22/29; Carthage College 19/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Luther- Norse - Test optional; Carthage - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Luther- Norse students have a 0.29 point higher average high school GPA (3.65) than students at Carthage (3.36).
• Carthage has a higher acceptance rate (87.1%) than Luther- Norse (71.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 19.9% at Luther- Norse vs. 11.3% at Carthage.

Luther- Norse vs. Carthage Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Luther- Norse and Carthage? 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 Carthage College's (59%).
• Graduates from Luther College earn a median of about $1,200 more per year than Carthage graduates about ten years after starting college ($50,000 vs. $48,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Carthage College and Luther- Norse graduates have the same median loan debt ($27,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers in the federal data, Carthage 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 Carthage students, three years after graduation. (82% vs. 73%)

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.