Luther- Norse vs. CBU

Comparable Facts

Compare Luther College in Decorah, IA with Christian Brothers University in Memphis, TN on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Christian Brothers University is larger than Luther- Norse based on total student enrollment (1,772 students vs. 1,384 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Luther College is located in Decorah, IA (Remote Town setting); Christian Brothers University is in Memphis, TN (Large City setting).
• Luther College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Christian Brothers University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Luther College 9:1; Christian Brothers University 9:1.

Luther- Norse vs. CBU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Luther- Norse or CBU? 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 Christian Brothers University than Luther- Norse ($16,754 vs. $24,511).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Christian Brothers University are 4.1% lower than at Luther College ($11,055 vs. $11,530).
• Luther College is 35.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than CBU (about $13,700 more per year; $52,120.00 vs. $38,420.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 35.7% higher at Luther- Norse than at Christian Brothers University (about $13,700 more per year; $52,120.00 vs. $38,420.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Luther College as at Christian Brothers University (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Luther College students is 31% larger than aid received by Christian Brothers University students ($40,917 vs. $31,234).

Luther- Norse vs. CBU Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Luther College (1240) is 40 points higher than at CBU (1200).
• Incoming Luther- Norse students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (25 vs. 21 at CBU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Luther College 1078/1406; Christian Brothers University 1020/1380.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Luther College 22/29; Christian Brothers University 19/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Luther- Norse - Test optional; CBU - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman CBU students have a 0.02 point higher average high school GPA (3.67) than students at Luther- Norse (3.65).
• CBU has a higher acceptance rate (86.7%) than Luther- Norse (71.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 19.9% at Luther- Norse vs. 13.4% at CBU.

Luther- Norse vs. CBU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Luther- Norse and CBU? 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 Christian Brothers University's (52%).
• Graduates from Christian Brothers University earn a median of about $600 more per year than Luther- Norse graduates about ten years after starting college ($50,600 vs. $50,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Christian Brothers University and Luther- Norse graduates have the same median loan debt ($27,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers in the federal data, Christian Brothers University 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 CBU students, three years after graduation. (82% vs. 53%)

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.