Luther- Norse vs. Dakota State

Comparable Facts

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

Dakota State University is larger than Luther- Norse based on total student enrollment (3,774 students vs. 1,384 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Luther- Norse vs. Dakota State Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Luther- Norse or Dakota State? 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 Dakota State University than Luther- Norse ($20,438 vs. $24,511).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Dakota State University are 15.5% lower than at Luther College ($9,742 vs. $11,530).
• Luther College is 439.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Dakota State (about $42,466 more per year; $52,120.00 vs. $9,654.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 308.6% higher at Luther- Norse than at Dakota State University (about $39,364 more per year; $52,120.00 vs. $12,756.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Luther College than at Dakota State University (100% vs. 88%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Luther College students is 661.8% larger than aid received by Dakota State University students ($40,917 vs. $5,371).

Luther- Norse vs. Dakota State Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Dakota State University (1320) is 80 points higher than at Luther- Norse (1240).
• Incoming Luther- Norse students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (25 vs. 23 at Dakota State).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Luther College 1078/1406; Dakota State University 1190/1440.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Luther College 22/29; Dakota State University 20/27.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Luther- Norse - Test optional; Dakota State - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Luther- Norse students have a 0.32 point higher average high school GPA (3.65) than students at Dakota State (3.33).
• Dakota State has a higher acceptance rate (88%) than Luther- Norse (71.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 19.9% at Luther- Norse vs. 18% at Dakota State.

Luther- Norse vs. Dakota State Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Luther- Norse and Dakota State? 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 Dakota State University's (34%).
• Graduates from Luther College earn a median of about $7,800 more per year than Dakota State graduates about ten years after starting college ($50,000 vs. $42,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Dakota State University graduates have a $3,500 lower median loan debt than Luther- Norse graduates ($23,500 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Dakota State graduates have an estimated $37 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Luther- Norse graduates ($242 vs. $279).
• More Luther- Norse graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Dakota State students, three years after graduation. (82% vs. 67%)

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.