Luther- Norse vs. Dakota Wesleyan University

Should I go to Luther College or Dakota Wesleyan University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Luther- Norse or Dakota Wesleyan University is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.

Add a college to compare up to four schools
Luther College vs. Dakota Wesleyan University comparison
Luther College Dakota Wesleyan University College 3 College 4
Luther College
Remove Remove +Add +Add

Overview

Luther- Norse Dakota Wesleyan University
Location Decorah, IA Mitchell, SD
Setting Remote Town Remote Town
Enrollment 1,610 887
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #336
Religious Affiliation Evangelical Lutheran Church United Methodist - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website luther.edu dwu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Luther- Norse Dakota Wesleyan University
Tuition (In State) $47,510 $30,700
Tuition (Out of State) $47,510 $30,700
Room & Board $10,670 $7,450
Avg Net Price $25,734 $19,825
Avg Grant Aid $35,441 $21,097
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 100%

Admission

Luther- Norse Dakota Wesleyan University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 2,188 1,209
Admitted 1,648 904
Acceptance Rate 75.3% 74.8%
Enrolled % 24.3% 18.6%
Avg High School GPA 3.65 3.36
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Difficult Average
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 22/29 18/24
SAT Range 1075/1330 950/1420
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Aug 27, 2025

Academics

Luther- Norse Dakota Wesleyan University
Student to Faculty Ratio 11:1 12:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (13%)
  • Social Sciences (12%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (11%)
  • Biology (10%)
  • Foreign Languages (6%)
  • Health Professions (37%)
  • Business (13%)
  • Education (9%)
  • Biology (7%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (6%)

Outcomes

Luther- Norse Dakota Wesleyan University
Graduation Rate 69% 43%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $50,000 $38,200
Making Student Loan Payments 82% 71%
Median Student Loan Debt $27,000 $26,533
Median Loan Payment $279 $274

Diversity

Luther- Norse Dakota Wesleyan University
% Men 45% 46%
% Women 55% 54%
Racial Diversity Very Low Very Low
HBCU No No
% White 84% 88%
% Black 2% 2%
% Hispanic 4% 3%
% Native American 0% 2%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 2% 3%
% International 6% 2%
% Unknown Race 0% 0%

Students

Luther- Norse Dakota Wesleyan University
% In-State 26% 61%
% Out-of-State 60% 35%

Campus

Luther- Norse Dakota Wesleyan University
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes No No
Daycare Facility No Yes
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Luther College is larger than than Dakota Wesleyan University based on total student enrollment (1,610 students vs. 887 students)

Luther- Norse vs. Dakota Wesleyan University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Luther- Norse or Dakota Wesleyan University?

  • Luther College is 54.8% more expensive to attend than Dakota Wesleyan University for in-state tuition ($47,510.00 vs. $30,700.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 54.8% higher at Luther- Norse than Dakota Wesleyan University ($47,510.00 vs. $30,700.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Dakota Wesleyan University than Luther- Norse ($19,825 vs. $25,734)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Dakota Wesleyan University are 43.2% lower than costs at Luther College ($7,450 vs. $10,670)
  • The same percent of students receive financial grant aid at Luther College as Dakota Wesleyan University (100% vs. 100%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Luther College students is 68% larger than aid received Dakota Wesleyan University ($35,441 vs. $21,097)

Luther- Norse vs. Dakota Wesleyan University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Luther- Norse or Dakota Wesleyan University? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between Dakota Wesleyan University or Luther- Norse .

  • The average SAT score at Luther College (1179) is 197 points higher than at Dakota Wesleyan University (982)
  • Incoming Luther- Norse students have a 5 point higher average ACT score (26) than students at Dakota Wesleyan University (21)
  • Accepted freshman Luther- Norse students have a 0.29 point higher average high school GPA (3.65) than students at Dakota Wesleyan University (3.36)
  • Luther- Norse has a higher acceptance rate (75.3%) than Dakota Wesleyan University (74.8%)

Luther- Norse vs. Dakota Wesleyan University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Luther- Norse or Dakota Wesleyan University? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between Dakota Wesleyan University and Luther- Norse.

  • The graduation rate at Luther- Norse is higher than Dakota Wesleyan University (69% vs. 43%)
  • Graduates from Luther College earn on average $11,800 more per year than Dakota Wesleyan University graduates after ten years. ($50,000 vs. $38,200)
  • Dakota Wesleyan University students graduate with a $467 lower median federal student loan debt than Luther- Norse graduates. ($26,533 vs. $27,000)
  • Dakota Wesleyan University graduates are paying $5 less per month on federal student loans than Luther- Norse graduates. ($274 vs. $279)
  • More Luther- Norse graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Dakota Wesleyan University students, three years after graduation. (82% vs. 71%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/