Luther- Norse vs. EC

Comparable Facts

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

Luther College is larger than EC based on total student enrollment (1,384 students vs. 786 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Luther College is located in Decorah, IA (Remote Town setting); Elmira College is in Elmira, NY (Small City setting).
• Luther College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Elmira College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Luther College 9:1; Elmira College 11:1.

Luther- Norse vs. EC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Luther- Norse or EC? 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 Elmira College than Luther- Norse ($23,682 vs. $24,511).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Luther College are 20.8% lower than at Elmira College ($11,530 vs. $14,550).
• Luther College is 33.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than EC (about $13,144 more per year; $52,120.00 vs. $38,976.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 33.7% higher at Luther- Norse than at Elmira College (about $13,144 more per year; $52,120.00 vs. $38,976.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Luther College as at Elmira College (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Luther College students is 42.2% larger than aid received by Elmira College students ($40,917 vs. $28,780).

Luther- Norse vs. EC Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Luther College (1240) is the same as at EC (1240).
• Incoming EC students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (27 vs. 25 at Luther- Norse).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Luther College 1078/1406; Elmira College 1090/1385.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Luther College 22/29; Elmira College 26/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Luther- Norse - Test optional; EC - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Luther- Norse students have a 0.43 point higher average high school GPA (3.65) than students at EC (3.22).
• EC has a higher acceptance rate (77%) than Luther- Norse (71.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 19.9% at Luther- Norse vs. 12.3% at EC.

Luther- Norse vs. EC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Luther- Norse and EC? 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 Elmira College's (60%).
• Graduates from Luther College earn a median of about $4,000 more per year than EC graduates about ten years after starting college ($50,000 vs. $46,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Elmira College and Luther- Norse graduates have the same median loan debt ($27,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers in the federal data, Elmira 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 EC students, three years after graduation. (82% vs. 72%)

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.