Luther- Norse vs. Hobart William Smith Colleges

Comparable Facts

Compare Luther College in Decorah, IA with Hobart William Smith Colleges in Geneva, NY on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Hobart William Smith Colleges is larger than Luther- Norse based on total student enrollment (1,841 students vs. 1,384 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Luther College is located in Decorah, IA (Remote Town setting); Hobart William Smith Colleges is in Geneva, NY (Distant Town setting).
• Luther College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Hobart William Smith Colleges is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Luther College 9:1; Hobart William Smith Colleges 11:1.

Luther- Norse vs. Hobart William Smith Colleges Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Luther- Norse or Hobart William Smith Colleges? 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 Hobart William Smith Colleges ($24,511 vs. $34,170).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Luther College are 35.1% lower than at Hobart William Smith Colleges ($11,530 vs. $17,768).
• Hobart William Smith Colleges is 24.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Luther- Norse (about $12,997 more per year; $65,117.00 vs. $52,120.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 24.9% higher at Hobart William Smith Colleges than at Luther College (about $12,997 more per year; $65,117.00 vs. $52,120.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Luther College as at Hobart William Smith Colleges (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Hobart William Smith Colleges students is 18.4% larger than aid received by Luther College students ($48,432 vs. $40,917).

Luther- Norse vs. Hobart William Smith Colleges Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Luther- Norse or Hobart William Smith Colleges? 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 Hobart William Smith Colleges and Luther- Norse.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Hobart William Smith Colleges (1290) is 50 points higher than at Luther- Norse (1240).
• Incoming Hobart William Smith Colleges students have a 5 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (30 vs. 25 at Luther- Norse).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Luther College 1078/1406; Hobart William Smith Colleges 1190/1385.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Luther College 22/29; Hobart William Smith Colleges 28/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Luther- Norse - Test optional; Hobart William Smith Colleges - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Hobart William Smith Colleges Feb 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Luther- Norse students have a 0.1 point higher average high school GPA (3.65) than students at Hobart William Smith Colleges (3.55).
• Luther- Norse has a higher acceptance rate (71.5%) than Hobart William Smith Colleges (64%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 19.9% at Luther- Norse vs. 14.6% at Hobart William Smith Colleges.

Luther- Norse vs. Hobart William Smith Colleges Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Luther- Norse and Hobart William Smith Colleges? 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).

• Hobart William Smith Colleges's six-year graduation rate (75%) is higher than Luther College's (69%).
• Graduates from Hobart William Smith Colleges earn a median of about $10,200 more per year than Luther- Norse graduates about ten years after starting college ($60,200 vs. $50,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Hobart William Smith Colleges and Luther- Norse graduates have the same median loan debt ($27,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers in the federal data, Hobart William Smith Colleges and Luther- Norse graduates have the same median monthly federal student loan payment ($279 vs. $279).
• More Hobart William Smith Colleges graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Luther- Norse students, three years after graduation. (84% vs. 82%)

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.