Luther- Norse vs. Hope College

Comparable Facts

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

Hope College is larger than Luther- Norse based on total student enrollment (3,395 students vs. 1,384 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Luther- Norse vs. Hope College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Luther- Norse or Hope College? 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 Hope College ($24,511 vs. $30,700).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Luther College are 11% lower than at Hope College ($11,530 vs. $12,950).
• Luther College is 24.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Hope College (about $10,150 more per year; $52,120.00 vs. $41,970.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 24.2% higher at Luther- Norse than at Hope College (about $10,150 more per year; $52,120.00 vs. $41,970.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Luther College than at Hope College (100% vs. 97%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Luther College students is 64% larger than aid received by Hope College students ($40,917 vs. $24,945).

Luther- Norse vs. Hope College Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Luther College (1240) is 20 points higher than at Hope College (1220).
• Incoming Hope College students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (28 vs. 25 at Luther- Norse).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Luther College 1078/1406; Hope College 1100/1340.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Luther College 22/29; Hope College 25/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Luther- Norse - Test optional; Hope College - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Hope College students have a 0.18 point higher average high school GPA (3.83) than students at Luther- Norse (3.65).
• Hope College has a higher acceptance rate (79.2%) than Luther- Norse (71.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 19.9% at Luther- Norse vs. 20.1% at Hope College.

Luther- Norse vs. Hope College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Luther- Norse and Hope College? 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).

• Hope College's six-year graduation rate (79%) is higher than Luther College's (69%).
• Graduates from Luther College earn a median of about $2,500 more per year than Hope College graduates about ten years after starting college ($50,000 vs. $47,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Hope College and Luther- Norse graduates have the same median loan debt ($27,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers in the federal data, Hope College and Luther- Norse graduates have the same median monthly federal student loan payment ($279 vs. $279).
• More Hope College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Luther- Norse students, three years after graduation. (82% 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.