Luther- Norse vs. Kalamazoo College

Comparable Facts

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

Luther College is larger than Kalamazoo College based on total student enrollment (1,384 students vs. 1,166 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Luther College is located in Decorah, IA (Remote Town setting); Kalamazoo College is in Kalamazoo, MI (Small City setting).
• Luther College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Kalamazoo College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Luther College 9:1; Kalamazoo College 10:1.

Luther- Norse vs. Kalamazoo College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Luther- Norse or Kalamazoo 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 Kalamazoo College ($24,511 vs. $26,956).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Luther College are 8.1% lower than at Kalamazoo College ($11,530 vs. $12,549).
• Kalamazoo College is 17.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Luther- Norse (about $8,930 more per year; $61,050.00 vs. $52,120.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 17.1% higher at Kalamazoo College than at Luther College (about $8,930 more per year; $61,050.00 vs. $52,120.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Luther College than at Kalamazoo College (100% vs. 99%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Kalamazoo College students is 15.5% larger than aid received by Luther College students ($47,252 vs. $40,917).

Luther- Norse vs. Kalamazoo College Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Kalamazoo College (1280) is 40 points higher than at Luther- Norse (1240).
• Incoming Luther- Norse students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (25 vs. 24 at Kalamazoo College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Luther College 1078/1406; Kalamazoo College 1170/1380.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Luther College 22/29; Kalamazoo College 20/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Luther- Norse - Test optional; Kalamazoo College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Kalamazoo College Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Kalamazoo College students have a 0.08 point higher average high school GPA (3.73) than students at Luther- Norse (3.65).
• Kalamazoo College has a higher acceptance rate (75.3%) than Luther- Norse (71.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 19.9% at Luther- Norse vs. 11.7% at Kalamazoo College.

Luther- Norse vs. Kalamazoo College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Luther- Norse and Kalamazoo 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).

• Kalamazoo College's six-year graduation rate (80%) is higher than Luther College's (69%).
• Graduates from Kalamazoo College earn a median of about $4,400 more per year than Luther- Norse graduates about ten years after starting college ($54,400 vs. $50,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Kalamazoo College graduates have a $550 lower median loan debt than Luther- Norse graduates ($26,450 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Kalamazoo College graduates have an estimated $6 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Luther- Norse graduates ($273 vs. $279).
• More Luther- Norse graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Kalamazoo College students, three years after graduation. (82% vs. 81%)

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.