Luther- Norse vs. Lawrence

Comparable Facts

Compare Luther College in Decorah, IA with Lawrence University in Appleton, WI on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Lawrence University is larger than Luther- Norse based on total student enrollment (1,417 students vs. 1,384 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Luther College is located in Decorah, IA (Remote Town setting); Lawrence University is in Appleton, WI (Small City setting).
• Luther College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Lawrence University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Luther College 9:1; Lawrence University 7:1.

Luther- Norse vs. Lawrence Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Luther- Norse or Lawrence? 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 Lawrence ($24,511 vs. $27,161).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Luther College are 5.2% lower than at Lawrence University ($11,530 vs. $12,165).
• Lawrence University is 9.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Luther- Norse (about $4,862 more per year; $56,982.00 vs. $52,120.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 9.3% higher at Lawrence than at Luther College (about $4,862 more per year; $56,982.00 vs. $52,120.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Luther College as at Lawrence University (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Lawrence University students is 4.3% larger than aid received by Luther College students ($42,688 vs. $40,917).

Luther- Norse vs. Lawrence Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Lawrence University (1310) is 70 points higher than at Luther- Norse (1240).
• Incoming Lawrence 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; Lawrence University 1200/1420.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Luther College 22/29; Lawrence University 24/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Luther- Norse - Test optional; Lawrence - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Lawrence Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Luther- Norse students have a 0.13 point higher average high school GPA (3.65) than students at Lawrence (3.52).
• Luther- Norse has a higher acceptance rate (71.5%) than Lawrence (63.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 19.9% at Luther- Norse vs. 16.8% at Lawrence.

Luther- Norse vs. Lawrence Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

• Lawrence University's six-year graduation rate (77%) is higher than Luther College's (69%).
• Graduates from Luther College earn a median of about $4,400 more per year than Lawrence graduates about ten years after starting college ($50,000 vs. $45,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Luther College graduates have a $350 lower median loan debt than Lawrence graduates ($27,000 vs. $27,350).
• Among borrowers, Luther- Norse graduates have an estimated $3 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Lawrence graduates ($279 vs. $282).
• More Luther- Norse graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Lawrence students, three years after graduation. (82% vs. 76%)

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.