Luther- Norse vs. Macalester College

Comparable Facts

Compare Luther College in Decorah, IA with Macalester College in Saint Paul, MN on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Macalester College is larger than Luther- Norse based on total student enrollment (2,138 students vs. 1,384 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Luther- Norse vs. Macalester College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Luther- Norse or Macalester 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 Macalester College ($24,511 vs. $40,225).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Luther College are 26.8% lower than at Macalester College ($11,530 vs. $15,760).
• Macalester College is 30.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Luther- Norse (about $15,984 more per year; $68,104.00 vs. $52,120.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 30.7% higher at Macalester College than at Luther College (about $15,984 more per year; $68,104.00 vs. $52,120.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Luther College than at Macalester College (100% vs. 87%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Macalester College students is 4.5% larger than aid received by Luther College students ($42,766 vs. $40,917).

Luther- Norse vs. Macalester College Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Macalester College (1430) is 190 points higher than at Luther- Norse (1240).
• Incoming Macalester College students have a 7 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (32 vs. 25 at Luther- Norse).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Luther College 1078/1406; Macalester College 1350/1510.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Luther College 22/29; Macalester College 30/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Luther- Norse - Test optional; Macalester College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Macalester College Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Macalester College students have a 0.16 point higher average high school GPA (3.81) than students at Luther- Norse (3.65).
• Luther- Norse has a higher acceptance rate (71.5%) than Macalester College (28.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 19.9% at Luther- Norse vs. 21.9% at Macalester College.

Luther- Norse vs. Macalester College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

• Macalester College's six-year graduation rate (87%) is higher than Luther College's (69%).
• Graduates from Macalester College earn a median of about $4,100 more per year than Luther- Norse graduates about ten years after starting college ($54,100 vs. $50,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Macalester College graduates have a $4,330 lower median loan debt than Luther- Norse graduates ($22,670 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Macalester College graduates have an estimated $45 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Luther- Norse graduates ($234 vs. $279).
• More Macalester College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Luther- Norse students, three years after graduation. (89% 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.