Luther- Norse vs. MSOE

Comparable Facts

Compare Luther College in Decorah, IA with Milwaukee School of Engineering in Milwaukee, WI on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Milwaukee School of Engineering is larger than Luther- Norse based on total student enrollment (2,953 students vs. 1,384 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Luther College is located in Decorah, IA (Remote Town setting); Milwaukee School of Engineering is in Milwaukee, WI (Large City setting).
• Luther College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Milwaukee School of Engineering is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Luther College 9:1; Milwaukee School of Engineering 12:1.

Luther- Norse vs. MSOE Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Luther- Norse or MSOE? 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 MSOE ($24,511 vs. $25,669).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Luther College are 17.5% lower than at Milwaukee School of Engineering ($11,530 vs. $13,984).
• Luther College is 3.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than MSOE (about $1,640 more per year; $52,120.00 vs. $50,480.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 3.2% higher at Luther- Norse than at Milwaukee School of Engineering (about $1,640 more per year; $52,120.00 vs. $50,480.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Luther College as at Milwaukee School of Engineering (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Luther College students is 10.6% larger than aid received by Milwaukee School of Engineering students ($40,917 vs. $36,997).

Luther- Norse vs. MSOE Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Milwaukee School of Engineering (1280) is 40 points higher than at Luther- Norse (1240).
• Incoming MSOE 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; Milwaukee School of Engineering 1160/1405.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Luther College 22/29; Milwaukee School of Engineering 24/30.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Luther- Norse - Test optional; MSOE - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: MSOE Sep 1, 2026.
• Accepted freshman Luther- Norse students have the same average high school GPA (3.65) as students at MSOE (3.65).
• Luther- Norse has a higher acceptance rate (71.5%) than MSOE (58.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 19.9% at Luther- Norse vs. 17.2% at MSOE.

Luther- Norse vs. MSOE Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

• Luther College's six-year graduation rate (69%) is higher than Milwaukee School of Engineering's (57%).
• Graduates from Milwaukee School of Engineering earn a median of about $18,900 more per year than Luther- Norse graduates about ten years after starting college ($68,900 vs. $50,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Milwaukee School of Engineering and Luther- Norse graduates have the same median loan debt ($27,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers in the federal data, Milwaukee School of Engineering and Luther- Norse graduates have the same median monthly federal student loan payment ($279 vs. $279).
• More MSOE graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Luther- Norse students, three years after graduation. (83% 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.