Luther- Norse vs. Northwest University

Should I go to Luther College or Northwest University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Luther- Norse or Northwest University is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.

Add a college to compare up to four schools
Luther College vs. Northwest University comparison
Luther College Northwest University College 3 College 4
Luther College Northwest University
Remove Remove +Add +Add

Overview

Luther- Norse Northwest University
Location Decorah, IA Kirkland, WA
Setting Remote Town Large Suburban
Enrollment 1,610 1,014
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #336 #360
Religious Affiliation Evangelical Lutheran Church Assemblies of God Church - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website luther.edu northwestu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Luther- Norse Northwest University
Tuition (In State) $47,510 $34,500
Tuition (Out of State) $47,510 $34,500
Room & Board $10,670 $10,140
Avg Net Price $25,734 $23,722
Avg Grant Aid $35,441 $22,486
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 100%

Admission

Luther- Norse Northwest University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 2,188 383
Admitted 1,648 361
Acceptance Rate 75.3% 94.3%
Enrolled % 24.3% 43.2%
Avg High School GPA 3.65 3.41
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Difficult Difficult
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 22/29 22/30
SAT Range 1075/1330 1050/1320
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Aug 1, 2025

Academics

Luther- Norse Northwest University
Student to Faculty Ratio 11:1 9:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (13%)
  • Social Sciences (12%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (11%)
  • Biology (10%)
  • Foreign Languages (6%)
  • Theology and Religious Vvocations (23%)
  • Business (16%)
  • Education (12%)
  • Health Professions (11%)
  • Communication (10%)

Outcomes

Luther- Norse Northwest University
Graduation Rate 69% 50%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $50,000 $41,400
Making Student Loan Payments 82% 62%
Median Student Loan Debt $27,000 $21,532
Median Loan Payment $279 $222

Diversity

Luther- Norse Northwest University
% Men 45% 35%
% Women 55% 65%
Racial Diversity Very Low Medium
HBCU No No
% White 84% 69%
% Black 2% 5%
% Hispanic 4% 8%
% Native American 0% 1%
% Pacific Islander 0% 1%
% Two or More Races 2% 5%
% International 6% 4%
% Unknown Race 0% 2%

Students

Luther- Norse Northwest University
% In-State 26% 79%
% Out-of-State 60% 18%

Campus

Luther- Norse Northwest University
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes No Yes
Daycare Facility No No
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Luther College is larger than than Northwest University based on total student enrollment (1,610 students vs. 1,014 students)

Luther- Norse vs. Northwest University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Luther- Norse or Northwest University?

  • Luther College is 37.7% more expensive to attend than Northwest University for in-state tuition ($47,510.00 vs. $34,500.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 37.7% higher at Luther- Norse than Northwest University ($47,510.00 vs. $34,500.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Northwest University than Luther- Norse ($23,722 vs. $25,734)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Northwest University are 5.2% lower than costs at Luther College ($10,140 vs. $10,670)
  • The same percent of students receive financial grant aid at Luther College as Northwest University (100% vs. 100%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Luther College students is 57.6% larger than aid received Northwest University ($35,441 vs. $22,486)

Luther- Norse vs. Northwest University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Luther- Norse or Northwest University? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between Northwest University or Luther- Norse .

  • The average SAT score at Luther College (1179) is 183 points higher than at Northwest University (996)
  • Incoming Luther- Norse students have a 4 point higher average ACT score (26) than students at Northwest University (22)
  • Accepted freshman Luther- Norse students have a 0.24 point higher average high school GPA (3.65) than students at Northwest University (3.41)
  • Northwest University has a higher acceptance rate (94.3%) than Luther- Norse (75.3%)

Luther- Norse vs. Northwest University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Luther- Norse or Northwest University? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between Northwest University and Luther- Norse.

  • The graduation rate at Luther- Norse is higher than Northwest University (69% vs. 50%)
  • Graduates from Luther College earn on average $8,600 more per year than Northwest University graduates after ten years. ($50,000 vs. $41,400)
  • Northwest University students graduate with a $5,468 lower median federal student loan debt than Luther- Norse graduates. ($21,532 vs. $27,000)
  • Northwest University graduates are paying $57 less per month on federal student loans than Luther- Norse graduates. ($222 vs. $279)
  • More Luther- Norse graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Northwest University students, three years after graduation. (82% vs. 62%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/