Luther- Norse vs. Ripon College

Comparable Facts

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

Luther College is larger than Ripon College based on total student enrollment (1,384 students vs. 709 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Luther College is located in Decorah, IA (Remote Town setting); Ripon College is in Ripon, WI (Rural Fringe setting).
• Luther College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Ripon College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Luther College 9:1; Ripon College 12:1.

Luther- Norse vs. Ripon College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Luther- Norse or Ripon 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 Ripon College than Luther- Norse ($23,772 vs. $24,511).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Ripon College are 6.3% lower than at Luther College ($10,800 vs. $11,530).
• Luther College is 0.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than Ripon College (about $220 more per year; $52,120.00 vs. $51,900.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 0.4% higher at Luther- Norse than at Ripon College (about $220 more per year; $52,120.00 vs. $51,900.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Luther College as at Ripon College (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Luther College students is 3% larger than aid received by Ripon College students ($40,917 vs. $39,716).

Luther- Norse vs. Ripon College Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Luther College (1240) is 110 points higher than at Ripon College (1130).
• Incoming Luther- Norse students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (25 vs. 24 at Ripon College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Luther College 1078/1406; Ripon College 980/1270.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Luther College 22/29; Ripon College 21/27.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Luther- Norse - Test optional; Ripon College - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Luther- Norse students have a 0.24 point higher average high school GPA (3.65) than students at Ripon College (3.41).
• Ripon College has a higher acceptance rate (79.8%) than Luther- Norse (71.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 19.9% at Luther- Norse vs. 10.9% at Ripon College.

Luther- Norse vs. Ripon College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

• Ripon College's six-year graduation rate (70%) is higher than Luther College's (69%).
• Graduates from Luther College earn a median of about $800 more per year than Ripon College graduates about ten years after starting college ($50,000 vs. $49,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Luther College graduates have a $1,000 lower median loan debt than Ripon College graduates ($27,000 vs. $28,000).
• Among borrowers, Luther- Norse graduates have an estimated $10 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Ripon College graduates ($279 vs. $289).
• More Luther- Norse graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Ripon College students, three years after graduation. (82% vs. 77%)

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.