Luther- Norse vs. Sewanee

Comparable Facts

Compare Luther College in Decorah, IA with The University of the South in Sewanee, TN on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

The University of the South is larger than Luther- Norse based on total student enrollment (1,724 students vs. 1,384 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Luther College is located in Decorah, IA (Remote Town setting); The University of the South is in Sewanee, TN (Distant Rural setting).
• Luther College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. The University of the South is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Luther College 9:1; The University of the South 9:1.

Luther- Norse vs. Sewanee Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Luther- Norse or Sewanee? 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 Sewanee ($24,511 vs. $34,815).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Luther College are 28.1% lower than at The University of the South ($11,530 vs. $16,028).
• The University of the South is 7.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Luther- Norse (about $4,000 more per year; $56,120.00 vs. $52,120.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 7.7% higher at Sewanee than at Luther College (about $4,000 more per year; $56,120.00 vs. $52,120.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Luther College than at The University of the South (100% vs. 98%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Luther College students is 10.1% larger than aid received by The University of the South students ($40,917 vs. $37,171).

Luther- Norse vs. Sewanee Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at The University of the South (1330) is 90 points higher than at Luther- Norse (1240).
• Incoming Sewanee students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (29 vs. 25 at Luther- Norse).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Luther College 1078/1406; The University of the South 1260/1390.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Luther College 22/29; The University of the South 27/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Luther- Norse - Test optional; Sewanee - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Sewanee Feb 1, 2027.
• Luther- Norse has a higher acceptance rate (71.5%) than Sewanee (56.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 19.9% at Luther- Norse vs. 17.9% at Sewanee.

Luther- Norse vs. Sewanee Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

• The University of the South's six-year graduation rate (86%) is higher than Luther College's (69%).
• Graduates from Luther College earn a median of about $200 more per year than Sewanee graduates about ten years after starting college ($50,000 vs. $49,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, The University of the South graduates have a $8,000 lower median loan debt than Luther- Norse graduates ($19,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Sewanee graduates have an estimated $83 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Luther- Norse graduates ($196 vs. $279).
• More Sewanee 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.