Luther- Norse vs. St Olaf

Comparable Facts

Compare Luther College in Decorah, IA with St Olaf College in Northfield, MN on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

St Olaf College is larger than Luther- Norse based on total student enrollment (3,124 students vs. 1,384 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Luther College is located in Decorah, IA (Remote Town setting); St Olaf College is in Northfield, MN (Distant Town setting).
• Luther College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. St Olaf College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Luther College 9:1; St Olaf College 11:1.

Luther- Norse vs. St Olaf Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Luther- Norse or St Olaf? 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 St Olaf ($24,511 vs. $26,756).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Luther College are 15.4% lower than at St Olaf College ($11,530 vs. $13,630).
• St Olaf College is 14.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Luther- Norse (about $7,640 more per year; $59,760.00 vs. $52,120.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 14.7% higher at St Olaf than at Luther College (about $7,640 more per year; $59,760.00 vs. $52,120.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Luther College as at St Olaf College (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by St Olaf College students is 10.2% larger than aid received by Luther College students ($45,098 vs. $40,917).

Luther- Norse vs. St Olaf Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at St Olaf College (1390) is 150 points higher than at Luther- Norse (1240).
• Incoming St Olaf students have a 5 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (30 vs. 25 at Luther- Norse).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Luther College 1078/1406; St Olaf College 1300/1470.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Luther College 22/29; St Olaf College 28/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Luther- Norse - Test optional; St Olaf - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: St Olaf Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman St Olaf students have a 0.03 point higher average high school GPA (3.68) than students at Luther- Norse (3.65).
• Luther- Norse has a higher acceptance rate (71.5%) than St Olaf (48.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 19.9% at Luther- Norse vs. 26.8% at St Olaf.

Luther- Norse vs. St Olaf Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

• St Olaf College's six-year graduation rate (85%) is higher than Luther College's (69%).
• Graduates from St Olaf College earn a median of about $3,700 more per year than Luther- Norse graduates about ten years after starting college ($53,700 vs. $50,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, St Olaf College and Luther- Norse graduates have the same median loan debt ($27,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers in the federal data, St Olaf College and Luther- Norse graduates have the same median monthly federal student loan payment ($279 vs. $279).
• More St Olaf graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Luther- Norse students, three years after graduation. (91% 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.