Luther- Norse vs. UNI

Comparable Facts

Compare Luther College in Decorah, IA with University of Northern Iowa in Cedar Falls, IA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Northern Iowa is larger than Luther- Norse based on total student enrollment (9,278 students vs. 1,384 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Luther College is located in Decorah, IA (Remote Town setting); University of Northern Iowa is in Cedar Falls, IA (Small City setting).
• Luther College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Northern Iowa is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Luther College 9:1; University of Northern Iowa 18:1.

Luther- Norse vs. UNI Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Luther- Norse or UNI? 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 University of Northern Iowa than Luther- Norse ($16,437 vs. $24,511).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Northern Iowa are 13.4% lower than at Luther College ($9,986 vs. $11,530).
• Luther College is 424.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than UNI (about $42,184 more per year; $52,120.00 vs. $9,936.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 140.1% higher at Luther- Norse than at University of Northern Iowa (about $30,408 more per year; $52,120.00 vs. $21,712.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Luther College than at University of Northern Iowa (100% vs. 83%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Luther College students is 597.6% larger than aid received by University of Northern Iowa students ($40,917 vs. $5,865).

Luther- Norse vs. UNI Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Luther College (1240) is 90 points higher than at UNI (1150).
• Incoming Luther- Norse students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (25 vs. 22 at UNI).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Luther College 1078/1406; University of Northern Iowa 1020/1280.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Luther College 22/29; University of Northern Iowa 19/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Luther- Norse - Test optional; UNI - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Luther- Norse students have a 0.04 point higher average high school GPA (3.65) than students at UNI (3.61).
• UNI has a higher acceptance rate (92.7%) than Luther- Norse (71.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 19.9% at Luther- Norse vs. 31.1% at UNI.

Luther- Norse vs. UNI Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Luther- Norse and UNI? 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 University of Northern Iowa's (67%).
• Graduates from Luther College earn a median of about $2,300 more per year than UNI graduates about ten years after starting college ($50,000 vs. $47,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Northern Iowa graduates have a $6,375 lower median loan debt than Luther- Norse graduates ($20,625 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, UNI graduates have an estimated $66 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Luther- Norse graduates ($213 vs. $279).
• More Luther- Norse graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UNI students, three years after graduation. (82% vs. 72%)

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.