Luther- Norse vs. USD

Comparable Facts

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

University of South Dakota is larger than Luther- Norse based on total student enrollment (10,619 students vs. 1,384 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Luther College is located in Decorah, IA (Remote Town setting); University of South Dakota is in Vermillion, SD (Distant Town setting).
• Luther College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of South Dakota is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Luther College 9:1; University of South Dakota 16:1.

Luther- Norse vs. USD Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Luther- Norse or USD? 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 South Dakota than Luther- Norse ($19,133 vs. $24,511).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of South Dakota are 10.2% lower than at Luther College ($10,356 vs. $11,530).
• Luther College is 452.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than USD (about $42,688 more per year; $52,120.00 vs. $9,432.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 302.7% higher at Luther- Norse than at University of South Dakota (about $39,178 more per year; $52,120.00 vs. $12,942.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Luther College than at University of South Dakota (100% vs. 83%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Luther College students is 627.7% larger than aid received by University of South Dakota students ($40,917 vs. $5,623).

Luther- Norse vs. USD Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Luther College (1240) is 20 points higher than at USD (1220).
• Incoming Luther- Norse students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (25 vs. 22 at USD).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Luther College 1078/1406; University of South Dakota 1125/1315.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Luther College 22/29; University of South Dakota 19/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Luther- Norse - Test optional; USD - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Luther- Norse students have a 0.22 point higher average high school GPA (3.65) than students at USD (3.43).
• USD has a higher acceptance rate (98.8%) than Luther- Norse (71.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 19.9% at Luther- Norse vs. 24.1% at USD.

Luther- Norse vs. USD Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Luther- Norse and USD? 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 South Dakota's (47%).
• Graduates from Luther College earn a median of about $1,800 more per year than USD graduates about ten years after starting college ($50,000 vs. $48,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of South Dakota graduates have a $2,000 lower median loan debt than Luther- Norse graduates ($25,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, USD graduates have an estimated $21 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Luther- Norse graduates ($258 vs. $279).
• More Luther- Norse graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former USD students, three years after graduation. (82% vs. 70%)

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.