Luther- Norse vs. University of St Thomas

Comparable Facts

Compare Luther College in Decorah, IA with University of St Thomas in Saint Paul, MN on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of St Thomas is larger than Luther- Norse based on total student enrollment (9,410 students vs. 1,384 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Luther College is located in Decorah, IA (Remote Town setting); University of St Thomas is in Saint Paul, MN (Large City setting).
• Luther College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of St Thomas is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Luther College 9:1; University of St Thomas 14:1.

Luther- Norse vs. University of St Thomas Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Luther- Norse or University of St Thomas? 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 University of St Thomas ($24,511 vs. $31,250).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Luther College are 23% lower than at University of St Thomas ($11,530 vs. $14,969).
• University of St Thomas is 4.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than Luther- Norse (about $2,278 more per year; $54,398.00 vs. $52,120.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 4.4% higher at University of St Thomas than at Luther College (about $2,278 more per year; $54,398.00 vs. $52,120.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Luther College than at University of St Thomas (100% vs. 95%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Luther College students is 15% larger than aid received by University of St Thomas students ($40,917 vs. $35,587).

Luther- Norse vs. University of St Thomas Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of St Thomas (1340) is 100 points higher than at Luther- Norse (1240).
• Incoming University of St Thomas students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (27 vs. 25 at Luther- Norse).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Luther College 1078/1406; University of St Thomas 1260/1423.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Luther College 22/29; University of St Thomas 25/30.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Luther- Norse - Test optional; University of St Thomas - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: University of St Thomas Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Luther- Norse students have a 0.02 point higher average high school GPA (3.65) than students at University of St Thomas (3.63).
• University of St Thomas has a higher acceptance rate (85.4%) than Luther- Norse (71.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 19.9% at Luther- Norse vs. 20.8% at University of St Thomas.

Luther- Norse vs. University of St Thomas Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Luther- Norse and University of St Thomas? 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).

• University of St Thomas's six-year graduation rate (74%) is higher than Luther College's (69%).
• Graduates from University of St Thomas earn a median of about $12,000 more per year than Luther- Norse graduates about ten years after starting college ($62,000 vs. $50,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of St Thomas graduates have a $1,000 lower median loan debt than Luther- Norse graduates ($26,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, University of St Thomas graduates have an estimated $11 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Luther- Norse graduates ($268 vs. $279).
• More Luther- Norse graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former University of St Thomas students, three years after graduation. (82% vs. 80%)

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.