Luther- Norse vs. Wartburg College

Comparable Facts

Compare Luther College in Decorah, IA with Wartburg College in Waverly, IA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Wartburg College is larger than Luther- Norse based on total student enrollment (1,483 students vs. 1,384 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Luther College is located in Decorah, IA (Remote Town setting); Wartburg College is in Waverly, IA (Distant Town setting).
• Luther College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Wartburg College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Luther College 9:1; Wartburg College 13:1.

Luther- Norse vs. Wartburg College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Luther- Norse or Wartburg College? 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 Wartburg College than Luther- Norse ($24,031 vs. $24,511).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Luther College are 1.9% lower than at Wartburg College ($11,530 vs. $11,750).
• Luther College is 98.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Wartburg College (about $25,870 more per year; $52,120.00 vs. $26,250.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 98.6% higher at Luther- Norse than at Wartburg College (about $25,870 more per year; $52,120.00 vs. $26,250.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Luther College than at Wartburg College (100% vs. 97%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Luther College students is 1.4% larger than aid received by Wartburg College students ($40,917 vs. $40,336).

Luther- Norse vs. Wartburg College Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Luther College (1240) is 170 points higher than at Wartburg College (1070).
• Incoming Luther- Norse students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (25 vs. 24 at Wartburg College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Luther College 1078/1406; Wartburg College 930/1200.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Luther College 22/29; Wartburg College 21/27.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Luther- Norse - Test optional; Wartburg College - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Luther- Norse students have a 0.17 point higher average high school GPA (3.65) than students at Wartburg College (3.48).
• Wartburg College has a higher acceptance rate (75.8%) than Luther- Norse (71.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 19.9% at Luther- Norse vs. 16.6% at Wartburg College.

Luther- Norse vs. Wartburg College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Luther- Norse and Wartburg College? 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 Wartburg College's (63%).
• Graduates from Luther College earn a median of about $1,900 more per year than Wartburg College graduates about ten years after starting college ($50,000 vs. $48,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Wartburg College and Luther- Norse graduates have the same median loan debt ($27,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers in the federal data, Wartburg College and Luther- Norse graduates have the same median monthly federal student loan payment ($279 vs. $279).
• More Luther- Norse graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Wartburg College students, three years after graduation. (82% vs. 81%)

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.