Iowa vs. Luther- Norse

Comparable Facts

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

University of Iowa is larger than Luther- Norse based on total student enrollment (30,779 students vs. 1,384 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Iowa vs. Luther- Norse Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Iowa or Luther- Norse? 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 Iowa than Luther- Norse ($21,765 vs. $24,511).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Luther College are 10.8% lower than at University of Iowa ($11,530 vs. $12,920).
• Luther College is 361.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Iowa (about $40,837 more per year; $52,120.00 vs. $11,283.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 56.2% higher at Luther- Norse than at University of Iowa (about $18,749 more per year; $52,120.00 vs. $33,371.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Luther College than at University of Iowa (100% vs. 76%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Luther College students is 314.8% larger than aid received by University of Iowa students ($40,917 vs. $9,865).

Iowa vs. Luther- Norse Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Luther College (1240) is 10 points higher than at Iowa (1230).
• Incoming Luther- Norse students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (25 vs. 24 at Iowa).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Iowa 1130/1330; Luther College 1078/1406.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Iowa 21/28; Luther College 22/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Iowa - Test optional; Luther- Norse - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Iowa May 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Iowa students have a 0.16 point higher average high school GPA (3.81) than students at Luther- Norse (3.65).
• Iowa has a higher acceptance rate (83.6%) than Luther- Norse (71.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 22.4% at Iowa vs. 19.9% at Luther- Norse.

Iowa vs. Luther- Norse Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Iowa and Luther- Norse? 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 Iowa's six-year graduation rate (71%) is higher than Luther College's (69%).
• Graduates from University of Iowa earn a median of about $9,800 more per year than Luther- Norse graduates about ten years after starting college ($59,800 vs. $50,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Iowa graduates have a $5,384 lower median loan debt than Luther- Norse graduates ($21,616 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Iowa graduates have an estimated $56 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Luther- Norse graduates ($223 vs. $279).
• More Luther- Norse graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Iowa 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.