Westmont College vs. Luther- Norse

Comparable Facts

Compare Westmont College in Santa Barbara, CA with Luther College in Decorah, IA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Luther College is larger than Westmont College based on total student enrollment (1,384 students vs. 1,310 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Westmont College is located in Santa Barbara, CA (Midsize Suburban setting); Luther College is in Decorah, IA (Remote Town setting).
• Westmont College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Luther College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Westmont College 10:1; Luther College 9:1.

Westmont College vs. Luther- Norse Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Westmont College 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 Luther College than Westmont College ($24,511 vs. $32,172).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Luther College are 32% lower than at Westmont College ($11,530 vs. $16,960).
• Westmont College is 2.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than Luther- Norse (about $1,464 more per year; $53,584.00 vs. $52,120.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 2.8% higher at Westmont College than at Luther College (about $1,464 more per year; $53,584.00 vs. $52,120.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Westmont College as at Luther College (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Luther College students is 5% larger than aid received by Westmont College students ($40,917 vs. $38,956).

Westmont College vs. Luther- Norse Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Westmont College 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 Westmont College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Westmont College (1350) is 110 points higher than at Luther- Norse (1240).
• Incoming Westmont College students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (28 vs. 25 at Luther- Norse).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Westmont College 1240/1450; Luther College 1078/1406.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Westmont College 25/32; Luther College 22/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Westmont College - Test optional; Luther- Norse - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Luther- Norse students have a 0.06 point higher average high school GPA (3.65) than students at Westmont College (3.59).
• Westmont College has a higher acceptance rate (77%) than Luther- Norse (71.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15.9% at Westmont College vs. 19.9% at Luther- Norse.

Westmont College vs. Luther- Norse Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Westmont College 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).

• Westmont College's six-year graduation rate (77%) is higher than Luther College's (69%).
• Graduates from Westmont College earn a median of about $4,600 more per year than Luther- Norse graduates about ten years after starting college ($54,600 vs. $50,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Westmont College graduates have a $1,877 lower median loan debt than Luther- Norse graduates ($25,123 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Westmont College graduates have an estimated $20 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Luther- Norse graduates ($259 vs. $279).
• More Westmont College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Luther- Norse students, three years after graduation. (86% vs. 82%)

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.