Overview
Enrollment
Best Colleges Rank
| Location | Decorah, Iowa |
| Online | luther.edu |
| School Type | Private 4 Year |
| Setting | Remote Town |
| Religious Affiliation | Evangelical Lutheran Church |
| Size | Small |
| Status | Non-profit |
| On Campus Housing | Yes |
| Level of Study | Undergrad |
Luther College, a private liberal arts institution affiliated with the Lutheran Church (ELCA), sits on a 175-acre campus in the scenic bluff country of northeastern Iowa, located in the town of Decorah. The hilltop campus, established in 1861, features distinctive Norwegian-influenced architecture and overlooks the Upper Iowa River valley. Luther maintains a selective admission process and offers a traditional liberal arts curriculum with particularly strong programs in music, biology, and Nordic studies, while its music program is widely recognized for its touring ensembles and annual "Christmas at Luther" performances. The college requires students to live on campus for their first three years, housing them in traditional residence halls and apartment-style complexes. As an NCAA Division III institution, Luther competes in the American Rivers Conference, with notable programs in wrestling and cross country.
Ratings
Overall
Academics
Resources
Outcomes
Value
Luther- Norse is rated within the top 38% of four-year colleges nationally and earns a CollegeSimply grade of 7 out of 10. Learn how ratings are calculated
Rankings
Rankings for Luther College within the 2024 CollegeSimply Best Colleges Lists.
#336 in Best Colleges in the U.S.
#246 in Best Private Colleges in the U.S.
#4 in Best Colleges in Iowa
#3 in Best Private Colleges in Iowa
#168 in Best Value Colleges in the U.S.
#5 in Best Value Colleges in Iowa
View the CollegeSimply ranking methodology.
Getting In
Admission Standards
| SAT | 1075/1330 |
| ACT | 22/29 |
| GPA | 3.65 |
Applications Accepted
| Applications Due | - |
| Applicant Competition | Very Low |
| Application Fee | $0 |
Annual Cost to Attend
Tuition
| Fee | Cost |
|---|---|
| Books and Supplies | $1,040 |
| Other Fees | $650 |
| Room and Board | $10,670 |
| Budget for Other Expenses | $3,015 |
| Total One Year Cost | $62,885 |
Outcomes
Average Salary After 10 Years
Bachelor's Degree Graduation Rate
Popular Areas of Study
| Subject | Percent of Class |
|---|---|
| Business | 13% |
| Social Sciences | 12% |
| Visual and Performing Arts | 11% |
| Biology | 10% |
| Foreign Languages | 6% |
Other Colleges to Consider
Students considering Luther- Norse are frequently interested in these similar colleges.
Primary data source, U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=153834 IPEDS survey data for Luther College.
Current students may use the Luther College GPA calculator to determine their current college GPA.
Last updated February 24, 2024