Luther- Norse Admission Requirements

7/10 Overall Rating
4 Year
Decorah, IA
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#3 Best Private Colleges in Iowa

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Luther- Norse Admission Overview

Luther- Norse admission requirements are moderately competitive. Last year Luther- Norse admitted 71.5% of applicants. Enrolled freshmen typically had about a 3.65 GPA (A-) and SAT 1078-1406 / ACT 22-29. Luther- Norse is test-optional, so you choose whether to send SAT or ACT. Those figures describe last year's class, not a score you must hit.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Luther- Norse is test-optional. You choose whether to send SAT or ACT.

Source: IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Luther- Norse Acceptance Rate

Admission Rate & Difficulty

Acceptance rate

71.5%

Admission Standards

Difficult

Applicant Competition

Low

Very Low

Low

Average

High

Very High

Extreme

Acceptance Rate

The Luther- Norse acceptance rate is 71.5%. Last year, 1,883 of 2,632 applicants were admitted. That is the 10th lowest acceptance rate in Iowa.

Admission Selectivity

How hard is it to get into Luther- Norse and can you get accepted?

Luther- Norse is a moderately competitive school to get into, admitting a large majority of applicants. You have a strong chance of acceptance if you meet last year's profile. Getting an offer is relatively likely compared with more selective schools, but last year's class still posted a strong academic profile.

Luther College typically attracts "A-" average high school students with an average GPA around 3.65. Most incoming freshmen graduate in the top half of their high school class. 20% of those admitted chose to enroll.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Luther- Norse GPA

GPA of enrolled freshmen

Avg. High School GPA

3.65

Typical High School Grades

A-

Average GPA (4.0 Scale) 3.65

0.0 1.0 2.0 3.0 4.0

Average GPA

Enrolled freshmen at Luther- Norse typically have around a 3.65 GPA (A-) on a 4.0 scale. That is last year's class average, not a cutoff. Enrolled students typically have very good grades in high school. Luther- Norse is test-optional. If you withhold SAT or ACT, GPA carries more weight.

The school ranks #7 in Iowa for highest average GPA.

See additional colleges accepting applicants in the 3.6 GPA range.

Competitiveness by GPA Ranges

Share of last year's freshmen in each GPA range, compared with the rest of the class.

High school GPA ranges for enrolled Luther College freshmen
High School GPA	Freshmen Within Range	Competitiveness
4.0	18.0%	Good
3.75 to 3.99	28.0%	Avg +
3.50 to 3.74	18.0%	Avg -
3.25 to 3.49	19.0%	Reach
3.00 to 3.24	9.0%	Reach
2.50 to 2.99	7.0%	Reach
2.00 to 2.49	1.0%	Low
1.00 to 1.99	0%	Low
less than 1.00	0%	Low

What do these figures mean?

GPA Data Source, Peterson's Data 2024

Luther- Norse SAT Scores

SAT scores of enrolled freshmen

SAT Range

1078-1406

Freshmen who sent SAT

25th Percentile Scores

Reading 550
Math 528
Composite 1078

75th Percentile Scores

Reading 668
Math 738
Composite 1406

Average SAT

Enrolled testers at Luther- Norse typically score around a 1240 SAT (middle 50% 1078–1406) out of 1600. That is last year's class, not a cutoff. The average SAT of enrolled testers is about the 81st percentile nationally. Luther- Norse ranks #2 in the state of Iowa for highest average SAT composite score.

SAT Range (25th-75th Percentile) 1078 to 1406

800 1000 1200 1400 1600

SAT policy

Luther- Norse is test-optional. You choose whether to send SAT. If you send a score, it is considered.

View other colleges which accept students in the 1240 SAT score range.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

How SAT scores compare with last year's enrolled testers

This table compares SAT ranges with last year's enrolled testers and the school's acceptance rate. It is not a personal chance of admission. If you withhold SAT, skip this table.

SAT ranges vs last year's enrolled testers at Luther College
SAT Score (1600 scale)	Competitiveness	Admission Chances
1406+	Above 75th	>83%
1240 to 1406	Avg +	72%-83%
1078 to 1240	Avg -	58%-72%
Below 1078	Below mid-50	<58%

What do these figures mean?

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Luther- Norse ACT Scores

ACT scores among enrolled freshmen

ACT Range

22-29

Freshmen reporting ACT

17%

25th Percentile Scores

English 20
Math 20
Composite 22

75th Percentile Scores

English 29
Math 28
Composite 29

Average ACT

Incoming testers at Luther- Norse typically have around a 25 ACT (mid-50 22–29) on the 36 scale. That reflects last year's enrolled testers, not a cutoff. That average sits near the 78th percentile of ACT takers nationwide. Luther- Norse places #7 among colleges in Iowa for highest average ACT composite.

ACT Range (25th-75th Percentile) 22 to 29

1 9 18 27 36

ACT policy

You may apply to Luther- Norse without ACT. A score you do send is still reviewed.

See colleges with similar ACT profiles in the 25.0 ACT score range.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

How ACT scores compare with last year's enrolled testers

This table compares ACT ranges with last year's enrolled testers and the school's acceptance rate. They are not your individual odds. If you leave ACT off your application, you can skip this table.

ACT bands compared with last year's enrolled testers at Luther College
ACT Score (36 scale)	Competitiveness	Admission Chances
29+	Above 75th	>84%
25 to 29	Avg +	72%-84%
22 to 25	Avg -	60%-72%
Below 22	Below mid-50	<60%

How to read these figures

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

High School Class Rank

Class Rank of Admitted Students

85% of Luther College freshman are in the top half of their high school graduating class and 49% are in the top quarter.

High School Class Rank for admitted Luther College students
High School Class Rank	Freshmen Within Range
Top 10% of class	25%
Top 25% of class	49%
Top 50% of class	85%

Data Source, Peterson's Data

Estimate How You Compare

See how your GPA and scores compare with last year's enrolled testers. You can mark that you will withhold scores.

Open the Luther- Norse chances calculator

Applying

Admission Statistics

Admission and enrollment rates by gender are detailed in the table below.

Luther College admission statistics
	Women	Men	Total
Applied	1,069	1,561	2,632
Accepted	802	1,080	1,883
Acceptance Rate	75%	69%	72%
Enrolled	169	206	375
Percent of Admitted Who Enrolled (Admission Yield)	21%	19%	20%

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Application Requirements

What are the requirements for admission to Luther College and what student information is used for admission decisions?

Luther College application requirements
Requirement	Used for Admission
Test Scores	Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
High School GPA	Required to be considered for admission
High School Class Rank	Not required for admission, but considered if submitted
Completion of College Preparatory Program	Not required for admission, but considered if submitted
Recommendations	Not required for admission, but considered if submitted
Demonstration of Competencies	Not considered for admission, even if submitted

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Application Fee

The cost for prospective students to apply to Luther College is $0. The school is free to apply to.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Credits Accepted

High school credits accepted at Luther College
Credit Type	Accepted
AP Credit	Yes
Dual Credit	Yes
Credit for Life Experiences	No

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Admission summary

Luther- Norse is test-optional for 2024-25. Last year it admitted 71.5% of applicants. Enrolled freshmen typically had about a 3.65 GPA (about an A- average). Send SAT/ACT if you are at or above this campus mid-50 (1078-1406); otherwise withhold. Mid-50 scores, where shown, are enrolled testers, not cutoffs.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025