Acceptance Rate
72%
Avg. SAT
1406
75th percentile
“Norwegian-rooted liberal arts college in Iowa bluffs, where choirs tour the world and students bond over riverside hikes.”
Decorah, IA
Location
Town
Campus Setting
Luther College traces its roots to 1861, when Norwegian immigrants established it in Decorah to preserve their Lutheran faith and culture amid a new homeland. The campus reflects that heritage through architecture like the stone Main building and proximity to the Vesterheim Norwegian-American Museum. Students who thrive here love small-town life, close professor relationships, and a collaborative spirit—think earnest Midwesterners who join choirs or kayak the Upper Iowa River on weekends. Those seeking urban energy or massive sports scenes might feel isolated in this remote town of 8,000, where winters bring snow and the nearest major city sits hours away. Decorah offers bike trails, fly-fishing, and folk schools, but high tuition plus Midwest living costs demand careful budgeting.
Photo Gallery
+37
+29
Admissions
Acceptance Rate
Test Policy
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Average GPA
Application Fee
Academics
Student-Faculty Ratio
Programs Offered
Full-Time Faculty
Women Faculty
Research Spending
Degree Levels Offered
With a 10-to-1 student-faculty ratio, you'll sit in seminars where professors know your name and push discussions on ethics or ecosystems. Music stands out, especially vocal programs where Nordic Choir members rehearse daily and perform abroad; biology and nursing draw field researchers to local rivers and prairies. Classrooms buzz with service-learning projects, like tutoring in town, and a third of students study overseas. Large intro lectures stay rare thanks to the 1,800 undergrads, though popular majors like business fill quickly, limiting spots for upperclassmen. Research pairs undergrads with faculty on grants, but the small size means fewer niche electives than at bigger schools.
Student Body
Total Enrollment
1,384 undergrad • 0 grad
Undergraduate
Graduate
International
White
73%
Black / African American
4%
Hispanic / Latino
6%
Asian
2%
Other / Multi-racial
15%
Campus Life
Campus Setting
Decorah, IA
Varsity Athletics
NCAA Athletics
Campus hums with 100 clubs, from ultimate frisbee to debate, and traditions like the Paideia festival where everyone gathers for speakers and feasts. Residential life clusters freshmen in lively dorms, then scatters upperclassmen into houses with kitchens for potlucks. Weekends mix bonfires, coffee shop hangs, and choir gigs; the social scene stays tame, with house parties over bars. Cold, snowy winters test resolve but fuel cabin fever cures like sledding bluffs. The remote setting fosters tight bonds but means planning trips for big concerts or shopping.
Housing
On-Campus Housing
Housing Capacity
Meal Plan Available
Average Room & Board
Athletics
Athletic Association
American Rivers Conference
ROTC & Veteran Support
Veteran’s Programs Available
Yellow Ribbon Program (Post-9/11 GI Bill)
Yes
Cost & Aid
In-State Tuition
Out-of-State Tuition
Room & Board
Estimated Cost
Financial Aid
Students Receiving Aid
Receiving Pell Grants
Average Grant
Average Federal Loan
Net Annual Cost by Household Income
Household Income
Avg. Net Cost
$0 – $30K
$18,770
$30K – $48K
$18,668
$48K – $75K
$21,741
$75K – $110K
$23,935
$110K+
$30,286
Apply for Financial Aid
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Costs shown are before financial aid. Most students receive some form of aid. Complete the FAFSA to see what you qualify for.
Outcomes & Earnings
Retention Rate
77%
4 Years Graduation Rate
67%
6 Years Graduation Rate
73%
Median 10-Year Earnings
$59,850
77% of first-time, full-time students complete their freshman year at Luther College and return in the fall. 67% of first-time, full-time students graduate in 4 years, and 73% graduate within 6 years.
Graduation Rate
4-year grads
67%
4-6 years
6%
Non-grad
27%
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Key Statistics
Type
Private
Tuition
$47,510
Acceptance
72%
Undergrads
1,384
4-Year Grad Rate
67%
Endowment
$182M
Decorah, IA 52101-1045
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