Luther College: A Parent's Guide to Admissions, Cost & Outcomes
Decorah, Iowa · Private nonprofit · Moderately selective
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Luther College is a private nonprofit university in Decorah, Iowa that admits about 72% of applicants, making it a moderately selective school. The average family pays about $23,097 a year after financial aid, which matters more than the published sticker price. It is best known for Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing, Music and Biology, General, its largest undergraduate programs by number of graduates. Its most recent Clery Act report shows roughly 2.9 criminal offenses per 1,000 students.
Luther College is a private institution located in Decorah, Iowa with a moderately selective admissions profile. For the most recent reporting cycle, Luther College admits about half to three-quarters of applicants, with an overall admission rate of 72%. Admitted students typically post an average SAT of 1218 and an ACT composite around 26. The average net price after grants and scholarships is $23,097 per year, which is the figure most families actually pay rather than the published sticker price.
What GPA does my child need for Luther College?
Luther College admits students with a wide GPA range, but most successful applicants present an unweighted GPA of 3.3 or higher with a college-prep curriculum.
SAT and ACT scores Luther College typically admits
The middle-50 SAT Math range is 528–738, with an EBRW midpoint near 579. The middle-50 ACT composite range is 22–29. Many applicants here submit scores; even slightly below the average can be competitive when combined with a strong GPA and curriculum.
How much does Luther College actually cost?
Published tuition is $52,120 for in-state students and $52,120 for out-of-state, before grants and scholarships. Room and board adds roughly $11,530 annually. After need-based and merit aid, the average family pays a net price of $23,097 per year — the number that actually matters for budgeting. Roughly 20% of students receive Pell Grants.
Most popular majors at Luther College
The most popular undergraduate programs at Luther College, measured by the number of students who actually graduate each year, are Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing, Music and Biology, General. Across all programs, Luther College confers roughly 242 bachelor's degrees a year. Graduates of its Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing program report a median income of about $74,923 five years after entering college. What these figures mean
| Major | Graduates / year | Median earnings (5 yrs out) |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | 40 | $74,923 |
| Music | 37 | $47,981 |
| Biology, General | 36 | $63,171 |
| Research and Experimental Psychology | 30 | — |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | 30 | $61,587 |
| English Language and Literature, General | 24 | $43,688 |
| Accounting and Related Services | 23 | $90,836 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | 22 | $47,368 |
Is Luther College safe? Campus crime & safety
In its most recent Clery Act report (2024), Luther College disclosed 4 total criminal offenses across its campus and surrounding public property, about 2.9 per 1,000 students. That figure includes 0 violent offenses and 4 reported sexual assaults or VAWA offenses. Why per-1,000 rates, not counts
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Common questions parents ask about Luther College
What GPA do I need for Luther College?
Luther College admits students with a wide GPA range, but most successful applicants present an unweighted GPA of 3.3 or higher with a college-prep curriculum.
What SAT or ACT score does Luther College typically admit?
The middle-50 SAT Math range is 528–738, with an EBRW midpoint near 579. The middle-50 ACT composite range is 22–29.
How much does Luther College actually cost after financial aid?
The average net price at Luther College after grants and scholarships is $23,097 per year, against a published in-state tuition of $52,120. Budget against the net figure.
Is Luther College realistic for my child?
Luther College admits 72% of applicants, so 528–738 SAT Math is target range and below 528 is a reach. Then check the $23,097 average net price against what your family can carry.
What is the acceptance rate at Luther College?
Luther College accepts about 72% of applicants. That makes it a moderately selective school.
Is Luther College a public or private school, and where is it located?
Luther College is a private nonprofit institution located in Decorah, Iowa.
What are the most popular majors at Luther College?
The largest undergraduate majors at Luther College by annual graduates are Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing, Music and Biology, General. The school awards about 242 bachelor's degrees a year in total. These figures come from federal IPEDS completion data.
Is Luther College safe? What is its campus crime rate?
Luther College reported 4 total criminal offenses in its most recent Clery Act disclosure (2024), roughly 2.9 per 1,000 students. Compare the per-1,000 rate rather than the raw total, since larger schools report more incidents.
Sources: the College Scorecard and IPEDS, and Clery Act disclosures. What each source covers