Luther- Norse vs. Dickinson College

Comparable Facts

Compare Luther College in Decorah, IA with Dickinson College in Carlisle, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Dickinson College is larger than Luther- Norse based on total student enrollment (2,314 students vs. 1,384 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Luther College is located in Decorah, IA (Remote Town setting); Dickinson College is in Carlisle, PA (Distant Town setting).
• Luther College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Dickinson College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Luther College 9:1; Dickinson College 11:1.

Luther- Norse vs. Dickinson College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Luther- Norse or Dickinson College? 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 Dickinson College ($24,511 vs. $38,483).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Luther College are 32.6% lower than at Dickinson College ($11,530 vs. $17,100).
• Dickinson College is 26% more expensive for in-state tuition than Luther- Norse (about $13,530 more per year; $65,650.00 vs. $52,120.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 26% higher at Dickinson College than at Luther College (about $13,530 more per year; $65,650.00 vs. $52,120.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Luther College than at Dickinson College (100% vs. 96%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Dickinson College students is 8.7% larger than aid received by Luther College students ($44,479 vs. $40,917).

Luther- Norse vs. Dickinson College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Luther- Norse or Dickinson College? 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 Dickinson College and Luther- Norse.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Dickinson College (1390) is 150 points higher than at Luther- Norse (1240).
• Incoming Dickinson College students have a 6 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (31 vs. 25 at Luther- Norse).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Luther College 1078/1406; Dickinson College 1310/1460.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Luther College 22/29; Dickinson College 30/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Luther- Norse - Test optional; Dickinson College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Dickinson College Jan 15, 2027.
• Luther- Norse has a higher acceptance rate (71.5%) than Dickinson College (42.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 19.9% at Luther- Norse vs. 21.1% at Dickinson College.

Luther- Norse vs. Dickinson College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Luther- Norse and Dickinson College? 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).

• Dickinson College's six-year graduation rate (84%) is higher than Luther College's (69%).
• Graduates from Dickinson College earn a median of about $12,000 more per year than Luther- Norse graduates about ten years after starting college ($62,000 vs. $50,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Dickinson College graduates have a $6,000 lower median loan debt than Luther- Norse graduates ($21,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Dickinson College graduates have an estimated $62 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Luther- Norse graduates ($217 vs. $279).
• More Dickinson College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Luther- Norse students, three years after graduation. (89% 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.