Luther- Norse vs. F&M

Comparable Facts

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

Franklin and Marshall College is larger than Luther- Norse based on total student enrollment (1,808 students vs. 1,384 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Luther College is located in Decorah, IA (Remote Town setting); Franklin and Marshall College is in Lancaster, PA (Small City setting).
• Luther College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Franklin and Marshall College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Luther College 9:1; Franklin and Marshall College 9:1.

Luther- Norse vs. F&M Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Luther- Norse or F&M? 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 F&M ($24,511 vs. $43,987).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Luther College are 28.8% lower than at Franklin and Marshall College ($11,530 vs. $16,188).
• Franklin and Marshall College is 35.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than Luther- Norse (about $18,674 more per year; $70,794.00 vs. $52,120.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 35.8% higher at F&M than at Luther College (about $18,674 more per year; $70,794.00 vs. $52,120.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Luther College than at Franklin and Marshall College (100% vs. 80%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Franklin and Marshall College students is 2.4% larger than aid received by Luther College students ($41,901 vs. $40,917).

Luther- Norse vs. F&M Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Luther- Norse or F&M? 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 F&M and Luther- Norse.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Franklin and Marshall College (1390) is 150 points higher than at Luther- Norse (1240).
• Incoming F&M 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; Franklin and Marshall College 1310/1463.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Luther College 22/29; Franklin and Marshall College 30/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Luther- Norse - Test optional; F&M - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: F&M Jan 15, 2027.
• Luther- Norse has a higher acceptance rate (71.5%) than F&M (28.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 19.9% at Luther- Norse vs. 17.1% at F&M.

Luther- Norse vs. F&M Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Luther- Norse and F&M? 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).

• Franklin and Marshall College's six-year graduation rate (85%) is higher than Luther College's (69%).
• Graduates from Franklin and Marshall College earn a median of about $11,900 more per year than Luther- Norse graduates about ten years after starting college ($61,900 vs. $50,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Franklin and Marshall College graduates have a $5,000 lower median loan debt than Luther- Norse graduates ($22,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, F&M graduates have an estimated $52 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Luther- Norse graduates ($227 vs. $279).
• More F&M graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Luther- Norse students, three years after graduation. (88% 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.