Luther- Norse vs. Muhlenberg College

Comparable Facts

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

Muhlenberg College is larger than Luther- Norse based on total student enrollment (1,788 students vs. 1,384 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Luther- Norse vs. Muhlenberg College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Luther- Norse or Muhlenberg 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 Muhlenberg College ($24,511 vs. $34,739).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Luther College are 20.7% lower than at Muhlenberg College ($11,530 vs. $14,548).
• Muhlenberg College is 20.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than Luther- Norse (about $10,685 more per year; $62,805.00 vs. $52,120.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 20.5% higher at Muhlenberg College than at Luther College (about $10,685 more per year; $62,805.00 vs. $52,120.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Luther College than at Muhlenberg College (100% vs. 99%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Muhlenberg College students is 4% larger than aid received by Luther College students ($42,545 vs. $40,917).

Luther- Norse vs. Muhlenberg College Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Muhlenberg College (1330) is 90 points higher than at Luther- Norse (1240).
• Incoming Muhlenberg 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; Muhlenberg College 1250/1410.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Luther College 22/29; Muhlenberg College 29/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Luther- Norse - Test optional; Muhlenberg College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Muhlenberg College Feb 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Luther- Norse students have a 0.21 point higher average high school GPA (3.65) than students at Muhlenberg College (3.44).
• Muhlenberg College has a higher acceptance rate (72%) than Luther- Norse (71.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 19.9% at Luther- Norse vs. 13% at Muhlenberg College.

Luther- Norse vs. Muhlenberg College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Luther- Norse and Muhlenberg 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).

• Muhlenberg College's six-year graduation rate (86%) is higher than Luther College's (69%).
• Graduates from Muhlenberg College earn a median of about $13,700 more per year than Luther- Norse graduates about ten years after starting college ($63,700 vs. $50,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Muhlenberg College graduates have a $510 lower median loan debt than Luther- Norse graduates ($26,490 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Muhlenberg College graduates have an estimated $6 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Luther- Norse graduates ($273 vs. $279).
• More Muhlenberg College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Luther- Norse students, three years after graduation. (84% 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.