Luther- Norse vs. Sarah Lawrence

Comparable Facts

Compare Luther College in Decorah, IA with Sarah Lawrence College in Bronxville, NY on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Sarah Lawrence College is larger than Luther- Norse based on total student enrollment (1,798 students vs. 1,384 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Luther College is located in Decorah, IA (Remote Town setting); Sarah Lawrence College is in Bronxville, NY (Large Suburban setting).
• Luther College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Sarah Lawrence College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Luther College 9:1; Sarah Lawrence College 10:1.

Luther- Norse vs. Sarah Lawrence Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Luther- Norse or Sarah Lawrence? 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 Sarah Lawrence ($24,511 vs. $43,629).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Luther College are 37.4% lower than at Sarah Lawrence College ($11,530 vs. $18,426).
• Sarah Lawrence College is 28.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Luther- Norse (about $14,742 more per year; $66,862.00 vs. $52,120.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 28.3% higher at Sarah Lawrence than at Luther College (about $14,742 more per year; $66,862.00 vs. $52,120.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Luther College than at Sarah Lawrence College (100% vs. 90%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Luther College students is 5.4% larger than aid received by Sarah Lawrence College students ($40,917 vs. $38,838).

Luther- Norse vs. Sarah Lawrence Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Luther- Norse or Sarah Lawrence? 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 Sarah Lawrence and Luther- Norse.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Sarah Lawrence College (1340) is 100 points higher than at Luther- Norse (1240).
• Incoming Sarah Lawrence students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (29 vs. 25 at Luther- Norse).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Luther College 1078/1406; Sarah Lawrence College 1240/1430.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Luther College 22/29; Sarah Lawrence College 28/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Luther- Norse - Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional); Sarah Lawrence - Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional).
• Typical fall application deadline: Sarah Lawrence Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Sarah Lawrence students have a 0.1 point higher average high school GPA (3.75) than students at Luther- Norse (3.65).
• Luther- Norse has a higher acceptance rate (71.5%) than Sarah Lawrence (61.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 19.9% at Luther- Norse vs. 14.6% at Sarah Lawrence.

Luther- Norse vs. Sarah Lawrence Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Luther- Norse and Sarah Lawrence? 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).

• Sarah Lawrence College's six-year graduation rate (70%) is higher than Luther College's (69%).
• Graduates from Luther College earn a median of about $5,900 more per year than Sarah Lawrence graduates about ten years after starting college ($50,000 vs. $44,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Sarah Lawrence College graduates have a $13,500 lower median loan debt than Luther- Norse graduates ($13,500 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Sarah Lawrence graduates have an estimated $140 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Luther- Norse graduates ($139 vs. $279).
• More Sarah Lawrence graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Luther- Norse students, three years after graduation. (83% 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.