Luther- Norse vs. University of Minnesota-Rochester

Comparable Facts

Compare Luther College in Decorah, IA with University of Minnesota Rochester in Rochester, MN on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Luther College is larger than University of Minnesota-Rochester based on total student enrollment (1,384 students vs. 578 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Luther College is located in Decorah, IA (Remote Town setting); University of Minnesota Rochester is in Rochester, MN (Midsize City setting).
• Luther College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Minnesota Rochester is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Luther College 9:1; University of Minnesota Rochester 13:1.

Luther- Norse vs. University of Minnesota-Rochester Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Luther- Norse or University of Minnesota-Rochester? 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 University of Minnesota Rochester than Luther- Norse ($14,953 vs. $24,511).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Luther College are 17.6% lower than at University of Minnesota Rochester ($11,530 vs. $13,994).
• Luther College is 247.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than University of Minnesota-Rochester (about $37,104 more per year; $52,120.00 vs. $15,016.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 247.1% higher at Luther- Norse than at University of Minnesota Rochester (about $37,104 more per year; $52,120.00 vs. $15,016.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Luther College than at University of Minnesota Rochester (100% vs. 78%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Luther College students is 191.1% larger than aid received by University of Minnesota Rochester students ($40,917 vs. $14,057).

Luther- Norse vs. University of Minnesota-Rochester Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Luther- Norse or University of Minnesota-Rochester? Typical SAT and ACT scores (midpoint estimates from the mid-50% ranges in the table above), enrolled-tester score ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between University of Minnesota-Rochester and Luther- Norse.

• The typical SAT score (midpoint estimate) at Luther College (1240) is 70 points higher than at University of Minnesota-Rochester (1170).
• Incoming Luther- Norse students have the same typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate; 25) as students at University of Minnesota-Rochester (25).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Luther College 1078/1406; University of Minnesota Rochester 950/1380.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Luther College 22/29; University of Minnesota Rochester 21/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Luther- Norse - Test optional; University of Minnesota-Rochester - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: University of Minnesota-Rochester Jul 31, 2027.
• Luther- Norse has a higher acceptance rate (71.5%) than University of Minnesota-Rochester (71%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 19.9% at Luther- Norse vs. 20.3% at University of Minnesota-Rochester.

Luther- Norse vs. University of Minnesota-Rochester Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Luther- Norse and University of Minnesota-Rochester? Where federal data is available for both schools, the bullets below compare graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt using the same College Scorecard / IPEDS fields as the comparison table. If a metric is missing for one school, that school is noted separately.

• Luther College's six-year graduation rate is 69%. Comparable graduation rate data is not available for University of Minnesota-Rochester.
• Graduates from University of Minnesota Rochester earn a median of about $8,200 more per year than Luther- Norse graduates about ten years after starting college ($58,200 vs. $50,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Minnesota Rochester graduates have a $6,815 lower median loan debt than Luther- Norse graduates ($20,185 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, University of Minnesota-Rochester graduates have an estimated $71 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Luther- Norse graduates ($208 vs. $279).
• More Luther- Norse graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former University of Minnesota-Rochester students, three years after graduation. (82% vs. 74%)

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.