Luther- Norse vs. Wisconsin

Comparable Facts

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

University of Wisconsin Madison is larger than Luther- Norse based on total student enrollment (51,044 students vs. 1,384 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Luther College is located in Decorah, IA (Remote Town setting); University of Wisconsin Madison is in Madison, WI (Midsize City setting).
• Luther College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Wisconsin Madison is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Luther College 9:1; University of Wisconsin Madison 18:1.

Luther- Norse vs. Wisconsin Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Luther- Norse or Wisconsin? 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 Wisconsin Madison than Luther- Norse ($14,235 vs. $24,511).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Luther College are 18.4% lower than at University of Wisconsin Madison ($11,530 vs. $14,124).
• Luther College is 349.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Wisconsin (about $40,517 more per year; $52,120.00 vs. $11,603.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 23.8% higher at Luther- Norse than at University of Wisconsin Madison (about $10,017 more per year; $52,120.00 vs. $42,103.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Luther College than at University of Wisconsin Madison (100% vs. 35%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Luther College students is 130.6% larger than aid received by University of Wisconsin Madison students ($40,917 vs. $17,741).

Luther- Norse vs. Wisconsin Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Wisconsin Madison (1450) is 210 points higher than at Luther- Norse (1240).
• Incoming Wisconsin 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; University of Wisconsin Madison 1380/1520.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Luther College 22/29; University of Wisconsin Madison 29/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Luther- Norse - Test optional; Wisconsin - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Wisconsin Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Wisconsin students have a 0.23 point higher average high school GPA (3.88) than students at Luther- Norse (3.65).
• Luther- Norse has a higher acceptance rate (71.5%) than Wisconsin (45.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 19.9% at Luther- Norse vs. 28.6% at Wisconsin.

Luther- Norse vs. Wisconsin Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

• University of Wisconsin Madison's six-year graduation rate (82%) is higher than Luther College's (69%).
• Graduates from University of Wisconsin Madison earn a median of about $14,800 more per year than Luther- Norse graduates about ten years after starting college ($64,800 vs. $50,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Wisconsin Madison graduates have a $4,750 lower median loan debt than Luther- Norse graduates ($22,250 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Wisconsin graduates have an estimated $49 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Luther- Norse graduates ($230 vs. $279).
• More Wisconsin 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.