Illinois vs. Luther- Norse

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Illinois Urbana Champaign in Champaign, IL with Luther College in Decorah, IA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Illinois Urbana Champaign is larger than Luther- Norse based on total student enrollment (59,238 students vs. 1,384 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Illinois Urbana Champaign is located in Champaign, IL (Small City setting); Luther College is in Decorah, IA (Remote Town setting).
• University of Illinois Urbana Champaign is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Luther College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Illinois Urbana Champaign 20:1; Luther College 9:1.

Illinois vs. Luther- Norse Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Illinois or Luther- Norse? 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 Illinois Urbana Champaign than Luther- Norse ($13,973 vs. $24,511).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Luther College are 20.6% lower than at University of Illinois Urbana Champaign ($11,530 vs. $14,522).
• Luther College is 225.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Illinois (about $36,116 more per year; $52,120.00 vs. $16,004.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 48.4% higher at Luther- Norse than at University of Illinois Urbana Champaign (about $16,996 more per year; $52,120.00 vs. $35,124.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Luther College than at University of Illinois Urbana Champaign (100% vs. 52%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Luther College students is 112% larger than aid received by University of Illinois Urbana Champaign students ($40,917 vs. $19,299).

Illinois vs. Luther- Norse Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Illinois Urbana Champaign (1420) is 180 points higher than at Luther- Norse (1240).
• Incoming Illinois students have a 7 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (32 vs. 25 at Luther- Norse).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Illinois Urbana Champaign 1310/1520; Luther College 1078/1406.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Illinois Urbana Champaign 30/34; Luther College 22/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Illinois - Test optional; Luther- Norse - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Illinois Jan 5, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Illinois students have a 0.14 point higher average high school GPA (3.79) than students at Luther- Norse (3.65).
• Luther- Norse has a higher acceptance rate (71.5%) than Illinois (42.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 28.8% at Illinois vs. 19.9% at Luther- Norse.

Illinois vs. Luther- Norse Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Illinois and Luther- Norse? 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 Illinois Urbana Champaign's six-year graduation rate (82%) is higher than Luther College's (69%).
• Graduates from University of Illinois Urbana Champaign earn a median of about $16,500 more per year than Luther- Norse graduates about ten years after starting college ($66,500 vs. $50,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Illinois Urbana Champaign graduates have a $6,500 lower median loan debt than Luther- Norse graduates ($20,500 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Illinois graduates have an estimated $68 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Luther- Norse graduates ($211 vs. $279).
• More Luther- Norse graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Illinois students, three years after graduation. (82% vs. 78%)

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.