Luther College

Private and Coeducational, Luther College Stresses a Foundation of Core Learning for Undergraduate Students

Luther College is a coeducational undergraduate college in the town of Decorah, Iowa. One of the most important focuses of the comprehensive liberal arts education offered by Luther College is its foundational element called "Paideia." The term refers to the ancient Greek term for education and is a first-year undergraduate class that integrates both history and English as literature and writing. It is later resumed as "Paideia II" for single semesters during the junior and senior years. This segment concentrates on the methods of creating ethical choices and thinking. Though a small, private college, Luther offers some of the most diverse undergraduate programs offered by a religious school in Iowa.

Luther College is connected to the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America. The accredited Midwest college was founded more than 130 years ago by Norwegian Lutherans in order to teach future ministers, though it quickly went on to expand its program to include music study by the early 1900s and develop a broad contemporary liberal arts education for all of its students a few years later.

Luther College Offers More Than Sixty Diverse Majors, Specialty Degrees, and Preprofessional Programs for Undergraduates

Luther College has dozens and dozens of undergraduate majors for students to pursue in their time at the school, which ultimately enable them to gain a Bachelor of Arts degree at the end of their four-year term. These programs range from economics and computer science to museum studies and Scandinavian studies. The most popular areas of study include biology and life science; business and marketing; social sciences; and visual and performing arts. The college also offers a few special degree programs as well, including some engineering programs that allow students to take courses at the neighboring University of Minnesota and Washington University in St. Louis. Several other specialty programs and preprofessional programs enable students to take a multidisciplinary approach to their studies when pursuing degrees in arts management, prelaw, pre-physical therapy, or even sports management. Students who elect to take such specialty courses are usually already enrolled simultaneously as an undergraduate in a related field.

The faculty at Luther totals more than 170 full-time professors and teacher's assistants. More than half the faculty has terminal degrees in their fields. The total student body at Luther is close to 2,500 students, and the student-teacher ratio is a mere 12:1, enabling direct hands-on teaching environment to flourish. In fact, virtually all classes are small in size with very few lecture-format courses.

The Financial Aid Office Helps to Offset Costs by Means of Loans, Scholarships, and Work-Study Programs

The Financial Aid Office makes every effort to help all students find scholarships, grants, loans, and other forms of financial assistance to offset their educational costs. The Financial Aid Office also is able to set up a variety of work-study opportunities for students by providing campus employment for those qualified for jobs. These typically pay students a few thousand dollars annually.

Growing More and More Green, Luther's Campus Offers Many Activity Opportunities for Its Students

In recent years, Luther has effectively worked to reduce greenhouse emissions and increase the overall energy efficiency of the operating network of campus buildings that include research facilities, the substantial and various student housing buildings, performing arts centers, and lecture halls. There is a great deal to do on and around Luther's 175-acre campus, both for undergraduate residents and their visitors. Almost all of the student body of Luther lives on campus during their time at school and in the summer months. There are many events to enjoy, student organizations to join, and performances to see and hear. The geography of the town of Decorah lends itself to enjoying a great deal of outdoor activity, like boating, hiking, skiing, and even rock climbing.

Students Participate in Over 120 Unique and Varied Student Organizations

There are numerous student organizations at Luther. They range from informal social groups to traditional Greek life and from athletics to the more-academic. These include, but are in no way limited to, the Luther Artists Collective, the Philosophy Society, Luther Cheerleading, the International Culture Club, Phi Beta Kappa, Catholic Student Community, Amnesty International, Swing Dance Club, and Luther Feet Forward for A Cure.

Luther's Students Have Travel Options

Traveling in and around the campus of Luther can be easily accomplished. Most students walk to where they need to go, since most of them live on campus. Of course, automobiles are easily accessible for more distance travels. There are also two airports, the Decorah Municipal Airport and the Waukon Municipal Airport, for outgoing and incoming visitors. Additionally, there is an Amtrak train station in La Crosse, Wisconsin.

Nearby Cedar Rapids and St. Paul Offer Culture, Nightlife, and Stimulating Places for Fun

The campus is located 70 miles north of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and about 90 miles from St. Paul, Minnesota. Students in Cedar Rapids can spend a leisurely day taking guided tours at the Indian Creek Nature Center or check out the Cedar Rapids Museum of Art to enjoy the work of famous regional artists like Grant Wood and others who depicted archetypical Midwest life, as well as enjoying the many great restaurants.

• Area and ethnic studies
• African American/Black Studies
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Women's Studies
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Biological/life sciences
• Biology/Biological Sciences
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Business/marketing
• Business Administration and Management
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Accounting
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Management Information Systems
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Communication/Journalism
• Speech Communication and Rhetoric
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Computer and information sciences
• Computer Science
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Education
• Elementary Education
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• English
• English
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Foreign languages and literature
• Russian
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• German
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Scandinavian Languages
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• French
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Spanish
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Ancient Near Eastern and Biblical Languages
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Classics and Classical Languages
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Health professions and related sciences
• Athletic Training
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• History
• History
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Interdisciplinary studies
• International/Global Studies
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies Related
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Mathematics and statistics
• Mathematics
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Mathematics and Statistics
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Natural resources/environmental science
• Environmental Studies
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Parks and recreation
• Health and Physical Education/Fitness
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Philosophy and religious studies
• Philosophy
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Religious Studies
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Physical sciences
• Chemistry
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Physics
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Psychology
• Psychology
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Public administration and social services
• Social Work
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Social sciences
• Anthropology
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Economics
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Political Science and Government
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Sociology
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Visual and performing arts
• Dramatic/Theater Arts
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Art
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Music
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.

• Acceptance Rate
• Applied3,556
• Accepted2,495
• Acceptance Rate70%
• Enrolled2,473
• Female Applicants1,956
• Females Accepted1,444
• Female Acceptance Rate73%
• Male Applicants1,600
• Males Accepted1,051
• Male Acceptance Rate65%
• Applying
• Application Fee$25
• Required for All Essay or personal statement
  Transcript of high school record
  Letter(s) of recommendation
  
• Required for Some
• Average high school GPA for first-year freshman3.63
• Application Deadlines
• Type Application Closing Notification Date Rolling Admissions
• Fall freshmen Not Reported
• Out-of-state Fall freshmen Not Reported
• Early decision plan Not Reported
• Other early decision plan Not Reported
• Transfer Not Reported
• Test Scores Accepted
• Test Average School Accepted 25th Percentile* 75th Percentile*
• SAT Critical Reading 537 450 605
• SAT Math 559 500 620
• SAT Writing 528 450 595
• ACT Composite 26 23 28
• * 25th and 75th percentile is the score that 25/75 percent of students score at or below.

• Tuition
• In-state tuition *$37,330
• Out-of-state tuition *$37,330
• In-district tuitionN/A
• * Tuition costs are based on a full academic year typically extending from September to June.
• Fees
• Full-time student fees$150.00
• Room and board *$6,850.00
• Room only *$3,240.00
• * Room and board charges vary according to board plan selected (i.e., 12-meal plan, 19-meal plan, etc.) and student level (freshman, sophomore, etc.)
• Other Payment Considerations
• Guaranteed tuition plan offeredNo
• Tuition pre-payment planNo
• Tuition payment plans offeredInstallments
• Student groups that qualify for full or partial waiver of tuitionEmployees or children of employees

• Gender
• Total Undergraduate Students2,473
• Male Student Percentage44%
• Female Student Percentage56%
• Ethnicity
• Hispanic/Latino2.79%
• Black or African American1.37%
• White or Caucasian86.25%
• American Indian or Alaska Native.04%
• Asian1.7%
• Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander.04%
• Two or more races1.9%
• Unknown.57%
• Other Student Statistics
• International Breakout5.34% representing 46 other countries
• Out-of-state Students68.1% out-of-state student

• Housing
• College-owned housing available Yes
• Housing Requirements None
• Housing options Coed housing , Special housing for disabled
• Percentage of undergraduate students who live in college-owned housing 85%
• Student Activities
• Student-run campus newspaper Yes
• Drama / theater group Yes
• Student-run radio station Yes
• Student-run television station No
• Marching band No
• Choral groups Yes
• Student Services
• Legal services No
• Health clinic Yes
• Personal / psychological counseling Yes
• Women's center Yes
• Student Organizations
• Greek fraternities No
• Greek sororities No
• Local fraternities Yes
• Local sororities Yes
• Other organizations Yes
• Most popular organizations Alpha Phi Omega, college ministries, recreational sports, Student Activities Council, Diversity groups
• Campus Security and Safety
• 24-hour emergency telephone / alarm services Yes
• 24-hour patrols by trained officers Yes
• Students patrols Not Reported
• Late-night transport / escort services Yes
• Electronically-operated dormitory entrances Yes
• Other Not Reported

• Men's Sports
• Sport Intramural Intercollegiate Scholarship
• Archery Yes No No
• Badmington Yes No No
• Baseball No Division 3 No
• Basketball Yes Division 3 No
• Bowling Yes No No
• Cross-country running No Division 3 No
• Football Yes Division 3 No
• Golf Yes Division 3 No
• Lacrosse No No No
• Racquetball Yes No No
• Rugy Yes No No
• Soccer Yes Division 3 No
• Softball Yes No No
• Swimming No Division 3 No
• Tennis Yes Division 3 No
• Tennis Yes No No
• Track Yes Division 3 No
• Ultimate Frisbee Yes Division C No
• Volleyball Yes No No
• Wrestling No Division 3 No
• Women's Sports
• Sport Intramural Intercollegiate Scholarship
• Archery Yes No No
• Badmington Yes No No
• Baseball No No No
• Basketball Yes Division 3 No
• Bowling Yes No No
• Cross-country running No Division 3 No
• Football Yes No No
• Golf Yes Division 3 No
• Lacrosse Yes No No
• Racquetball Yes No No
• Rugy Yes No No
• Soccer Yes Division 3 No
• Softball Yes Division 3 No
• Swimming No Division 3 No
• Tennis Yes Division 3 No
• Tennis Yes No No
• Track Yes Division 3 No
• Ultimate Frisbee Yes Division C No
• Volleyball Yes Division 3 No
• Wrestling No No No

• Faculty Breakout
• Total Faculty255
• Full-time Percentage70%
• Part-time Percentage30%
• Female Percentage49%
• Male Percentage51%
• Student:Faculty Ratio12:1 or 2,438 students to 204 faculty