Decorah, IA · Private University
Is Luther College Worth It?
ROI analysis based on real earnings and cost data
Key Numbers
10-Year Earnings
$59,850
median, 10 years after enrollment
In-State Tuition
$50,320
per year
Out-of-State Tuition
$50,320
per year
Total 4-Year Cost
$201,280
tuition only (4 years)
ROI Ratio
1.19x
earnings ÷ annual tuition
Payback Period
8.1 yrs
years to recoup total cost
Graduation Rate
75.0%
6-year graduation rate
Median Debt
$27,000
at graduation
Avg Net Price
$25,635
after aid & scholarships
Earnings vs. Annual Cost
10-year median earnings compared to annual tuition
Luther College graduates earn $14,850 more than the national median of workers with any education level.
What You'd Actually Pay
Average net price after grants and scholarships, by family income
Source: IPEDS net price data. Actual costs vary based on individual financial circumstances.
Highest-Earning Majors
Top programs at Luther College ranked by graduate earnings
26 graduates
19 graduates
57 graduates
59 graduates
21 graduates
Earnings shown are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 1-year medians.
ROI by Major at Luther College
All available majors ranked by graduate earnings — your major matters as much as your school.
Your major matters more than your school
At Luther College, the gap between the highest-earning major (Computer Science: $100,968) and the lowest (English Language and Literature, General: $38,975) is $61,993/yr — bigger than the difference between many schools.
| Major | Earnings | ROI |
|---|---|---|
| Computer ScienceBest ROI | $100,968 | 2.0x |
| Accounting and Related Services | $74,629 | 1.5x |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $65,542 | 1.3x |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $57,105 | 1.1x |
| Political Science and Government | $50,562 | 1.0x |
| Communication and Media Studies | $47,382 | 0.9x |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | $46,160 | 0.9x |
| Psychology, General | $46,087 | 0.9x |
| Music | $44,566 | 0.9x |
| Biology, General | $42,543 | 0.8x |
| Social Work | $41,186 | 0.8x |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $40,953 | 0.8x |
| English Language and Literature, GeneralLowest | $38,975 | 0.8x |
Earnings are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 5-year or 1-year. ROI = earnings ÷ annual tuition.
The Bottom Line
Luther College delivers returns in line with the national college average. Graduates earn $59,850 10 years after starting — $14,850 above the national median of $45,000. Graduates typically break even on their investment within 8.1 years, a reasonable timeline.
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Earnings data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Tuition data from IPEDS. ROI calculations are for informational purposes only and reflect median outcomes.