Saint Mary's University of Minnesota vs Luther College
Saint Mary's University of Minnesota and Luther College, both esteemed institutions in the Midwest, offer distinct educational experiences. Saint Mary's, a Catholic university, boasts a higher acceptance rate and a larger student body, while Luther, a Lutheran college, has a more selective admissions process and a smaller, close-knit community. Saint Mary's offers a wider range of undergraduate programs, including popular majors like nursing and business, while Luther excels in liberal arts and sciences, with strengths in biology and music. Both institutions boast impressive graduation rates, preparing students for successful careers or further education. Explore our comprehensive comparison table to delve into specific data points and discover which institution aligns best with your academic aspirations and personal preferences.
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![]() Luther College |
![]() Saint Mary's University of Minnesota |
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Overview |
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Location | Decorah, Iowa | Winona, Minnesota |
Campus setting | Town: Remote | Town: Distant |
College type | 4 year | 4 year |
Control/business model | Private (Non Profit) | Private (Non Profit) |
Calendar system | 4-1-4 | Semester |
Degrees offered | Undergraduate | Undergraduate and Graduate |
Students retention rate | 84.0% | 79.0% |
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Yes | Yes |
Religious affiliation | Evangelical | Catholic |
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Admission |
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Acceptance rate | 76.1% | 97.8% |
Application fees | ||
SAT range | 1088 - 1318 | N/A |
ACT range | 22 - 29 | N/A |
Students submitting SAT score | 8.0% | |
Students submitting ACT score | 37.0% | |
Total number of applicants | 2,495 | 1,587 |
Total number of admissions given out | 1,898 | 1,552 |
Admitted students who chose to enroll | 444 | 234 |
Yield rate | 23.4% | 15.1% |
Test scores (SAT/ACT) | N/A | N/A |
High school GPA | Required | Required |
Recommendation letters | Required | Not required |
High school transcript | Required | Not required |
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL) | Required | Required |
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Tuition and Fees |
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Sticker price | $61,175 | $53,010 |
Average net price | $25,929 | $21,606 |
Tuition | $46,130 | $38,780 |
Room & board |
Room/dormitory:
$4,870
Meal plan:
$5,490
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Room/dormitory:
$5,550
Meal plan:
$4,370
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Available payment plans |
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Financial Aid |
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Students receiving financial aid
(Grants & scholarships) |
100.0%
Average amount $34,281 |
100.0%
Average amount $29,804 |
Students receiving federal student loan |
69.0%
Average amount $5,292 |
64.0%
Average amount $5,074 |
Students taking out private loans |
13.0%
Average amount $13,652 |
18.0%
Average amount $13,389 |
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Students and Campus |
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Undergraduate students |
1,744
Men 43.4% Women 56.6% |
1,246
Men 43.9% Women 56.1% |
Graduate students | N/A |
3,455
Men 27.9% Women 72.1% |
Racial/ethnic diversity |
Very Low
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Low
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Out-of-state students | 70.5% | N/A |
International students | 9.9% | 1.7% |
Campus local/setting | Town: Remote | Town: Distant |
Dormitory capacity | 2,156 | 982 |
First year students are required to live on campus? | No | No |
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from | Minnesota Iowa Wisconsin Illinois California | N/A |
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Academics |
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Popular study areas |
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Students to faculty ratio | 11:1 | 18:1 |
Institutional accreditation | Higher Learning Commission | Higher Learning Commission |
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Outcome |
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Graduation rate | 72.5% | 56.7% |
Dropout rate | 27.4% | 43.3% |
Transferred out | N/A | N/A |
Alumni salary by major (Top 10) |
Computer Science (Bachelor's Degrees)
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Bachelor's Degrees)
Accounting and Related Services (Bachelor's Degrees)
Mathematics (Bachelor's Degrees)
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Bachelor's Degrees)
Communication and Media Studies (Bachelor's Degrees)
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities (Bachelor's Degrees)
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods (Bachelor's Degrees)
Political Science and Government (Bachelor's Degrees)
Psychology, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
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Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Master's Degrees)
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Bachelor's Degrees)
Educational Administration and Supervision (Doctoral Degrees)
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees)
Business/Commerce, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
Information Science/Studies (Bachelor's Degrees)
Health and Medical Administrative Services (Master's Degrees)
Educational Administration and Supervision (Master's Degrees)
Human Resources Management and Services (Master's Degrees)
Human Resources Management and Services (Bachelor's Degrees)
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