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Luther College vs Loras College: which has better ROI?

Private nonprofit, Decorah IA · vs · Private nonprofit, Dubuque IA

The verdict

Luther College has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $92,388 in 8 years versus 8.3 years at Loras College, on median earnings of $59,850 vs $58,289 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureLuther CollegeLoras College
Net price / yr$23,097$20,716
Total net cost$92,388$82,864
Median earnings, 10 yrs$59,850$58,289
Median debt$27,000$26,000
Payback8 yrs8.3 yrs
20-year net return$137,412$115,716

College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.

Which is cheaper, Luther College or Loras College?

Loras College, at $20,716 a year after aid versus $23,097 — a gap of $2,381 a year, or $9,524 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

Do Luther College or Loras College graduates earn more?

Luther College graduates report a median $59,850 ten years after entry, $1,561 more than the $58,289 at Loras College. Both are institution-wide medians from federal tax records, so a high-paying major at the lower school can beat the average at the higher one.

Which leaves students with less debt, Luther College or Loras College?

Loras College: its completers carry a median $26,000 in federal loans versus $27,000 at Luther College, a difference of $1,000. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.

Which graduates more of its students?

71% of students finish at Luther College, against 68% at Loras College. Completion matters to the ROI arithmetic because a degree that is never finished still carries its cost and its debt, but earns none of the graduate premium above the $48,360 high-school baseline.

Luther College vs Loras College: frequently asked questions

Is Luther College or Loras College a better value?
Luther College. It clears its $92,388 net cost in about 8 years versus 8.3 years at Loras College, on median earnings of $59,850 vs $58,289 ten years out.
Which is cheaper, Luther College or Loras College?
Loras College: $20,716/yr net price after aid versus $23,097/yr at Luther College — a difference of $2,381 a year, or about $9,524 over four years.
Do Luther College or Loras College graduates earn more?
Luther College graduates earn a median $59,850 ten years after entry, versus $58,289 at Loras College — a $1,561 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.