Luther College

  United States

University Attributes: Founded in 1861, Luther College is a four-year, university-level, residential institution of 2,500 students. One of the outstanding colleges in the American Midwest, Luther offers more than 60 majors, minors, and pre-professional programs leading to the Bachelor of Arts degree. A Phi Beta Kappa chapterthe most prestigious academic honors society found on only 7 percent of American college and university campuses attests the academic excellence of the college.   

Originally founded by Norwegian immigrantsand named for the 16th-century reformer, Martin Lutherthe college is affiliated with the Lutheran Church and welcomes students of all beliefs and backgrounds to its 1,000-acre campus.

Luther College is located in Decorah, Iowa, a picturesque community of nearly 8,500 people situated in the American heartland. Decorah has an abundance of clean air, clean water, and a very low crime rate. The town was recently recognized as one of the best 120 small towns in the United States.

At Luther, the liberal arts are the foundation on which students build their education. Following a tradition that dates back to the earliest universities, students broaden their knowledge of the world by studying the social and natural sciences, languages and literature, religion and philosophy, mathematics, and the fine arts. Luther students develop a breadth of knowledge through the college's general requirements and a depth of knowledge through a chosen major.

Learning at Luther is all about engagement, students become fully involved in their experiences both on and off campus. Nearly two-thirds of Luther students engage in student teaching, internships, nursing clinicals, social work practica, or otherwise gain real-world experience prior to graduation.

Life in the classroom at Luther is coupled with a very active life outside the classroom. Students can choose to participate in one or more of over 120 different student organizations including volunteer service groups, political and advocacy associations, academic honors societies, and cultural and social groups. In terms of music, the Luther campus is alive with the sounds of seven choirs, three bands, three orchestras, and two jazz bands. Athletically, Luther students can participate in ten different intercollegiate sports for men and nine for women.

Every year, Luther awards a significant amount of financial aid to entering international students. Funds are awarded for fulltime study during the nine-month academic year on the basis of academic merit and family financial need. A typical academic award usually combines scholarships and grant money (which does not have to be repaid) with on-campus work.

Luther Colleges funds for international students are not limitless, however. In general, students should expect to pay for a portion (up to one half or more) of their own educational expenses through family funds and/or aid programs offered through local or national churches, government agencies, and cultural organizations.

Application Process Involves:

• In-Person Interview when Feasible
• Letters of Reference
• Transcript
• Written Application

Post Services Include:

• Alumni Network
• Job and Internship Network

Luther College's Mission Statement: In the reforming spirit of Martin Luther, Luther College affirms the liberating power of faith and learning. As people of all backgrounds, we embrace diversity and challenge one another to learn in community, to discern our callings, and to serve with distinction for the common good. As a college of the church, Luther is rooted in an understanding of grace and freedom that emboldens us in worship, study, and service to seek truth, examine our faith, and care for all God's people. As a liberal arts college, Luther is committed to a way of learning that moves us beyond immediate interests and present knowledge into a larger world. An education that disciplines minds and develops whole persons equipped to understand and confront a changing society. As a residential college, Luther is a place of intersection. Founded where river, woodland, and prairie meet, we practice joyful stewardship of the resources that surround us, and we strive to be a community where students, faculty, and staff are enlivened and transformed by encounters with one another, by the exchange of ideas, and by the life of faith and learning.

Year Founded: 1861