At Luther College, we make it possible for you to achieve your personal dreams and professional goals.
The Luther Promise makes four institutional commitments to our first-year students entering fall 2026, all designed to ensure that you will thrive both during your time at Luther and in the years that follow.
1. Four-Year Graduation Guarantee
You will complete your degree in eight semesters, or we pay for the ninth.
This guarantee is possible because of our holistic advising program as well as our flexible and forward-thinking curriculum.
2. Affordable Degree
We will invest a minimum of $120,000 in scholarship aid over four years in each eligible student.
At Luther, affordability is a priority. Eligible students will receive $30,000 or more in scholarships each year for four years—a $120,000 investment in your future. On top of that, you may qualify for additional scholarships recognizing leadership, talent, and community impact.Â
We encourage all families to complete the FAFSA, and some families can receive need-based financial aid to cover the entire cost of tuition through Luther’s Impact Award.Â
Investing in Students
Luther is among the 20 colleges on the Forbes list that offer financial aid to 100 percent of its students.
3. Experiential Learning
Before graduating, you will apply your liberal arts classroom learning in the real world.
Every Luther student participates in hands-on, real-world experiences that connect classroom learning to future goals and passions. These experiences are built into our curriculum and help you explore your career interests and calling through meaningful action and reflection.
Students choose from a wide range of high-impact experiences including:Â
- internships
- research with faculty mentors
- field experiences
- study abroad
- community-based learning
- culminating senior experience
4. Career Preparedness
By graduation, you will be prepared for your next step.Â
Luther College graduates consistently outperform those from other colleges because of our distinctive liberal arts education. You will be prepared not just for a good job, but for a rewarding life. You’ll be able to connect ideas, respond ethically, and communicate with clarity and purpose.Â
Luther is unique because the professors don’t just give you the answers, they challenge you. They help you think critically. That’s the piece that sets Luther people apart.
Erin Croll ’99Lead Technology Business Systems Consultant, Wells Fargo
Luther Graduate Outcomes
Let the Luther Promise Fuel Your Dreams
At Luther, a high-impact, affordable education isn’t just a priority—it’s a promise. If you are an admitted student for fall 2026, join us today by making your deposit. If you are not yet part of our community, apply today!
Luther Promise FAQs
The Luther Promise Graduation Guarantee provides payment of tuition for a ninth semester, if it is required to complete a bachelor’s degree. The guarantee applies if students have fulfilled the outlined academic requirements.
Starting with the fall 2026 semester, all full-time, first-year students admitted to Luther College are eligible for the Luther Promise.
To maintain eligibility for the Four-Year Graduation Guarantee, you must complete all of the following:
- Declare a major by the end of your fourth semester and maintain it through graduation.
- Maintain satisfactory academic progress and full-time enrollment status as defined by the Luther College Academic Catalog.
- Complete at least 12 credits each full semester.
- Participate actively in the Luther holistic advising program.
- FAFSA submission is required only for ninth semester tuition remission.
Luther’s holistic advising program encompasses the student success team, orientation leaders, career coaches, student life mentors, faculty, athletic coaches, and alumni. Each student is assigned an advisor who will help them to staying on course toward their four-year graduation goal, based on their individual academic situation.
The program helps students with a theme for each year:Â
- Year 1: “Find Your Way”: Strengths Quest and Vocational DiscernmentÂ
- Year 2: “Career Exploration”: Sophomore Strides
- Year 3: “Get Hands-On”
- Year 4: “Prepare for What’s Next”
As a Luther student, your participation in advising is essential to meet the requirements for the Four-Year Graduation Guarantee. Your advisor will help you address registration holds, follow course registration dates, and other guidelines. You are expected to participate in advising and to follow the appropriate course sequencing to complete your major, as recommended by your advisor.
The Four-Year Graduation Guarantee applies only to meeting the degree requirements for a single major, graduation credit requirements, and core curriculum requirements.
The Four-Year Graduation Guarantee does not cover a limited number of situations.
- Practicum semesters taken after the eighth semester (e.g., education and social work) are excluded.
- Students choosing to participate in varsity athletics for a ninth semester will not qualify for tuition remission.
- Second majors, minors, and pre-professional requirements are not discouraged by the Four-Year Graduation Guarantee, but the declared first major for each student is the focus. The Four-Year Graduation Guarantee applies only to meeting the degree requirements for a single major, graduation credit requirements, and general education requirements.Â
- Over the past two years, almost 20% of Luther graduates completed two majors, with 90% graduating in eight semesters.
A student may change their major after their fourth semester and still be eligible for the Four-Year Graduation Guarantee if, at the time they make a change, the Center for Advising or the dean of student success determines they can still meet the requirements of the new major and graduate within eight semesters.
The college will cover the cost of tuition only for the necessary courses to complete your degree. Students are expected to pay for mandatory fees, food, and housing for a ninth semester, when applicable.
As long as an eligible student stays in good standing, making satisfactory academic progress towards their degree, they will receive at least a $30,000 annual scholarship toward the cost of tuition for a four-year (eight-semester) period. Luther awards gift assistance from more than 850 different scholarship funds annually. Impact Award and Herseth scholars receive up to full tuition in financial aid annually.
As long as you are maintaining satisfactory academic and financial aid progress toward your degree requirements, you will remain eligible for the Luther Promise. If your pace of completion slows at any point, Luther will work with you to understand your options and support your progress toward timely degree completion. Staying on track with required coursework and making steady progress toward your degree helps ensure continued eligibility for the Four-Year Graduation Guarantee.
Disclaimer
Applicants and enrolled Luther students remain subject to all admission, academic, conduct, and other requirements, policies, and procedures of the college, and the Luther Promise does not guarantee enrollment for a specific period of time, nor waive any program or activity requirement. Luther College will take all reasonable measures to provide the Luther Promise based on current projections and past statistical information, but its fulfillment may necessarily be interrupted by foreseen or unforeseen events outside of the college’s control, such as natural disasters, acts of war, government actions, pandemics, endemics, riots, changes in law, or economic downturns.
Admissions Office
Luther College
700 College Drive
Decorah, Iowa 52101
Phone: 563-387-1287