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Luther College

EIN 42-0680466 · Decorah, IA

Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair67 out of 100GovernanceStrong95 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

FOUNDED BY THE NORWEGIAN EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH IN 1861, LUTHER COLLEGE IS A FOUR-YEAR, RESIDENTIAL LIBERAL ARTS INSTITUTION. LUTHER WELCOMES STUDENTS OF ALL BACKGROUNDS TO ENGAGE IN A WAY OF LEARNING THAT MOVES BEYOND IMMEDIATE INTERESTS AND ENCOURAGES STUDENTS TO BUILD A LIFE OF CONSEQUENCE. AT THE HEART OF A LUTHER EDUCATION IS AN UNDERSTANDING OF THE WAY FAITH AND LEARNING INTERSECT AND IN TURN CONNECT STUDENTS TO THE LARGER WORLD. LUTHER OFFERS MORE THAN 80 MAJORS, MINORS, AND PREPROFESSIONAL PROGRAMS.

Income
$120.8 million
Spending
$118.5 million
Spent on programs
89%
Reserves
2.5 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 73%
Employees
1,794
Volunteers
409
Highest pay
$475,022, president - outgoing

Source: Form 990 for the year ending May 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Fair: 67 out of 100. Higher than 59% of charities in its peer group (education, over $100m).

  • Reserves

    10 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 2.5 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 11% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    12 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 2% of income.

  • Income trend

    10 of 15

    Income fell 9% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    89% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 17 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending May 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 95 out of 100. Higher than 38% of charities in its peer group (education, over $100m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    22 of 23 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    8 of 8

    Has a written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    7 of 7

    Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.

  • Board minutes

    5 of 5

    Keeps minutes of board meetings.

  • Board sees the tax return

    10 of 10

    Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • Pay set independently

    0 of 5

    Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.

  • Independent check of accounts

    15 of 15

    Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.

  • No reported misuse

    10 of 10

    Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending May 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Impact evidence

Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.

Programs described in its return (4)
  1. $74.5 million spent. INSTRUCTION: LUTHER OFFERS 42 MAJORS, 42 MINORS AND INTERDISCIPLINARY MINORS, AND 4 PREPROFESSIONAL AND SPECIFIC PROGRAMS. LUTHER'S SIGNATURE PAIDEIA PROGRAM, AN INTERDISCIPLINARY COURSE SERIES OFFERED FOR MORE THAN 47 YEARS, HELPS INTEGRATE LEARNING AND BUILDS COMMUNITY THROUGH SHARED ACADEMIC EXPERIENCE. THE COLLEGE'S MUSIC PROGRAM, IN WHICH STUDENTS TRAIN IN PERFORMANCE, CONDUCTING, COMPOSITION, AND EDUCATION, HAS FIVE CHOIRS, TWO BANDS, THREE ORCHESTRAS AND TWO JAZZ BANDS, MANY OF WHICH TOUR NATIONALLY AND INTERNATIONALLY. A VIBRANT OFF-CAMPUS STUDENT PROGRAM DRAWS APPROXIMATELY 66% OF STUDENTS TO STUDY ABROAD PRIOR TO GRADUATION. LUTHER HAS 142 FULL-TIME FACULTY (APPROXIMATLY 92 PERCENT WITH A TERMINAL DEGREE) AND A 9.3:1 STUDENT-FACULTY RATIO. TOTAL ENROLLMENT WAS 1,369 FTE STUDENTS IN THE FALL OF 2024. 354 STUDENTS GRADUATED IN THE 2024-25 ACADEMIC YEAR.
  2. $17.7 million spent. ACADEMIC SUPPORT AND STUDENT SERVICES: THE CENTER FOR ACADEMIC ENRICHMENT PROVIDES SERVICES, BASED ON BEST PRACTICES IN LEARNING ASSISTANCE, INCLUDING NEEDS ASSESSMENT, STUDENT-TO-STUDENT TUTORING, AND ONE-ON-ONE INSTRUCTION WITH PROFESSIONAL STAFF. IN COLLABORATION WITH FACULTY AND OTHER STAFF, CAE COORDINATES SPECIALIZED SERVICES FOR STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES, MANAGES THE ACADEMIC ALERT SYSTEM, AND SUPPORTS INITIATIVES OF THE ADVISING PROGRAM. ACADEMIC ADVISING IS DONE BY FACULTY. RESEARCH AND TECHNOLOGY SUPPORT ARE PROVIDED THROUGH AN EXTENSIVE LIBRARY PROGRAM. THE COLLEGE HAS MORE THAN 100 STUDENT ORGANIZATIONS ALONG WITH COLLEGE MINISTRIES, HEALTH SERVICES, AND RECREATION AND WELLNESS PROGRAMS. APPROXIMATELY 70% OF STUDENTS ARE ENGAGED IN WORK STUDY TO SERVE THE LUTHER COMMUNITY, GAIN IMPORTANT WORK EXPERIENCE, AND EARN MONEY TOWARD EXPENSES.
  3. $12.7 million spent. AUXILIARY ENTERPRISES: LUTHER COLLEGE MAINTAINS A RURAL RESIDENTIAL CAMPUS TO ENHANCE THE EDUCATIONAL EXPERIENCE OF THE STUDENT BODY WITH ROOM AND BOARD PROGRAMS DESIGNED TO ENCOURAGE A SPIRIT OF COLLEGIALITY AND CONVERSATION BEYOND THE CLASSROOM AND LABORATORY. IN FALL 2024, LUTHER'S RESIDENCE HALLS HOUSED 1,310 STUDENTS OR 96% OF TOTAL FALL ENROLLMENT. 1,206 STUDENTS USED THE COLLEGE'S DINING SERVICE.
  4. $549,001 spent. PUBLIC SERVICE: OFFERINGS TO THE BROADER COMMUNITY INCLUDE A COLLEGE RADIO STATION, CONFERENCES AND SEMINARS, A PERFORMING ARTS SERIES AND A VARIETY OF PROGRAMS IN THE ARTS, ATHLETICS, SCIENCES, AND LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT FOR HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS.RESEARCH: THE COLLEGE RECEIVES GRANTS FOR FACULTY/STUDENT RESEARCH COLLABORATION, PARTICULARLY IN THE SCIENCES. THE COLLEGE DEDICATES SPACE, RESOURCES, AND FACULTY TIME FOR COLLABORATIVE INVESTIGATION WITH STUDENTS. RESEARCH PROJECTS ACROSS THE CURRICULUM OCCUR DURING THE ACADEMIC YEAR AND IN THE SUMMER.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending May 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Legitimacy checks

  1. Is it registered with the IRS? Passed.

    Listed in the IRS master file of tax-exempt organizations as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.

  2. Has the IRS revoked its tax-exempt status? Passed.

    Not on the IRS automatic revocation list.

    Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 30, 2026.

  3. Are donations tax-deductible? Passed.

    On the IRS list of organizations eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions.

    Source: Publication 78 data: organizations eligible for tax-deductible contributions, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 10, 2026.

  4. Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.

    Most recent return on file covers the year ending May 2025.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since April 1935.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.

  6. Is it in good standing with state regulators? Passed.

    Not on California's list of charities barred from soliciting. Other states are not yet checked.

    Source: May Not Operate or Solicit for Charitable Purposes list, California Attorney General, Registry of Charities and Fundraisers, file dated October 7, 2026.

Ratings and checks are our reading of public records, using the published method. They are not a statement about anyone's honesty. If you work for this organization, you can send corrections or results, confirm you want gifts through Veridonate, or ask to be removed from giving.