Luther Seminary Quick Facts

What is the Luther student body like? How many professors are there? Where do Luther graduates work? How much does a Luther seminary education cost? Read below for the answers to these questions and more!

Students | Graduates | Faculty | Financial Aid | Seminary Finances

The Students

Enrollment

  • 806 students

Enrollment by degree program

  • 51%    Master of Divinity
  • 19%    Master of Arts (including Master of Sacred Music)
  • 12%    Ph.D., Master of Theology
  • 12%    Doctor of Ministry
  •   6%    Certificate, non-degree or special programs

Distributed Learning Master of Divinity Enrollment

  • 77 students

Children, Youth and Family Ministry Enrollment

  • 46 Master of Arts
  • 40 Master of Divinity
  • 30 DL CYF Master of Arts

Male/female enrollment

  • 54% male
  • 46% female

Denominational makeup

  • 24% (196 students) represent denominations and faiths other than ELCA
  • 14 denominations and traditions other than the ELCA.

International students

  • 69 from 26 countries

Graduates

  • 148 graduates in 2011

Graduates include:

  • One-third of ELCA pastors
  • An increasing number of ELCA lay professionals
  • Leaders of many global Lutheran and ecumenical churches

The faculty

  • 45 faculty
  • 20 adjunct faculty

Financial Aid

  • $2.8 million in financial aid during 2010-11
  • Covers approximately 49 percent of the cost of tuition
    Financial aid to students is based upon the 2010-12 fiscal year.

Tuition and living expenses

  • $14,000 annually for full-time study
  • $31,870* annually for full-time tuition, living expenses and books
    *    Reflects cost for students living on campus and reflects the 2010-12 academic year.

Student debt

  • 32% graduate without seminary debt
  • 68% graduate with seminary debt
  • Median indebtedness $46,701.
    Financial information is current as of October 2011 and is based upon the 2011-12 fiscal year.

Reducing Debt

Luther Seminary is committed to raising funds to help reduce student debt through:

Seminary FINANCES

Sources of Seminary Income

  • 45%    Gifts and grants from individuals and congregations
  • 24%    Tuition and fees
  • 12%    Auxiliaries and other sources
  • 12%    Endowment income
  •   7%    ELCA churchwide and synod support

Total Income Budget

  • $24.1 million
  • Size of endowment: $76.8 million (as of June 30, 2011)
    Budget information is current as of October 2011 and reflects the 2010-11 fiscal year.

Annual Gifts Matter

  • Donor support made up 57 percent of the annual budget when combining outright gifts and endowment income.
  • Charitable gifts cover everything from student scholarships and cross-cultural experiences to new course development and much more!