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 | Accreditation and Affiliation

The Students

Enrollment

  • 696 students

Enrollment by degree program

  • 56%    Master of Divinity
  • 17%    Master of Arts (including Master of Sacred Music)
  • 13%    Ph.D., Master of Theology
  • 10%    Doctor of Ministry
  •   4%    Certificate, non-degree or special programs

Distributed Learning Enrollment

  • 108 students are enrolled in the M.Div. DL degree program
  • 30 students are enrolled in the Children, Youth and Family Ministry DL degree program

Male/female enrollment

  • 53% male
  • 47% female

Denominational makeup

  • 31% (215 students) represent denominations and faiths other than the ELCA
  • 41 denominations and traditions other than the ELCA

International students

  • 58 from 23 countries

Graduates

  • 132 graduates in 2013

Graduates include:

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

faculty

  • 29 faculty

Financial Aid

  • $2.5 million in financial aid during 2013-14
    Financial aid to students is based upon the 2013-14 fiscal year.

Tuition and living expenses

  • $15,000 annually for full-time study
  • $36,473* annually for full-time study, living expenses and books
    *    Reflects cost for students living on campus and reflects the 2013-14 academic year.

Reducing Debt

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

Seminary FINANCES

Sources of Seminary Income

37%

 Gifts and grants from individuals and congregations

29%

 Tuition and fees

16%

 Endowment income

10.5%

 Auxiliaries and other sources

7.5%

 ELCA churchwide and synod support

 

Total Income Budget

  • $21.47 million
  • Size of endowment: $77.6 million (as of June 30, 2013)
    Budget information is current as of October 2013 and reflects the 2013-14 fiscal year.

Annual Gifts Matter

  • Donor support made up 53 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!

Accreditation and Affiliation

Luther Seminary is one of the eight seminaries of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA). 

Luther Seminary is accredited by the Commission on Accrediting of the Association of Theological Schools in the United States and Canada and the Higher Learning Commission. The following degree programs are approved:  M.Div., M.A., M.S.M., D.Min., M.Th., Ph.D. 

Accreditation Agency contact information: 

The Higher Learning Commission 
230 South LaSalle Street, Suite 7-500, Chicago, IL 60604-1411 
Phone:  800-621-7440 / 312-263-0456 
Fax: 312-263-7462 
Email: info@hlcommission.org 

The Commission on Accrediting of the Association of Theological Schools in the United States and Canada 
10 Summit Park Drive 
Pittsburgh, PA 15275 
Phone: 412-788-6505 
Fax: 412-788-6510 
Website: www.ats.edu