Luther College to promise students scholarships, degree completion in 4 years

One of Iowa’s private institutions is making a new promise to prospective students, one that includes a four-year degree guarantee, six figures in financial aid and more.

Starting this fall, new students to Luther College in Decorah will have access to the Luther Promise — an initiative composed of four commitments aimed at ensuring student success during their college career and after.

Eligible students will have a guarantee to earn their degree in four years and receive, at minimum, $120,000 in scholarship support over those years. They are also guaranteed, alongside all Luther College students, to participate in experiential learning and to be prepared for what comes after graduation.

Luther College President Brad Chamberlain said the idea for the promise came about nearly one year ago as he, then-president elect, and other college leaders pondered strategic planning for future academic years and queries from prospective students and their families.

“We were thinking about how we might respond to questions we were receiving from families over time about return on investment, both return on their financial investment in a college education, but also their investment in time,” Chamberlain said.

Each of the commitments in the Luther Promise addresses concerns Chamberlain said he worked to identify with Matt Beatty, Luther College vice president for enrollment management, including affordability, time to completion and preparedness for the world and a student’s chosen career.

Luther College will guarantee completion of a bachelor’s degree in four years for students who declare a major by their fourth semester and maintain it, complete at least 12 credits each semester, maintain university-set academic progress and full-time enrollment status and participate in the college’s advising program, according to the Luther Promise website.

Chamberlain said Luther has a strong track record already of graduating students in four years, and the college wanted to “make it explicit” that prospective students can enroll, explore, discover and maybe change their mind about what their goals are while still completing their education in a timely manner.

If students remain eligible for the guarantee but don’t complete their bachelor’s degree in eight semesters, Luther College will pay for the ninth. The website stated tuition for necessary courses in the ninth semester will be covered by the college but not mandatory fees, food or housing.

“We know the transformative value of a four-year degree, but also the importance of completing in four years,” Beatty said in a news release announcing the Luther Promise. “Families are asking hard questions about return on investment — both the dollars invested and the time to earn a college degree. At Luther, finishing on time is no longer a talking point; it’s a promise.”

Eligible students also will receive at least $30,000 in institutional scholarship aid annually for their four years on campus, totaling a minimum of $120,000. For students who came to the college in 2025, Chamberlain said the median institutional scholarship amount was $42,000.

Scholarships are funded through donations and the college’s endowment, Chamberlain said, and officials are in constant conversation with alumni and donors about finding new ways to support a Luther College education.

“What we’re trying to communicate is the substantial support that Luther is providing to all of its students,” Chamberlain said. “Provided in no small part to the generosity of our alumni and donors.”

The last two commitments guarantee each Luther College student will participate in experiential learning through internships, field experiences, research, study abroad or other programs and that, by graduation, every student will be prepared for their career and life.

An experiential learning requirement was added to Luther’s general education standards just over two years ago, Chamberlain said, and 99 percent of Luther students participate in more than one “high-impact learning practice.”

A disclaimer is included on the website that states the college will “take all reasonable measures to provide the Luther Promise based on current projections and past statistical information,” but the program could need to be paused due to “foreseen or unforeseen events out of the college’s control” like natural disasters, war, government actions, pandemics, changes in law or economic downturns, among other instances.

While they don’t know yet how prospective students will take the Luther Promise, Chamberlain said the announcement has been well-received by alumni, current students and staff.

“We are optimistic and hopeful that this will resonate with our prospective students and their families, both ones who are considering entering Luther fall 2026, but future students who enter,” Chamberlain said.

This article first appeared in the Iowa Capital Dispatch.