your VALUES our VALUE It is impossible to put a price tag LECNA has conducted several major research on a life of worth and purpose initiatives on behalf of our member colleges But you can choose a college that delivers and universities, educational and vocational value in accordance providing data to with your personal convictions. That’s why, support the excep- every year, students choose Lutheran colleges and tional value of Lutheran higher education for universities for their opportunities in leadership, students and alumni. volunteer service, off-campus study, athletics, We’ve highlighted some music and academic research – and when they of those findings in this arrive at college in the fall, they find friends with piece, and you can similar priorities. learn more by visiting lutherancolleges.org/ The colleges and universities of the Lutheran resources. Educational Conference of North America (LECNA) are uniquely positioned to provide results-based career preparation, well-connected networks, and challenging academic environments, while recog- nizing the role of faith and spirituality in your life. Percent Lutheran college and university graduates vs. flagship public graduates who said that: Love your daily life: Lutheran colleges and universities excel at inspiring student engagement College was effective in helping them develop moral principles that guided their actions: • Students at Lutheran colleges • Students at Lutheran colleges and universities are more likely and universities are involved to be involved in varsity athletics, in more activities on campus, music, volunteer activities and and to a greater degree, than 37 off-campus study than students their counterparts at public 78 at public institutions. universities. College helped them integrate their faith into  We asked graduates if they were involved in any of the following: other aspects of their life: Volunteer/service activities 15 51% 64% 53 Varsity athletics College emphasized 9% 26% personal values and ethics: Music or theatre performances 17% 35% 83 42 Flagship public graduates vs. Lutheran college and university graduates Make strong connections: Lutheran college and university students and parents have meaningful connections within the college community • Lutheran college and university • Parents of Lutheran college and students are more likely to meet university students are more a mentor or role model during likely to meet the college their freshman year, and to president and hear him/her develop supportive relation- speak on multiple occasions than ships with faculty and staff parents of students at public during their education. institutions, which parents say leads to a stronger relationship with their student’s education.

 We asked graduates about their role models and faculty-student connections: Professor was a mentor 48% 70%

Professors who challenged, but helped meet those challenges 49% 82%

Faculty interested in students personally as well as academically 44% 86%

Integration of values/ethics in classroom discussions 30% 69%

Flagship public graduates vs. Lutheran college and university graduates Challenge yourself: Lutheran college and university graduates are leaders in national organizations, corporations and congregations alike • The quality of curriculum • Graduates of Lutheran colleges and breadth of study at and universities have continued Lutheran colleges and universi- their studies as Rhodes Scholars ties naturally incorporate at Oxford, law students at Yale discussions of ethical leader- and Harvard, and at business ship, service, and hands-on schools like Wharton and experience through classes and Berkeley, as well as graduate internships. schools within Lutheran universities. • Lutheran college and university graduates are far more likely to be servant-leaders within Find what you’re looking for: Lutheran colleges and their churches in both staff and universities specialize in helping students find a sense volunteer positions. of purpose in their lives and careers  Graduates involved with a church or religious organization: • Lutheran institutions out- • Students at Lutheran colleges perform traditional institutions and universities benefit from Percent Lutheran college and university in the integration of faith and one-on-one attention from graduates vs. flagship public graduates ethics in academics and professors, which can be crucial 79 59 daily life. for references and letters of Of those, had leadership roles recommendation upon had leadership roles graduation. 42 23

 We talked to graduates and they said: It is important in current and career life to integrate faith Realize your potential: Lutheran higher education 57% 75% pays off in career success College was effective in helping them develop a sense of purpose in life • Small classes, strong relation- • Lutheran college and university 54% 76% ships with professors, and alumni are more likely to say College was effective in helping them opportunities for research they are able to balance a career develop moral principles that can guide actions and off-campus study are and family life while still being commonly listed as strong involved in their community 37% 78% factors in post-graduate success, and church. Flagship public graduates vs. Lutheran college and university graduates and integral to the Lutheran college and university tradition. Know the value of your education: Financial aid and You know the why. Here’s the how: Attending a scholarships are available to help you finance the Lutheran college or university is more affordable education you deserve than you may think • Most students are as likely to • Lutheran colleges and • Most students at private colleges • Many students work to pay earn their degree in four years universities are committed to and universities pay less than for college and are successful at a private college or university affordability for all students, the published tuition rate in balancing coursework with as they are in six years at a state and at the same time are praised because our member institutions a job, social interests and institution, thereby avoiding for the quality of education set aside hundreds of thousands extracurricular activities. additional tuition and and leadership development of dollars each year for financial beginning their careers earlier. they provide. aid, based on a variety of • Graduates who had student factors, including academic loans say they were a worth- ability, financial need, and while investment.  We asked graduates if they: other qualities such as Received scholarship/grant money to attend college leadership, artistic styles 53% 75% and athletic talents.

Studied off campus 27% 48%  Most students at independent institutions pay less than the published price: Completed an internship 39% 57% $30,000 $27,290 Published tuition and fees Net tuition and fees Graduated in four years or fewer $23,410 47% 73% $20,280 $20,000 Flagship public graduates vs. Lutheran college and university graduates $12,750 $12,230 $11,320

$10,000 Price in constant 2010 dollars

$0 2000–2001 2005–2006 2010–2011 Academic year

Average published tuition and fees Average net tuition and fees

Source: College Board Trends in College Pricing 2010, Average Net Price, Figure 7. Data represent full-time undergraduate students attending four-year independent institutions only. Net tuition and fees are after grant aid and tax benefits are deducted from the published tuition and fees. Net prices for 2010-2011 are estimated based on past years and available information about changes in financial aid. Numbers have been rounded to the nearest 10s. Financial aid Time-to-degree for students at four-year colleges Private colleges and universities Educational loans: Many need- and universities base their need-based financial based aid packages include a aid programs on the information long-term educational loan offered Private college or State college or university captured by the Free Application through federal loan programs, in- university for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). cluding federally-backed Subsidized 4 years to degree 5 years to degree 6 years to degree Some institutions may also re- Stafford and Perkins Loans and quest information from the College Unsubsidized Stafford Loans. Par- Average net tuition Average net tuition Average net tuition Scholarship Service PROFILE (CSS/ ents and students may also choose (after grant aid): (after grant aid): (after grant aid): PROFILE), and supplemental income private loans, which usually require $10,900 x 4 years = $43,600 $3,400 x 4 years = $13,600 $3,400 x 4 years = $13,600 and asset documentation, so be sure a credit-worthy co-signer for the ears 1–4 Student earns a degree and Student continues Student continues to check requirements carefully. By student application. Y enters the workforce in school in school using the FAFSA form, colleges and universities ensure a fair and con- Student employment: Financial aid packages often include a work-study sistent approach to determining the Fifth-year average Fifth-year average demonstrated need of all admitted component that engages students net tuition: $3,400 net tuition: $3,400 in work and service to their institu- students. The FAFSA deadline falls Average lost income Average lost income on or around February 1 each year, tional community beyond their usual ear 5 in fifth year: $30,000 in fifth year: $30,000 academic and extracurricular activi- Y and you can find more information Student earns a degree and Student continues at www.fafsa.ed.gov. ties. The number of hours a student enters the workforce in school may work is generally based on his Common components of a need- or her demonstrated financial need, based financial aid package and some colleges and universities Sixth-year average net tuition: $3,400 Grants and scholarships: These reserve all on-campus jobs for work- are college-designated gifts funded study students. Average lost income ear 6 in sixth year: $30,000 by endowed scholarships, annual Y For more information about financ- Student earns a degree and support from alumni and other enters the workforce institutional funds. Some students ing college, visit www.lutherancol- also qualify for additional grant aid, leges.org/colleges/financing. including federal grants (like Pell Time-to-degree Time-to-degree Time-to-degree 4 years 5 years 6 years Grants, Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants and Academic Net tuition: $43,600 Net tuition: $17,000 Net tuition: $20,400 Competitiveness Grants). Lost income Lost income Lost income during additional during additional during additional time-to-degree: $0 time-to-degree: $30,000 time-to-degree: $60,000

 When students obtain their undergraduate degree in a timely manner it results in a major financial reward for them and their families. At private colleges and universities, 79 percent of Total price students receive a degree in four years or fewer. At state four-year institutions, only 49 percent of degree: $43,600 $47,000 $80,400 of students finish in four years or fewer. Source: National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities (NAICU) www.naicu.edu Source: U.S. Department of Education, National Center for Education Statistics. Analysis by the National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities. Connect with a Lutheran college or university

In the United States: MICHIGAN Wagner College TEXAS Trinity Lutheran College In Canada: ALABAMA Concordia University www.wagner.edu Concordia University Texas www.tlc.edu ALBERTA Concordia College Alabama www.cuaa.edu 800.221.1010 www.concordia.edu 800.843.5659 Concordia University www.concordiaselma.edu 888.282.2338 800.865.4282 College of Alberta 334.874.5700 NORTH CAROLINA WISCONSIN www.concordia.ab.ca Finlandia University Lenoir-Rhyne University Texas Lutheran University Carthage College 866.479.5200 CALIFORNIA www.finlandia.edu www.lr.edu www.tlu.edu www.carthage.edu California Lutheran 877.202.5491 800.277.5721 800.771.8521 800.351.4058 SASKATCHEWAN University Luther College, University www.callutheran.edu MINNESOTA OHIO VIRGINIA Concordia University of Regina 877.258.3678 Augsburg College Capital University Roanoke College Wisconsin www.luthercollege.edu www.augsburg.edu www.capital.edu www.roanoke.edu www.cuw.edu 800.588.4378 Concordia University 800.788.5678 866.544.6175 800.388.2276 888.628.9472 www.cui.edu 800.229.1200 Concordia College, Wittenberg University WASHINGTON Wisconsin Lutheran Moorhead www.wittenberg.edu Pacific Lutheran University College ILLINOIS www.cord.edu 877.206.0332 www.plu.edu www.wlc.edu Augustana College 800.699.9897 800.274.6758 414.433.8811 www.augustana.edu OREGON 800.798.8100 Concordia University, Concordia University Saint Paul www.cu-portland.edu Concordia University www.csp.edu 800.321.9371 Discover a group of colleges that has faith in your future Chicago 800.333.4705 www.cuchicago.edu PENNSYLVANIA At www.lutherancolleges.org, you can research the colleges and universities that 877.282.4422 Gustavus Adolphus Gettysburg College interest you and request more information – all on one site. You’ll also find in- College www.gettysburg.edu formation about Lutheran College Fairs in your area, advice on preparing your INDIANA www.gustavus.edu 800.431.0803 Valparaiso University 800.487.8288 application, and answers to your questions about financial aid and scholarships. www.valpo.edu Muhlenberg College 888.468.2576 St. Olaf College www.muhlenberg.edu www.stolaf.edu 484.664.3200 IOWA 800.800.3025 Grand View University Susquehanna University www.grandview.edu NEBRASKA www.susqu.edu 800.444.6083 Concordia University, 800.326.9672 Nebraska Luther College www.cune.edu Thiel College www.luther.edu 800.535.5494 www.thiel.edu 800.458.8437 800.248.4435 Midland University Wartburg College www.midlandu.edu SOUTH CAROLINA www.wartburg.edu 800.642.8382 Newberry College 800.772.2085 www.newberry.edu This publication, and 800.845.4955 NEW YORK the research highlighted KANSAS Concordia College– Bethany College New York SOUTH DAKOTA within, is supported www.bethanylb.edu www.concordia-ny.edu Augustana College in part by a grant from: 800.826.2281 800.937.2655 www.augie.edu 800.727.2844