About St Luke's College
St Luke's College trains the next generation of healthcare professionals in Iowa's fourth-largest city. This specialized health sciences institution enrolls just 192 students, creating an intimate learning environment focused on nursing and radiologic technology programs. The college's Protestant foundation shapes its mission of serving others through healthcare careers.
The financial picture tells a compelling story for healthcare-focused students. While tuition runs $20,940, most students pay far less through aid packages that bring the average net price down to $13,021. Graduates typically leave with $15,000 in debt but earn a median salary of $61,033 within ten years of graduation. Monthly loan payments average just $159, making this debt load manageable given healthcare earning potential. Nearly half of students receive Pell Grants, reflecting the college's accessibility for working-class families.
The student body is overwhelmingly female at 93%, which reflects the nursing profession's demographics. With a 6:1 student-faculty ratio, students get personalized attention that's rare at larger universities. However, the 33% six-year graduation rate suggests the programs are demanding. Every graduate finds employment in their field, demonstrating the strong job market for St Luke's specialized training programs.
The financial picture tells a compelling story for healthcare-focused students. While tuition runs $20,940, most students pay far less through aid packages that bring the average net price down to $13,021. Graduates typically leave with $15,000 in debt but earn a median salary of $61,033 within ten years of graduation. Monthly loan payments average just $159, making this debt load manageable given healthcare earning potential. Nearly half of students receive Pell Grants, reflecting the college's accessibility for working-class families.
The student body is overwhelmingly female at 93%, which reflects the nursing profession's demographics. With a 6:1 student-faculty ratio, students get personalized attention that's rare at larger universities. However, the 33% six-year graduation rate suggests the programs are demanding. Every graduate finds employment in their field, demonstrating the strong job market for St Luke's specialized training programs.
Academics & Faculty
St Luke's College specializes exclusively in healthcare education, training students for high-demand medical careers. The school focuses primarily on nursing and radiologic technology programs that prepare graduates for immediate employment in hospitals and clinics. With just 192 students and a 6:1 student-faculty ratio, classes are strongly small and instructors provide intensive, hands-on training. However, the 33% six-year graduation rate reflects the demanding nature of healthcare programs that require mastery of complex medical concepts and clinical skills. Students who complete their programs achieve strong outcomes, with 100% employment rate and median earnings of $61,033 within ten years. The curriculum emphasizes practical clinical experience alongside classroom learning in medical sciences.
Source: College Scorecard / U.S. Department of Education
- Student-to-Faculty Ratio
- 6:1
- Full-Time Faculty
- 61.0%
- Graduation Rate (6-year)
- 33.3%
- Median Earnings (10 years)
- $61,033
- Carnegie Classification
- Associate College (High Career)
Popular Programs by Earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Associate | $50,856 |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions. | Associate | $39,585 |
Campus Life
St Luke's College sits in downtown Sioux City, a river town of 85,000 people about 100 miles north of Omaha. With just 192 students total, this specialized health sciences college creates an intimate learning environment where your 6:1 student-faculty ratio means professors know your name from day one. The campus occupies several buildings in the city's core, putting coffee shops and restaurants within walking distance.
Women make up 93% of the student body, reflecting the college's focus on nursing and radiologic technology programs that traditionally attract female students. Iowa winters demand heavy coats and snow boots, while summers bring humid heat that makes air conditioning essential. With 70% of students coming from in-state, many commute from nearby communities rather than living on campus. Weekend activities often center around clinical rotations and study groups, since healthcare programs demand intensive preparation. The 100% employment rate after graduation drives the serious academic atmosphere, where students bond over shared late-night studying for anatomy exams and clinical skills practice.
Women make up 93% of the student body, reflecting the college's focus on nursing and radiologic technology programs that traditionally attract female students. Iowa winters demand heavy coats and snow boots, while summers bring humid heat that makes air conditioning essential. With 70% of students coming from in-state, many commute from nearby communities rather than living on campus. Weekend activities often center around clinical rotations and study groups, since healthcare programs demand intensive preparation. The 100% employment rate after graduation drives the serious academic atmosphere, where students bond over shared late-night studying for anatomy exams and clinical skills practice.
- Setting
- City-Small
- Calendar System
- Semester
Campus Safety (2023)
No reported Clery Act crimes in 2023.
Climate & Weather
- January Avg
- 8°–29°F
- July Avg
- 63°–85°F
- Annual Precipitation
- 30.3"
- Annual Snowfall
- 36.0"
Student Demographics
St Luke's College draws overwhelmingly female students who make up 93% of the tiny 192-person student body. This gender split reflects the school's focus on nursing and healthcare programs that traditionally attract women. Nearly half of students receive Pell Grants, showing the college serves working-class families seeking practical career training. The student body is 70% from Iowa, indicating strong regional ties and local recognition for healthcare education. Students come from diverse backgrounds, with about one-third representing minority communities, creating a small but varied learning environment focused on entering the medical field.
- Men
- 6.8%
- Women
- 93.2%
- White
- 65.6%
- Black
- 6.8%
- Hispanic
- 17.7%
- Asian
- 0.5%
- In-State Students
- 70.0%
- Pell Grant Recipients
- 46.4%
Location
St Luke's College sits in Sioux City, Iowa, a city of about 85,000 people along the Missouri River. The campus lies roughly 100 miles north of Omaha and 200 miles northwest of Des Moines. This tri-state area where Iowa meets Nebraska and South Dakota offers a mid-sized city environment with healthcare industry connections that benefit the college's specialized programs. Sioux City serves as a regional medical center, housing multiple hospitals and healthcare facilities where students complete clinical rotations. The Missouri River provides recreational opportunities, while the surrounding Great Plains landscape offers a distinctly Midwestern setting. Students considering colleges in Iowa may also compare St Luke's College with similar schools in the region.
- Address
- Sioux City, Iowa 51104-0263
After College
Source: College Scorecard / U.S. Department of Education
- Median Earnings (10 years)
- $61,033
- Median Earnings (5 years)
- $60,944
- Mean Earnings (6 years after entry)
- $44,500
- Loan Repayment Rate
- 80.0%
- Monthly Loan Payment
- $159/mo
- Median Debt at Graduation
- $15,000
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the acceptance rate at St Luke's College?
St Luke's College accepts 80% of applicants with an average ACT score of 17. This health sciences college focuses on training students for specialized healthcare careers rather than maintaining highly selective admissions standards.
How much does St Luke's College cost after financial aid?
The average net price is $13,021, lower than the $20,940 sticker price. About 46% of students receive financial aid, and graduates typically leave with just $15,000 in median debt.
What is the student-faculty ratio at St Luke's College?
St Luke's College maintains a 6:1 student-faculty ratio with only 192 total students enrolled. This intimate setting allows for hands-on training in nursing and radiologic technology programs that the college is known for.
What are the job outcomes for St Luke's College graduates?
Graduates achieve a 100% employment rate and earn a median salary of $61,033 ten years after graduation. However, the college struggles with retention, posting just a 33% six-year graduation rate.
What is the gender composition at St Luke's College?
Women make up 93% of the student body while men represent only 7% of enrollment. This stark gender imbalance reflects the college's focus on healthcare fields like nursing that traditionally attract more female students.
Where do most St Luke's College students come from?
About 70% of students are Iowa residents, with the college drawing primarily from the local Sioux City area. The student body is 66% white, 18% Hispanic, and 7% Black, serving a diverse population in this small Midwest city.
