Overview
Enrollment
| Location | River Forest, Illinois |
| Online | cuchicago.edu |
| School Type | Private 4 Year |
| Setting | Large Suburban |
| Religious Affiliation | Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod |
| Size | Small |
| Status | Non-profit |
| On Campus Housing | Yes |
| Level of Study | Undergrad/Graduate |
Concordia University Chicago sits on a 40-acre campus in River Forest, Illinois, a residential suburb located 10 miles west of downtown Chicago. Founded in 1864 as a Lutheran teacher training college, the institution maintains its affiliation with the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod while operating as a comprehensive liberal arts university. The campus features collegiate Gothic architecture and includes modern academic facilities alongside historic buildings listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The university emphasizes programs in education, business, music, and theological studies, with education being a particularly prominent area of focus due to its origins as a teacher's college. Concordia Chicago provides traditional dormitory housing for undergraduate students and competes in NCAA Division III athletics as the Cougars.
Ratings
Overall
Academics
Resources
Outcomes
Value
Concordia University Chicago is rated within the lower 42% of four-year colleges nationally and earns a CollegeSimply grade of 5 out of 10. Learn how ratings are calculated
Rankings
Rankings for Concordia University Chicago within the 2025 CollegeSimply Best Colleges Lists.
#749 in Best Colleges in the U.S.
#486 in Best Private Colleges in the U.S.
#37 in Best Colleges in Illinois
#27 in Best Private Colleges in Illinois
#48 in Best Value Colleges in Illinois
View the CollegeSimply ranking methodology.
Getting In
Admission Standards
| SAT | 990/1180 |
| ACT | 19/25 |
| GPA | 3.18 |
Applications Accepted
| Applications Due | - |
| Applicant Competition | Very Low |
| Application Fee | $0 |
Annual Cost to Attend
Tuition
| Fee | Cost |
|---|---|
| Books and Supplies | $1,200 |
| Other Fees | $1,058 |
| Room and Board | $11,140 |
| Budget for Other Expenses | $1,400 |
| Total One Year Cost | $49,998 |
Outcomes
Average Salary After 10 Years
Bachelor's Degree Graduation Rate
Popular Areas of Study
| Subject | Percent of Class |
|---|---|
| Education | 34% |
| Business | 16% |
| Visual and Performing Arts | 9% |
| Social Sciences | 6% |
| Psychology | 5% |
Other Colleges to Consider
Students considering Concordia University Chicago are frequently interested in these similar colleges.
Primary data source, U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=144351 IPEDS survey data for Concordia University Chicago.
Current students may use the Concordia University Chicago GPA calculator to determine their current college GPA.
Last updated February 24, 2025