Non-Profit Private
Accredited · Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior Colleges and University Commission
Irvine, California
59.9% Acceptance Rate
Concordia University-Irvine — Admission Snapshot 2026
A complete at-a-glance picture of every metric that matters for your 2026 application
59.9%Acceptance Rate
3.61Avg GPA
1145Avg SAT
$56,500Annual Cost
$65,083Grad Salary
23%Pell Grant
Acceptance Rate
59.9%
Avg GPA
3.61
Avg SAT
1145
Selectivity
Somewhat Selective
Institution Type
Non-Profit Private
Campus
Main Campus
Accredited By
Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior Colleges and University Commission
SAT Middle 50%
1105–1175
Need-Based Aid
23% receive Pell
Concordia University Irvine, established in 1976 in Orange County, California, is a private Lutheran liberal arts university ranked among the top regional universities in the West by U.S. News. CUI offers 50+ programs through five schools, with strengths in nursing, business, and theology. The university's 70-acre campus features the state-of-the-art Center for Applied Learning and the new Borland-Manske Center that bridges arts and sciences. CUI maintains a 14:1 student-to-faculty ratio and integrates faith and learning through its 'Christ-Centered' mission.
CUI's location in affluent Irvine provides internship opportunities with Fortune 500 companies and tech firms. The Eagles compete in NCAA Division II athletics in the PacWest Conference. The university's distinctive Great Books Honors Program and STEM programs attract high-achieving students. CUI's Center for American Freedom houses important historical documents, while its theatre program stages professional-quality productions. The campus's Spanish Renaissance architecture and ocean views create a distinctive Southern California learning environment.
Concordia University-Irvine Acceptance Rate
At 59.9%, admission to Concordia University-Irvine is achievable for most students who meet the basic academic profile.
What Concordia University Irvine Admissions Looks For
- Whole-Person Review: Personal circumstances and career goals are weighed alongside grades.
- Flexible on GPA: Strong extracurriculars or work experience can offset an average transcript.
Selectivity at a Glance
Somewhat Selective
Selectivity scale: Somewhat Selective — 59.9% acceptance rate
Most Selective (0%)Open Enrollment (100%)
Recommended Academic Profile
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.61 – 4.00
Target Match
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.41 – 3.60
Competitive Reach
Focus on Score Compensation
Below 3.16
Secondary Reach
Requires Contextual Support
Source: IPEDS & College Scorecard (Nov 2025).
Concordia University-Irvine Application Deadlines & Admission Dates 2026
Concordia University-Irvine follows a Rolling Admissions policy, meaning applications are reviewed as they arrive and there is no single fixed deadline, though the priority deadline of August 21 is recommended for the best chances of admission and financial aid.
Key Admission Dates
⏳ 23 days left — Rolling Admission
Rolling Admissions — Apply Anytime
Concordia University Irvine reviews applications continuously throughout the year. Seats and scholarships are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis, so applying early gives you a significant advantage for both admission and financial aid.
Rolling Admission
August 21
Early Action
November 15
Early Action II / Priority (Fall 2026)
February 15
Decision by: March 1
Deadlines are verified from official institutional sources but may change each cycle. Always confirm final dates on the official website.
Concordia University Irvine GPA Requirement
The average GPA of admitted students at Concordia University Irvine is 3.61. That makes admissions here highly selective. Most admitted students carry mostly A's with the occasional B.
Between 3.31 and 3.61? A strong standardized test score is worth prioritizing.
Most schools report GPA on a weighted or unweighted 4.0 scale differently — for an unweighted profile like this, students with AP/IB coursework typically carry a weighted GPA of 3.81–4.01.Concordia University Irvine GPA & Admission Outlook
Assessment: Selective; solid academic performance is expected.
Recommended Strategy: Focus on a Strong 'Spike' in extracurriculars or research.
Where your GPA falls in this range shapes what the rest of your application needs to do:
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.61 – 4.00
Target/Match
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.41 – 3.60
Competitive Match
Focus on SAT/ACT Compensation
3.21 – 3.40
Secondary Reach
Personal Statement & Impact
Below 3.20
Institutional Reach
Requires Significant Contextual Factors
Evaluation Metrics That Matter Here
- No personal essay, no letter of recommendation, and no application fee required for first-year applicants (per Common App and CUI's own site).
- Minimum GPA is 2.80; SAT/ACT are explicitly not required, with alternative documentation possible in lieu of scores.
- Early Action deadline is November 15, 2025 (notified mid-December); Early Action II Priority is February 15, 2026; after that, admission is rolling through August 21, 2026.
- LCMS-Lutheran, CCCU-member, WSCUC-accredited, and dual-designated as an HSI and AANAPISI institution - relevant for mission-fit and diversity-program messaging.
- Rigor Over Raw Number: A slightly lower GPA (say 3.8) paired with multiple AP or IB courses often outweighs a flat 4.0 from a standard curriculum.
- Trajectory Matters: A lower start in 9th or 10th grade, followed by a clear upward trend senior year, reads as academic resilience rather than a weakness.
Data verified via IPEDS, College Scorecard (Nov 2025) and the Common Data Set (CDS). Expert Review led by Sohaib Khan and Dr. Waseem.
Check Your Admission Chances at Concordia University Irvine
Admission Chance Predictor
Real-Time Sensitive Analysis — based on Concordia University-Irvine's verified institutional data
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Calculating Profile...
Adjust the sliders to see how every decimal point affects your outcome.
Your SAT Score 1200
Your Unweighted GPA 3.00
✅ Verified Data: Institutional records for 2026.
Calculated via College Portal's Human-Intelligence (HI) Methodology & Editorial Standards. Verified by Sohaib Ahmad Khan.
Concordia University-Irvine (Concordia University Irvine) Test Requirements
Standardized scores still matter here: aim for the middle 50% range of the 2026 admitted class below, and if Concordia University Irvine is test-optional, a high score submitted voluntarily still helps with merit scholarships.
Can I Get Into Concordia University Irvine Without SAT or ACT?
Concordia University Irvine neither requires nor recommends test scores. Submit yours only if it's above the state or national average — otherwise, leaving it off works in your favor.
Concordia University-Irvine Average SAT Score: 1145
The average SAT score of admitted students at Concordia University-Irvine is 1145 on the 1600-point scale.
SAT Competitiveness
SAT 1145 — Less Competitive
This average is slightly below the national mean SAT score.
Key Insight: Aim for the 75th percentile (1175 SAT) to stand out. Below average? Concordia University-Irvine allows Score Choice for the SAT, so a retake only helps — a low sitting never has to be sent.
If your score is below 1105, retaking the SAT is strongly recommended to improve your chances at Concordia University Irvine. Retaking multiple times is completely normal — most competitive applicants sit for it two or three times. There's no official limit on attempts.
SAT Scores Breakdown by Sections
| Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| SAT Math | - | - | - |
| SAT Reading | - | - | - |
| SAT Composite | 1145 | 1105 | 1175 |
Below 1105, you're behind most admitted students; at 1175 or above, you're ahead of 75% of them. (25th/75th percentile = the score below which that share of admitted students fall.)
View list of all colleges with average SAT score of 1150
Can I get into Concordia University-Irvine (Concordia University Irvine) with a 1200 SAT?
A 1200 SAT puts you ahead of most of Concordia University Irvine's admitted class — but admissions still weighs GPA, course rigor, and essays alongside it. A strong score opens the door; the rest of your profile decides what happens next.
Your 2026 Admissions Roadmap for Concordia University Irvine
Accessible Strategy: Academic Foundation
Getting into Concordia University Irvine isn't the hard part — building a solid academic foundation and securing aid early is where the real strategy lives.
Use the no-essay, no-rec window to apply early and often
Concordia's first-year Common App listing shows no personal essay and no recommendation letter required, and no application fee. That means there's little reason for a qualifying student (2.80+ GPA) not to apply Early Action by Nov 15 - it's genuinely low-friction, so counselors should push borderline students to submit rather than assume a "reach" mentality.
Test-optional really means optional here - read the GPA line literally
The published admission standard is a 2.80 minimum GPA with SAT/ACT explicitly "not required." Applicants under that GPA line, or without strong transcripts, may be asked for supplemental documentation instead of test scores - so a shaky GPA is the actual risk factor to shore up, not test prep.
Lean into the Christian mission in fit language, not the essay
Since there's no required essay to signal faith alignment, fit gets communicated through the college list narrative, campus visit, or optional interview instead. CUI is LCMS-affiliated and CCCU-member; students who articulate genuine interest in its faith-integrated Core (the "Questions & Ideas" curriculum) stand out in advisor conversations even without a written essay.
Use the AP/CLEP/IB credit cap strategically
CUI caps transfer/exam credit at 30 non-accredited credit-by-exam units (AP, CLEP, DSST, IB). A student sitting on 40+ credits from dual enrollment should plan which exams to actually submit, since anything past the cap won't count - prioritize the courses that clear major prerequisites.
Expert Insight:
Families sometimes skip Early Action because "there's no essay, so what's the rush" - but EA (Nov 15) and EA II Priority (Feb 15) are tied to scholarship and housing priority, not just admission speed. Waiting for rolling admission after Feb 15 forfeits that priority.
Concordia University Irvine Profile
Full Name
Concordia University-Irvine (Concordia University Irvine)
City
Irvine
State
California
ZIP Code
92612-3203
Type
Non-Profit Private
Campus
Main Campus
Official Website
Accredited By
Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior Colleges and University Commission (WASCSR)
Is a Concordia University Irvine Degree Worth It?
At $56,500/year against a $65,083 median graduate salary, Concordia University Irvine is worth weighing against your specific program and financial situation — the numbers below give you a real basis for that decision.
The average household income among admitted students is $79,900, with a graduate unemployment rate of 3.43%.
How much does a degree from Concordia University Irvine Cost?
The sticker price is $56,500/year, but the average net price students actually pay — after Pell and federal grants — is typically much lower.
23% of students receive a Pell Grant and 50.9% take federal loans at Concordia University Irvine — file your FAFSA early and list Concordia University Irvine as a choice to be considered for both.
How much does a Concordia University Irvine Graduate earn?
Median earnings 10 years after enrollment (roughly 4–6 years post-graduation) are $65,083 — about 60% above the U.S. median graduate income.
Compare Similar Colleges
Less Competitive Schools
These schools have lower average SAT or ACT scores than Concordia University-Irvine. If your SAT or ACT score is slightly lower, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of South Alabama | Mobile, AL | 1119 | 23 |
| Tuskegee University | Tuskegee, AL | 1121 | 22 |
| Grand Canyon University | Phoenix, AZ | 1095 | 22 |
| Arkansas State University | Jonesboro, AR | 1119 | 22 |
| University of Central Arkansas | Conway, AR | 1117 | 22 |
| University of La Verne | La Verne, CA | 1116 | 22 |
| University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus | Denver, CO | 1119 | 24 |
| Western Colorado University | Gunnison, CO | 1130 | 25 |
| University of Saint Joseph | West Hartford, CT | 1100 | NA |
| Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University | Tallahassee, FL | 1100 | 22 |
Equally Competitive Schools
These schools have the same range of average SAT or ACT scores as Concordia University-Irvine. If your SAT or ACT score is competitive, you'll be competitive for these schools also.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Huntingdon College | Montgomery, AL | 1148 | 23 |
| Azusa Pacific University | Azusa, CA | 1155 | 22 |
| University of Colorado Colorado Springs | Colorado Springs, CO | 1140 | 25 |
| Lynn University | Boca Raton, FL | 1136 | 25 |
| Florida International University | Miami, FL | 1154 | 23 |
More Competitive Schools
These schools have higher average SAT or ACT scores than Concordia University-Irvine. If you improve your SAT or ACT score, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Birmingham-Southern College | Birmingham, AL | 1197 | 24 |
| University of Mobile | Mobile, AL | 1220 | 24 |
| Samford University | Birmingham, AL | 1203 | 26 |
| Harding University | Searcy, AR | 1187 | 25 |
| John Brown University | Siloam Springs, AR | 1222 | 26 |
Degree Programs at Concordia University Irvine
Bachelor Degree Programs
Masters Degree Programs
Frequently Asked Questions About Concordia University Irvine Admissions
Median graduate earnings at Concordia University-Irvine run about $65,083 a year.
At about $56,500 a year, Concordia University-Irvine's cost is on the higher end; look closely at aid options.
Concordia University-Irvine's Pell Grant rate of 23.0% sits below the national average — merit-based aid is worth checking regardless of income.
At 59.9%, Concordia University-Irvine's acceptance rate is on the more attainable end compared to top-tier selective schools.
Admitted students at Concordia University-Irvine average a 3.61 GPA.
Concordia University-Irvine doesn't publish a hard GPA floor — but landing at or above 3.31 keeps you in the typical applicant range; below it, lean on essays and recommendations.
Below 3.21, Concordia University-Irvine becomes a harder reach — though a strong test score, meaningful activities, and AP/IB coursework can still make a real case.
A strong SAT score matters at Concordia University-Irvine — aim above 1145, ideally within the 1105–1175 range admitted students typically fall in.
The application deadline for Concordia University-Irvine is August 21 for Rolling Admission applicants. Rolling Admissions is also offered, so applying early improves your chances.
Yes — transfers are common. Have transcripts, recommendation letters, and a solid personal statement ready to make your case.
Strong academics, a focused extracurricular profile, and standout essays move the needle most — along with a competitive SAT/ACT score where relevant.
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