Non-Profit Private
Accredited · Higher Learning Commission
River Forest, Illinois
93.4% Acceptance Rate
Concordia University-Chicago — Admission Snapshot 2026
A complete at-a-glance picture of every metric that matters for your 2026 application
93.4%Acceptance Rate
3.18Avg GPA
1085Avg SAT
$44,252Annual Cost
$54,089Grad Salary
44.6%Pell Grant
Acceptance Rate
93.4%
Avg GPA
3.18
Avg SAT
1085
Selectivity
Inclusive
Institution Type
Non-Profit Private
Campus
Main Campus
Accredited By
Higher Learning Commission
SAT Middle 50%
1045–1115
Need-Based Aid
44.6% receive Pell
Concordia University-Chicago is a private, Lutheran-affiliated liberal arts institution that emphasizes academic excellence, faith integration, and service to the community. Admissions are holistic, evaluating students on their academic record, character, and their readiness to thrive in an environment that prioritizes mentorship and personal development. The university seeks individuals who are looking for a high-quality education that integrates professional preparation with a solid liberal arts foundation.
Applicants should highlight their history of participation in school or church extracurriculars, as these reflect the university's mission-focused and service-oriented culture. Demonstrating a clear approach to one's future career plans and explaining how a values-centered education will facilitate those goals is a strong way to impress the admissions committee. The university looks for students who will contribute to its supportive, community-oriented campus environment and who have a track record of being responsible and engaged members of their high school or local community.
Concordia University-Chicago Acceptance Rate
Admission at Concordia University-Chicago is inclusive by design: 93.4% of applicants who meet basic eligibility are accepted.
What to Expect
- Eligibility First: A high school diploma or GED typically clears the main bar.
- Plan Ahead for Placement: Placement tests can shape which courses you start in — worth preparing for.
Selectivity at a Glance
Inclusive
Selectivity scale: Inclusive — 93.4% acceptance rate
Most Selective (0%)Open Enrollment (100%)
Recommended Academic Profile
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.18 – 4.00
Target Match
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
2.98 – 3.17
Competitive Reach
Focus on Score Compensation
Below 2.73
Secondary Reach
Requires Contextual Support
Source: IPEDS & College Scorecard (Nov 2025).
Concordia University-Chicago Application Deadlines & Admission Dates 2026
Concordia University-Chicago follows a Rolling Admissions policy, meaning applications are reviewed as they arrive and there is no single fixed deadline.
Key Admission Dates
Rolling Admissions — Apply Anytime
Concordia University Chicago 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.
Deadlines are verified from official institutional sources but may change each cycle. Always confirm final dates on the official website.
Concordia University Chicago GPA Requirement
The average GPA of admitted students at Concordia University Chicago is 3.18. That makes admissions here competitive, but not extremely selective. Most admitted students carry a mix of A's and B's.
In the 2.88–3.18 range, a high SAT or ACT score still carries real weight.
Note the scale: this figure reflects an unweighted 4.0 GPA. Add AP or IB coursework and the equivalent weighted GPA usually lands around 3.38–3.58.Concordia University Chicago GPA & Admission Outlook
Assessment: Admission here leans heavily on holistic review.
Recommended Strategy: Leans on context — leadership, personal circumstances, or a standout talent.
This range is a rough map — where you land determines what else needs to carry weight in your application:
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.18 – 4.00
Strategic Reach
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
2.98 – 3.17
Competitive Match
Focus on SAT/ACT Compensation
2.78 – 2.97
Secondary Reach
Personal Statement & Impact
Below 2.77
Institutional Reach
Requires Significant Contextual Factors
Evaluation Metrics That Matter Here
- Beginning fall 2025, new full-time students in church professional programs have tuition and mandatory fees capped at $5,000/year, stackable with external LCMS district/congregation scholarships.
- The Lutheran Teacher Education program's student teaching semester runs 16 weeks - four weeks longer than most peer programs.
- LTE students must complete required coursework with a 2.75 GPA in LTE-specific courses to be eligible for a "Call" to teach in LCMS schools.
- General first-year admission requires no essay, no application fee, and no letter of recommendation, and is test-optional.
- Rigor Over Raw Number: Course rigor is read alongside the number itself — a 3.8 with a demanding schedule can beat a 4.0 without one.
- Trajectory Matters: Grades that climb toward graduation tend to matter more than a flat average — the trajectory tells its own story.
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 Chicago
Admission Chance Predictor
Built from Concordia University-Chicago's own verified admissions data — adjust the sliders below
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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-Chicago (Concordia University Chicago) Test Requirements
Scores aren't just a formality at Concordia University Chicago — landing within or above the 2026 admitted class's middle 50% keeps you fully competitive, even where submission is optional.
Can I Get Into Concordia University Chicago Without SAT or ACT?
Concordia University Chicago 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-Chicago Average SAT Score: 1085
Admitted students at Concordia University-Chicago average a 1085 SAT (out of 1600).
SAT Competitiveness
SAT 1085 — Accessible
A 1085 average means even a modest SAT score can strengthen your application.
Key Insight: Aim for the 75th percentile (1115 SAT) to stand out. Below average? Concordia University-Chicago allows Score Choice for the SAT, so a retake only helps — a low sitting never has to be sent.
Scored under 1045? A retake is worth it at Concordia University Chicago — two or three sittings is standard for competitive applicants, and there's no cap on how many times you can test.
SAT Scores Breakdown by Sections
| Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| SAT Math | - | - | - |
| SAT Reading | - | - | - |
| SAT Composite | 1085 | 1045 | 1115 |
A score under 1045 puts you in the lower quarter of admits; 1115+ puts you ahead of three-quarters of the admitted class. (These percentiles mark where a given share of the admitted class scored at or below.)
View list of all colleges with average SAT score of 1100
Can I get into Concordia University-Chicago (Concordia University Chicago) with a 1100 SAT?
At 1100, your SAT is squarely in Concordia University Chicago's favor. That said, admissions staff read the full file — GPA, activities, and essays still carry real weight even with a strong score in hand.
Your 2026 Admissions Roadmap for Concordia University Chicago
Inclusive Strategy: Success & Transfer
Concordia University Chicago provides an open gateway to higher education. Success here is about using available resources well and planning your longer-term academic or career path.
Confirm the Church-Work Tuition Cap for Church Professional Programs
Beginning fall 2025, new full-time students in church professional programs (like Lutheran Teacher Education) have tuition and mandatory fees capped at $5,000/year, stackable with external LCMS district/congregation scholarships. Confirm eligibility directly with financial aid, since it's a distinct pricing structure from general undergraduate tuition.
Use the Extended 16-Week Student Teaching as a Differentiator
CUC's Lutheran Teacher Education program's student teaching semester runs four weeks longer than most programs. Education-track applicants should mention this extended practicum specifically when discussing program fit - it reflects a deeper hands-on requirement than peer teacher-prep programs.
Track the 2.75 GPA Requirement for Call Eligibility Separately
To be eligible for a "Call" to teach in LCMS schools, LTE students must complete required coursework with a 2.75 GPA in LTE-specific courses. Track this threshold separately from overall university GPA, since it's a program-specific eligibility bar tied to church employment, not just graduation.
Redirect Writing Effort Since No Essay Is Required
General first-year admission requires no essay, no application fee, and no letter of recommendation, and is test-optional. Redirect any application-writing effort toward specific institutional scholarship essays or the LTE program's specific requirements instead.
Expert Insight:
CUC gives preference to members of the Lutheran faith in admissions while remaining non-discriminatory on other bases. Students and families of other faith backgrounds should understand this stated preference and evaluate campus religious culture and expectations (chapel, faith-based coursework) directly, particularly for church-affiliated programs like LTE.
Concordia University Chicago Profile
Full Name
Concordia University-Chicago (Concordia University Chicago)
City
River Forest
State
Illinois
ZIP Code
60305-1499
Type
Non-Profit Private
Campus
Main Campus
Official Website
Accredited By
Higher Learning Commission (NCACHE)
Is a Concordia University Chicago Degree Worth It?
Whether Concordia University Chicago is worth it depends less on its reputation and more on your program choice, financial aid package, and career goals — here's the data to weigh it against.
Admitted students' families report a median household income around $68,600, and graduates see a 3.78% unemployment rate.
How much does a degree from Concordia University Chicago Cost?
Listed tuition runs $44,252/year at Concordia University Chicago; factor in Pell and federal grant aid and most students land typically much lower.
At Concordia University Chicago, 44.6% receive a Pell Grant and 58.6% carry federal loans. Filing FAFSA early and naming Concordia University Chicago on it improves your shot at both.
How much does a Concordia University Chicago Graduate earn?
Ten years out from enrollment, Concordia University Chicago graduates report a median income of $54,089, about 33% 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-Chicago. If your SAT or ACT score is slightly lower, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jacksonville State University | Jacksonville, AL | 1055 | 21 |
| Marion Military Institute | Marion, AL | 1043 | 20 |
| University of Arkansas at Little Rock | Little Rock, AR | 1049 | 21 |
| Arkansas Tech University | Russellville, AR | 1050 | 21 |
| Southern Arkansas University Main Campus | Magnolia, AR | 1050 | 20 |
| University of Arkansas-Fort Smith | Fort Smith, AR | 1050 | 21 |
| Colorado Mesa University | Grand Junction, CO | 1070 | 23 |
| Western Connecticut State University | Danbury, CT | 1044 | 24 |
| Baptist University of Florida | Graceville, FL | 1045 | 20 |
| Florida College | Temple Terrace, FL | 1068 | 19 |
Equally Competitive Schools
These schools have the same range of average SAT or ACT scores as Concordia University-Chicago. If your SAT or ACT score is competitive, you'll be competitive for these schools also.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Auburn University at Montgomery | Montgomery, AL | 1090 | 21 |
| Spring Hill College | Mobile, AL | 1090 | 22 |
| Troy University | Troy, AL | 1086 | 22 |
| Grand Canyon University | Phoenix, AZ | 1095 | 22 |
| University of the Ozarks | Clarksville, AR | 1088 | 21 |
More Competitive Schools
These schools have higher average SAT or ACT scores than Concordia University-Chicago. If you improve your SAT or ACT score, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Huntingdon College | Montgomery, AL | 1148 | 23 |
| University of South Alabama | Mobile, AL | 1119 | 23 |
| Tuskegee University | Tuskegee, AL | 1121 | 22 |
| Arkansas State University | Jonesboro, AR | 1119 | 22 |
| University of Central Arkansas | Conway, AR | 1117 | 22 |
Degree Programs at Concordia University Chicago
Bachelor Degree Programs
Frequently Asked Questions About Concordia University Chicago Admissions
Concordia University-Chicago graduates earn a moderate median salary of $54,089/year, with some variation by field.
Tuition at Concordia University-Chicago is moderate, around $44,252/year; many students supplement with aid.
44.6% of Concordia University-Chicago students get a Pell Grant. Your odds depend mostly on household income — filing FAFSA early still helps maximize what you're offered.
Concordia University-Chicago's acceptance rate is 93.4%, comparatively higher than most selective universities — admission is more attainable here.
The average GPA of admitted Concordia University-Chicago students is 3.18, reflecting a competitive applicant pool.
There's no strict cutoff, but a GPA at or above 2.88 puts you in the standard applicant pool at Concordia University-Chicago. Below that, your essays and recommendations need to work harder to provide context.
A GPA of 2.78 or below makes admission tougher at Concordia University-Chicago, but strong test scores, activities, and essays — plus AP/IB coursework — can still keep you in contention.
Concordia University-Chicago weighs the SAT heavily. Scoring above 1085, and within the 1045–1115 range, keeps you competitive.
Concordia University-Chicago follows Rolling Admissions — applications are reviewed year-round, so applying early is your best strategy.
Transferring in is a well-trodden path here. Line up your transcripts, recommendations, and a strong personal statement before applying.
The biggest levers are academic performance, a clear extracurricular focus, and essays that stand out — plus a solid test score where the school considers one.
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