Non-Profit Private
Accredited · Higher Learning Commission
Ann Arbor, Michigan
72.1% Acceptance Rate
Concordia University Ann Arbor — Admission Snapshot 2026
A complete at-a-glance picture of every metric that matters for your 2026 application
72.1%Acceptance Rate
3.19Avg GPA
1250Avg SAT
24Avg ACT
$50,378Annual Cost
$56,075Grad Salary
24.2%Pell Grant
Acceptance Rate
72.1%
Avg GPA
3.19
Avg SAT
1250
Avg ACT
24
Selectivity
Somewhat Selective
Institution Type
Non-Profit Private
Campus
Main Campus
Accredited By
Higher Learning Commission
SAT Middle 50%
1210–1280
ACT Middle 50%
19–29
Need-Based Aid
24.2% receive Pell
Concordia University Ann Arbor, founded in 1963, is a private Lutheran institution offering faith-based education in fields like nursing and theology. Ranked among regional Midwest universities, it features a scenic riverside campus, modern health sciences labs, and NCAA III athletics.
With small class sizes and a focus on servant leadership, Concordia integrates Christian values into programs such as education and business, fostering community engagement and spiritual growth.
Concordia University Ann Arbor Acceptance Rate
At 72.1%, admission to Concordia University Ann Arbor is achievable for most students who meet the basic academic profile.
What CUAA 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 — 72.1% acceptance rate
Most Selective (0%)Open Enrollment (100%)
Recommended Academic Profile
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.19 – 4.00
Target Match
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
2.99 – 3.18
Competitive Reach
Focus on Score Compensation
Below 2.74
Secondary Reach
Requires Contextual Support
Source: IPEDS & College Scorecard (Nov 2025).
Concordia University Ann Arbor Application Deadlines & Admission Dates 2026
Concordia University Ann Arbor 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
CUAA 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.
💡 The scholarship deadline (Priority scholarship: 2026/02/01) often falls before the regular admission deadline. Submit your application and FAFSA early to be considered for maximum aid.
Deadlines are verified from official institutional sources but may change each cycle. Always confirm final dates on the official website.
CUAA GPA Requirement
The average GPA of admitted students at CUAA is 3.19. That makes admissions here competitive, but not extremely selective. Most admitted students carry a mix of A's and B's.
In the 2.89–3.19 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 3.39–3.59.CUAA 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
3.19 – 4.00
Strategic Reach
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
2.99 – 3.18
Competitive Match
Focus on SAT/ACT Compensation
2.79 – 2.98
Secondary Reach
Personal Statement & Impact
Below 2.78
Institutional Reach
Requires Significant Contextual Factors
Evaluation Metrics That Matter Here
- CUAA sold its historic 187-acre Geddes Road campus to the University of Michigan in May 2026 for $60 million; all current operations are at the Plymouth Road campus (3475 Plymouth Road, Ann Arbor) - this address should be used for all campus visit and communication purposes.
- Program portfolio reduced from 60+ to fewer than 20 as of summer 2025; remaining on-campus programs are exclusively healthcare-focused (BSN, PT, OT, PA Studies); online programs are focused on education and teacher licensure for Michigan educators.
- Physician Assistant Studies earned maximum 10-year accreditation in July 2025; Nursing (BSN) remains CCNE-accredited; overall acceptance rate approximately 70?72% for general admission (IPEDS 2023?24); test-optional with no application fee.
- Affiliated with the Lutheran Church?Missouri Synod (LCMS); campus of Concordia University Wisconsin since 2013 merger; students interested in the full Concordia program range should inquire about the CUW Mequon campus, which was not restructured.
- 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 CUAA
Admission Chance Predictor
Built from Concordia University Ann Arbor's own verified admissions data — adjust the sliders below
--%
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 Ann Arbor (CUAA) Test Requirements
Scores aren't just a formality at CUAA — landing within or above the 2026 admitted class's middle 50% keeps you fully competitive, even where submission is optional.
Can I Get Into CUAA Without SAT or ACT?
CUAA considers scores when submitted, without requiring them. Prepare well and submit your best attempt — most applicants test 2–3 times.
Concordia University Ann Arbor Average SAT Score: 1250
Admitted students at Concordia University Ann Arbor average a 1250 SAT (out of 1600).
SAT Competitiveness
SAT 1250 — Slightly Competitive
A 1250 average tracks near the middle of the national distribution.
Key Insight: Aim for the 75th percentile (1280 SAT or 29 ACT) to stand out. Below average? Concordia University Ann Arbor allows Score Choice for the SAT, so a retake only helps — a low sitting never has to be sent.
Scored under 1210? A retake is worth it at CUAA — 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 | 1250 | 1210 | 1280 |
A score under 1210 puts you in the lower quarter of admits; 1280+ 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 1250
Can I get into Concordia University Ann Arbor (CUAA) with a 1300 SAT?
At 1300, your SAT is squarely in CUAA'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.
Concordia University Ann Arbor (CUAA) ACT Requirements
CUAA's admitted students average an ACT of 24.
ACT Competitiveness
ACT 24 — Slightly Competitive
An average of 24 tracks near the middle of the national distribution.
ACT Scores Breakdown by Sections
| Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| ACT Math | 22 | 18 | 26 |
| ACT English | 23 | 15 | 30 |
| ACT Composite | 24 | 19 | 29 |
Can I get into Concordia University Ann Arbor with a 29 ACT?
At 29, you're in the top quarter of CUAA's admitted class by ACT score. That's a real advantage, but admissions still reads GPA, essays, and activities alongside it.
The ACT's four sections — English, Math, Reading, Science — are each scored independently on a 1–36 scale, and admissions staff do notice a lopsided breakdown. If one section trails the others significantly, that's worth addressing before you apply, particularly for STEM programs where Science carries extra weight.
Beyond the number itself, CUAA weighs your transcript rigor, activities, recommendations, and essays just as heavily — the ACT opens the door, the rest of your file decides what happens next.
Your 2026 Admissions Roadmap for CUAA
Accessible Strategy: Academic Foundation
Getting into CUAA isn't the hard part — building a solid academic foundation and securing aid early is where the real strategy lives.
Understand the Dramatically Reduced Program Footprint Before Applying
As of summer 2025, Concordia University Ann Arbor cut its academic offerings from over 60 programs to fewer than 20, retaining only healthcare programs on campus and online education degrees. The historic 187-acre Geddes Road campus was sold to the University of Michigan in May 2026. All current CUAA operations are now housed at the Plymouth Road campus (formerly the North Campus), which is home to the BSN nursing program, graduate programs in Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, and Physician Assistant Studies, and online teacher education tracks. Students who apply to CUAA in the 2026?27 cycle are enrolling in a significantly restructured institution, not the general liberal arts university that older rankings or review sites describe. Verify the current active program list directly at cuaa.edu before submitting any application.
Healthcare and Health Sciences Students: Evaluate the Plymouth Road Campus's Remaining Strengths
Despite the broader institutional restructuring, CUAA's nursing and health sciences programs retain meaningful accreditation and outcomes. The Physician Assistant Studies program earned a maximum 10-year accreditation renewal in July 2025, and the Ronald and Marvel Jones School of Nursing remains CCNE-accredited with doctorally-prepared faculty and an integrated faith-based mission. Nursing faculty teach exclusively at the BSN level, and the program uses simulation labs, active learning classrooms, and a community health and global education component. For students whose specific program is still offered at Plymouth Road, the faith-integrated, small-cohort structure of remaining CUAA programs may be a genuine advantage over larger secular nursing programs in Michigan.
Lutheran Identity Is Central - Evaluate Fit Before Applying
CUAA is affiliated with the Lutheran Church?Missouri Synod and operates within the Concordia University System. Chapel attendance, faith integration across all coursework, and a community rooted in LCMS theological values define campus life. The LCMS maintains specific doctrinal positions on marriage, sexuality, and faith formation that are enforced as community standards. Students who apply to CUAA treating it as a generic small private nursing school - without accounting for the confessional Lutheran environment - frequently find the culture misaligned with their expectations. The institutional mission has been reaffirmed explicitly by President Ankerberg as the core of CUAA's identity going forward, even as the academic portfolio has been narrowed.
Transfer and Adult Students: Online Education Programs May Be Your Best Entry Point
CUAA's restructuring has placed significant emphasis on online graduate programs in education, particularly for Michigan-based teachers and school leaders seeking advanced credentials. The online M.Ed. and leadership programs specifically target working adults and are designed for flexible completion alongside full-time employment. For students whose goal is health sciences at the graduate level - PT, OT, or PA studies - CUAA's Plymouth Road campus continues to serve as the primary enrollment location. Prospective undergraduate students whose desired programs were among the 40+ discontinued should redirect to the CUW Mequon campus in Wisconsin, which continues to offer the full Concordia University program portfolio.
Expert Insight:
The most dangerous failure mode at CUAA is applying based on program listings, rankings, or third-party profile pages that reflect the pre-2025 version of the institution. A student who enrolls expecting to major in business, criminal justice, communication, or any of the other programs discontinued in the June 2025 restructuring will find that those majors simply no longer exist at the Ann Arbor campus. The institutional website itself has been updated to reflect the new program reality, but aggregator sites, Common App profiles, and college ranking databases lag significantly behind. Any student seriously considering CUAA must verify their specific program's current status directly with the admissions office before submitting applications or deposits.
CUAA Profile
Full Name
Concordia University Ann Arbor (CUAA)
City
Ann Arbor
State
Michigan
ZIP Code
48105
Type
Non-Profit Private
Campus
Main Campus
Official Website
Accredited By
Higher Learning Commission (NCACHE)
Is a CUAA Degree Worth It?
At $50,378/year against a $56,075 median graduate salary, CUAA is worth weighing against your specific program and financial situation — the numbers below give you a real basis for that decision.
Admitted students' families report a median household income around $64,700, and graduates see a 3.28% unemployment rate.
How much does a degree from CUAA Cost?
Listed tuition runs $50,378/year at CUAA; factor in Pell and federal grant aid and most students land typically much lower.
At CUAA, 24.2% receive a Pell Grant and 55.2% carry federal loans. Filing FAFSA early and naming CUAA on it improves your shot at both.
How much does a CUAA Graduate earn?
Ten years out from enrollment, CUAA graduates report a median income of $56,075, about 38% 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 Ann Arbor. If your SAT or ACT score is slightly lower, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Mobile | Mobile, AL | 1220 | 24 |
| Samford University | Birmingham, AL | 1203 | 26 |
| John Brown University | Siloam Springs, AR | 1222 | 26 |
| Ouachita Baptist University | Arkadelphia, AR | 1212 | 25 |
| California Lutheran University | Thousand Oaks, CA | 1224 | 26 |
| University of Redlands | Redlands, CA | 1231 | 28 |
| Eastern Connecticut State University | Willimantic, CT | 1200 | NA |
| University of Hartford | West Hartford, CT | 1207 | 29 |
| Quinnipiac University | Hamden, CT | 1212 | 27 |
| Howard University | Washington, DC | 1205 | 25 |
Equally Competitive Schools
These schools have the same range of average SAT or ACT scores as Concordia University Ann Arbor. If your SAT or ACT score is competitive, you'll be competitive for these schools also.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Alabama at Birmingham | Birmingham, AL | 1251 | 26 |
| Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Prescott | Prescott, AZ | 1256 | 27 |
| Biola University | La Mirada, CA | 1258 | 27 |
| Eckerd College | Saint Petersburg, FL | 1256 | 27 |
| Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach | Daytona Beach, FL | 1256 | 27 |
More Competitive Schools
These schools have higher average SAT or ACT scores than Concordia University Ann Arbor. If you improve your SAT or ACT score, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Alabama in Huntsville | Huntsville, AL | 1321 | 28 |
| The University of Alabama | Tuscaloosa, AL | 1287 | 28 |
| Auburn University | Auburn, AL | 1318 | 28 |
| University of the Pacific | Stockton, CA | 1303 | 27 |
| University of San Francisco | San Francisco, CA | 1313 | 29 |
Degree Programs at CUAA
Bachelor Degree Programs
Frequently Asked Questions About CUAA Admissions
Concordia University Ann Arbor graduates earn a moderate median salary of $56,075/year, with some variation by field.
Tuition at Concordia University Ann Arbor runs high — roughly $50,378+/year — so financial aid planning matters.
24.2% receive a Pell Grant here, below the ~35% national average — Concordia University Ann Arbor skews toward higher-income students, though merit aid may still be worth checking.
Concordia University Ann Arbor's acceptance rate is 72.1%, comparatively higher than most selective universities — admission is more attainable here.
The average GPA of admitted Concordia University Ann Arbor students is 3.19, reflecting a competitive applicant pool.
There's no strict cutoff, but a GPA at or above 2.89 puts you in the standard applicant pool at Concordia University Ann Arbor. Below that, your essays and recommendations need to work harder to provide context.
A GPA of 2.79 or below makes admission tougher at Concordia University Ann Arbor, but strong test scores, activities, and essays — plus AP/IB coursework — can still keep you in contention.
Concordia University Ann Arbor weighs the SAT heavily. Scoring above 1250, and within the 1210–1280 range, keeps you competitive.
Concordia University Ann Arbor follows Rolling Admissions — applications are reviewed year-round, so applying early is your best strategy.
For priority financial aid consideration, get your FAFSA in before Priority scholarship: 2026/02/01 — that's Concordia University Ann Arbor's scholarship priority date.
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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