Non-Profit Private
Accredited · Higher Learning Commission
Saint Paul, Minnesota
74.9% Acceptance Rate
Concordia University-Saint Paul — Admission Snapshot 2026
A complete at-a-glance picture of every metric that matters for your 2026 application
74.9%Acceptance Rate
3.14Avg GPA
$34,495Annual Cost
$59,871Grad Salary
34%Pell Grant
Acceptance Rate
74.9%
Avg GPA
3.14
Selectivity
Somewhat Selective
Institution Type
Non-Profit Private
Campus
Main Campus
Accredited By
Higher Learning Commission
SAT Middle 50%
-40–30
Need-Based Aid
34% receive Pell
Concordia University-Saint Paul, founded in 1893 in Minnesota's capital city, is a private Lutheran university ranked among the top regional universities in the Midwest by U.S. News. CSP offers 50+ undergraduate programs with strengths in business, education, and health sciences across its 41-acre urban campus. The university's modern facilities include the Graebner Memorial Chapel and the recently renovated Science and Engineering Center. CSP maintains a 14:1 student-to-faculty ratio and integrates faith and learning through its 'Christ-Centered' curriculum.
CSP's location in Saint Paul provides internship opportunities with Fortune 500 companies like 3M and Ecolab. The Golden Bears compete in NCAA Division II athletics in the NSIC conference. The university's innovative 'Accelerated Learning' format serves working adults through evening and online programs. CSP's Center for Biblical Studies houses important Lutheran archives, while its music program maintains a strong tradition of sacred music performance.
Concordia University-Saint Paul Acceptance Rate
Concordia University-Saint Paul takes a broad view of applicants, admitting about 74.9% each year.
What Concordia St Paul 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 — 74.9% acceptance rate
Most Selective (0%)Open Enrollment (100%)
Recommended Academic Profile
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.14 – 4.00
Target Match
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
2.94 – 3.13
Competitive Reach
Focus on Score Compensation
Below 2.69
Secondary Reach
Requires Contextual Support
Source: IPEDS & College Scorecard (Nov 2025).
Concordia University-Saint Paul Application Deadlines & Admission Dates 2026
Concordia University-Saint Paul 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 St Paul 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: 2026/03/01) 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.
Concordia St Paul GPA Requirement
The average GPA of admitted students at Concordia St Paul is 3.14. That makes admissions here competitive, but not extremely selective. Most admitted students carry a mix of A's and B's.
In the 2.84–3.14 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 3.34–3.54.Concordia St Paul 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
3.14 – 4.00
Strategic Reach
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
2.94 – 3.13
Competitive Match
Focus on SAT/ACT Compensation
2.74 – 2.93
Secondary Reach
Personal Statement & Impact
Below 2.73
Institutional Reach
Requires Significant Contextual Factors
Evaluation Metrics That Matter Here
- No application fee; rolling admission through Aug 31.
- Test-optional (SAT/ACT not required); some sources describe the policy as fully test-blind.
- Sources conflict on the essay requirement - some cite a required 500-word essay, others list no personal essay required for first-year applicants via Common App.
- Affiliated with the Lutheran Church?Missouri Synod; students represent all 50 states and 40+ countries.
- 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 St Paul
Admission Chance Predictor
Built from Concordia University-Saint Paul'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
⚠️ Note: Predicting based on regional averages as this institution does not publicly report full score datasets.
Calculated via College Portal's Human-Intelligence (HI) Methodology & Editorial Standards. Verified by Sohaib Ahmad Khan.
Concordia University-Saint Paul (Concordia St Paul) Test Requirements
Scores aren't just a formality at Concordia St Paul — 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 St Paul Without SAT or ACT?
Concordia St Paul 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.
Your 2026 Admissions Roadmap for Concordia St Paul
Accessible Strategy: Academic Foundation
Concordia St Paul is accessible to students who show core competency. Focus on proving readiness for college-level work and locking in financial aid.
Confirm current essay status before writing one
Sources conflict - some list a required 500-word essay, others show no personal essay required for first-year applicants - check CSP's own portal for your specific cycle.
Go test-optional without hesitation
CSP doesn't require SAT/ACT, and some sources describe the policy as fully test-blind - a weak score adds no value here.
Apply well before the Aug 31 rolling cutoff
Admission stays open late, but earlier applications get earlier scholarship and housing consideration at this mid-sized campus.
Reflect Lutheran heritage or service values authentically if genuine
CSP's LCMS affiliation and service culture are real evaluative signals - worth reflecting honestly, not performing.
Expert Insight:
Sources genuinely disagree on whether CSP requires a personal essay - don't assume either way; confirm directly with admissions before skipping or over-investing in this component.
Concordia St Paul Profile
Full Name
Concordia University-Saint Paul (Concordia St Paul)
City
Saint Paul
State
Minnesota
ZIP Code
55104-5494
Type
Non-Profit Private
Campus
Main Campus
Official Website
Accredited By
Higher Learning Commission (NCACHE)
Is a Concordia St Paul Degree Worth It?
At $34,495/year against a $59,871 median graduate salary, Concordia St Paul 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 $71,300, and graduates see a 2.85% unemployment rate.
How much does a degree from Concordia St Paul Cost?
Listed tuition runs $34,495/year at Concordia St Paul; factor in Pell and federal grant aid and most students land typically much lower.
At Concordia St Paul, 34% receive a Pell Grant and 56% carry federal loans. Filing FAFSA early and naming Concordia St Paul on it improves your shot at both.
How much does a Concordia St Paul Graduate earn?
Ten years out from enrollment, Concordia St Paul graduates report a median income of $59,871, about 47% above the U.S. median graduate income.
Degree Programs at Concordia St Paul
Bachelor Degree Programs
Frequently Asked Questions About Concordia St Paul Admissions
Concordia University-Saint Paul graduates earn a moderate median salary of $59,871/year, with some variation by field.
Tuition at Concordia University-Saint Paul is moderate, around $34,495/year; many students supplement with aid.
34.0% of Concordia University-Saint Paul students get a Pell Grant. Your odds depend mostly on household income — filing FAFSA early still helps maximize what you're offered.
Concordia University-Saint Paul's acceptance rate is 74.9%, comparatively higher than most selective universities — admission is more attainable here.
The average GPA of admitted Concordia University-Saint Paul students is 3.14, reflecting a competitive applicant pool.
There's no strict cutoff, but a GPA at or above 2.84 puts you in the standard applicant pool at Concordia University-Saint Paul. Below that, your essays and recommendations need to work harder to provide context.
A GPA of 2.74 or below makes admission tougher at Concordia University-Saint Paul, but strong test scores, activities, and essays — plus AP/IB coursework — can still keep you in contention.
Concordia University-Saint Paul 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: 2026/03/01 — that's Concordia University-Saint Paul'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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