Non-Profit Private
Accredited · Higher Learning Commission
Mequon, Wisconsin
67.5% Acceptance Rate
Concordia University-Wisconsin — Admission Snapshot 2026
A complete at-a-glance picture of every metric that matters for your 2026 application
67.5%Acceptance Rate
3.52Avg GPA
1250Avg SAT
26Avg ACT
$51,718Annual Cost
$56,075Grad Salary
22.5%Pell Grant
Acceptance Rate
67.5%
Avg GPA
3.52
Avg SAT
1250
Avg ACT
26
Selectivity
Somewhat Selective
Institution Type
Non-Profit Private
Campus
Main Campus
Accredited By
Higher Learning Commission
SAT Middle 50%
1210–1280
ACT Middle 50%
22–29
Need-Based Aid
22.5% receive Pell
Concordia University-Wisconsin, established in 1881 in Mequon, is a Lutheran university known for its pharmacy and health professions programs. Ranked for affordability and value, it offers lakeside facilities, a cadaver lab, and robust online degree options.
CUW emphasizes experiential learning through internships, mission trips, and STEM research, serving traditional and adult learners with a Christ-centered approach.
Concordia University-Wisconsin Acceptance Rate
Concordia University-Wisconsin is moderately selective. 67.5% of applicants are admitted, with room for a well-rounded, if imperfect, transcript.
What CCON 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 — 67.5% acceptance rate
Most Selective (0%)Open Enrollment (100%)
Recommended Academic Profile
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.52 – 4.00
Target Match
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.32 – 3.51
Competitive Reach
Focus on Score Compensation
Below 3.07
Secondary Reach
Requires Contextual Support
Source: IPEDS & College Scorecard (Nov 2025).
Concordia University-Wisconsin Application Deadlines & Admission Dates 2026
Concordia University-Wisconsin 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
CCON 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 (February 1, 2026) 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.
CCON GPA Requirement
The average GPA of admitted students at CCON is 3.52. That makes admissions here highly selective. Most admitted students carry mostly A's with the occasional B.
Between 3.22 and 3.52? A strong standardized test score is worth prioritizing.
Note the scale: this figure reflects an unweighted 4.0 GPA. Add AP or IB coursework and the equivalent weighted GPA usually lands around 3.72–3.92.CCON GPA & Admission Outlook
Assessment: Selective, with solid academic performance as the expectation.
Recommended Strategy: A clear, defined strength in one activity or research area matters more than breadth.
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
3.52 – 4.00
Target/Match
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.32 – 3.51
Competitive Match
Focus on SAT/ACT Compensation
3.12 – 3.31
Secondary Reach
Personal Statement & Impact
Below 3.11
Institutional Reach
Requires Significant Contextual Factors
Evaluation Metrics That Matter Here
- Lakefront campus (200 acres on Lake Michigan) in Mequon, WI; part of the Concordia University System (Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod)
- Six constituent schools including a full School of Pharmacy - notable for a university of this size
- Home to internationally recognized musical ensembles: the Alleluia Ringers (a 73-handchime touring choir) and the Symphonic Wind Ensemble
- Stated minimum admission baseline: ACT 18, GPA 2.5, though most admitted students score meaningfully higher
- 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 CCON
Admission Chance Predictor
Built from Concordia University-Wisconsin'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-Wisconsin (CCON) Test Requirements
Scores aren't just a formality at CCON. Landing within or above the 2026 admitted class's middle 50% keeps you fully competitive, even where submission is optional.
Can I Get Into CCON Without SAT or ACT?
CCON considers scores when submitted, without requiring them. Prepare well and submit your best attempt. Most applicants test 2–3 times.
Concordia University-Wisconsin Average SAT Score: 1250
Admitted students at Concordia University-Wisconsin 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-Wisconsin 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 CCON. 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-Wisconsin (CCON) with a 1300 SAT?
At 1300, your SAT is squarely in CCON'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-Wisconsin (CCON) ACT Requirements
CCON's admitted students average an ACT of 26.
ACT Competitiveness
ACT 26 — Competitive
An average of 26 is a respectable, above-average national benchmark.
ACT Scores Breakdown by Sections
| Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| ACT Math | 24 | 21 | 27 |
| ACT English | 26 | 21 | 31 |
| ACT Composite | 26 | 22 | 29 |
Can I get into Concordia University-Wisconsin with a 29 ACT?
At 29, you're in the top quarter of CCON'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, and 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, CCON weighs your transcript rigor, activities, recommendations, and essays just as heavily. The ACT opens the door, and the rest of your file decides what happens next.
Your 2026 Admissions Roadmap for CCON
Accessible Strategy: Academic Foundation
CCON takes a broad view of applicants. Your energy is best spent proving readiness for coursework and maximizing your financial aid package.
Music-inclined applicants: ask about the Alleluia Ringers and Symphonic Wind Ensemble
These are internationally recognized touring ensembles (a 73-handchime choir and a nationally known instrumental group) - genuine, named differentiators if performing arts interest you.
Pharmacy-interested applicants: note this is one of six constituent schools
Concordia operates a full School of Pharmacy alongside arts & science, business, education, health professions, and nursing - a notable structural feature for a school this size.
Confirm baseline ACT/GPA expectations while understanding most admits exceed them
A minimum ACT of 18 and GPA of 2.5 is the stated floor, but most admitted students score meaningfully higher - use this as a baseline, not a target.
Ask how daily chapel and faith integration shape the academic experience
Faith is woven into coursework and daily campus life here, not confined to a religion department - ask current students how this plays out day-to-day if it's part of your decision.
Expert Insight:
Applicants sometimes treat the published minimum ACT/GPA thresholds as a realistic target. Concordia's own data shows most admitted students score well above these floors - use the stated minimums only as a baseline, and aim higher if you want a genuinely competitive application.
CCON Profile
Full Name
Concordia University-Wisconsin (CCON)
City
Mequon
State
Wisconsin
ZIP Code
53097-2402
Type
Non-Profit Private
Campus
Main Campus
Official Website
Accredited By
Higher Learning Commission (NCACHE)
Is a CCON Degree Worth It?
Whether CCON 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 $64,700, and graduates see a 3.28% unemployment rate.
How much does a degree from CCON Cost?
Listed tuition runs $51,718/year at CCON. Factor in Pell and federal grant aid, and most students land typically much lower.
At CCON, 22.5% receive a Pell Grant and 46.3% carry federal loans. Filing FAFSA early and naming CCON on it improves your shot at both.
How much does a CCON Graduate earn?
Ten years out from enrollment, CCON 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-Wisconsin. 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-Wisconsin. 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-Wisconsin. 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 CCON
Bachelor Degree Programs
Frequently Asked Questions About CCON Admissions
Concordia University-Wisconsin graduates earn a moderate median salary of $56,075/year, with some variation by field.
Tuition at Concordia University-Wisconsin runs high, at roughly $51,718+/year, so financial aid planning matters.
22.5% receive a Pell Grant here, below the ~35% national average. Concordia University-Wisconsin skews toward higher-income students, though merit aid may still be worth checking.
Concordia University-Wisconsin's acceptance rate is 67.5%, comparatively higher than most selective universities. Admission is more attainable here.
The average GPA of admitted Concordia University-Wisconsin students is 3.52, reflecting a competitive applicant pool.
There's no strict cutoff, but a GPA at or above 3.22 puts you in the standard applicant pool at Concordia University-Wisconsin. Below that, your essays and recommendations need to work harder to provide context.
A GPA of 3.12 or below makes admission tougher at Concordia University-Wisconsin, but strong test scores, activities, and essays, plus AP/IB coursework, can still keep you in contention.
Concordia University-Wisconsin weighs the SAT heavily. Scoring above 1250, and within the 1210–1280 range, keeps you competitive.
Concordia University-Wisconsin 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 February 1, 2026. That's Concordia University-Wisconsin'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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