Concordia University (CUC), Chicago : Overview, Courses, Scholarships & Rankings
About Concordia University
A leafy suburb just a quick train ride from downtown sets the scene: Concordia University Chicago in River Forest, with brick walkways, big trees, and a chapel that centers campus life. Academically, it's known for a liberal-arts backbone and hands-on learning across business, education, health, arts, and sciences. Students get close faculty attention, plus labs and studios, a library, a rec center, and a student success hub for tutoring, advising, and counseling.
Student life feels lively yet grounded. Music and theater, service projects, cultural orgs, and intramurals keep weeks full. And home games draw a friendly crowd. The culture has a faith-informed, service-minded bent with a warm Midwestern vibe. Career prep stays practical with coaching, employer meetups, and Chicago internships. River Forest offers quiet streets and nearby trails, while Oak Park cafés and museums are close. It's the calm of a small campus with the city in reach.
Key Institutional Details
Contact & Profile
Academic & Institutional
Academic Programs & Fields of Study
Concordia University (CUC), Chicago offers 68 degree programs across 17 major academic fields, graduating approximately 1,458 students annually. The most popular fields by graduate volume are Education (25 programs, 764 graduates), Kinesiology (2 programs, 366 graduates), Business (10 programs, 188 graduates), Health (7 programs, 37 graduates) and Psychology (2 programs, 34 graduates). Explore program details, award levels, and graduate demographics below.
Education (25 programs, 764 graduates)
Educational Sciences, Teaching Methods and Pedagogy
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Educational Leadership and Administration | 254 |
|
Postbac Cert.
Master's
Post-Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
13.0401 |
| Curriculum and Instruction | 146 |
|
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
13.0301 |
| Educational Administration and Supervision | 44 |
|
Master's
Post-Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
13.0499 |
| Reading Teacher Education | 44 |
|
Postbac Cert.
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
13.1315 |
| Instructional Technology | 37 |
|
Master's
|
13.0501 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development | 31 |
|
Master's
|
13.1299 |
| Special Education Teaching | 28 |
|
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
13.1001 |
| School Counseling and Guidance | 28 |
|
Master's
Post-Master's
|
13.1101 |
| Early Childhood Education | 23 |
|
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
13.1210 |
| Elementary Education | 19 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
|
13.1202 |
| Physical Education Teaching and Coaching | 17 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
|
13.1314 |
| Special Education Administration | 16 |
|
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
13.0402 |
| Higher Education Administration | 12 |
|
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
13.0406 |
| General Education | 11 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
|
13.0101 |
| Middle School Education and Teaching | 10 |
|
Bachelor's
|
13.1203 |
| English as a Second Language (ESL) Teaching | 9 |
|
Postbac Cert.
|
13.1401 |
| Gifted and Talented Education | 8 |
|
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
13.1004 |
| English Language Arts Teacher Education | 6 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
|
13.1305 |
| Mathematics Teacher Education | 5 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
|
13.1311 |
| Music Teacher Education | 5 |
|
Bachelor's
|
13.1312 |
| Early Childhood Special Education Teaching | 4 |
|
Master's
|
13.1015 |
| Social Science Teacher Education | 3 |
|
Master's
|
13.1317 |
| Spanish Language Teacher Education | 2 |
|
Bachelor's
|
13.1330 |
| Art Education | 1 |
|
Bachelor's
|
13.1302 |
| Biology Teacher Education | 1 |
|
Bachelor's
|
13.1322 |
Kinesiology (2 programs, 366 graduates)
Exercise Science, Sports Medicine and Physical Recreation
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Exercise Science and Kinesiology | 303 |
|
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
31.0505 |
| Sport and Fitness Management | 63 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
31.0504 |
Business (10 programs, 188 graduates)
Business Administration, Marketing and Entrepreneurship
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Business Administration and Management | 77 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
Post-Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
52.0201 |
| Organizational Leadership | 57 |
|
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
52.0213 |
| Entrepreneurship Studies | 18 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
|
52.0701 |
| Marketing Management | 12 |
|
Bachelor's
|
52.1401 |
| Human Resources Management | 8 |
|
Bachelor's
Other Award
|
52.1001 |
| Organizational Behavior | 8 |
|
Bachelor's
|
52.1003 |
| Research and Development Management | 4 |
|
Master's
|
52.0210 |
| Operations Management and Supervision | 2 |
|
Master's
|
52.0205 |
| Accounting | 1 |
|
Bachelor's
|
52.0301 |
| Knowledge Management | 1 |
|
Bachelor's
|
52.1207 |
Health (7 programs, 37 graduates)
Healthcare Professions, Medical Sciences and Clinical Practice
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Health Administration and Management | 26 |
|
Bachelor's
|
51.0701 |
| Hospital and Health Care Administration | 4 |
|
Master's
|
51.0702 |
| Pre-Physical Therapy | 3 |
|
Bachelor's
|
51.1109 |
| Athletic Training | 1 |
|
Bachelor's
|
51.0913 |
| Pre-Dentistry Studies | 1 |
|
Bachelor's
|
51.1101 |
| Pre-Medicine | 1 |
|
Bachelor's
|
51.1102 |
| Pre-Pharmacy Studies | 1 |
|
Bachelor's
|
51.1103 |
Psychology (2 programs, 34 graduates)
Psychological Sciences, Mental Health and Behavioral Studies
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| General Psychology | 17 |
|
Bachelor's
|
42.0101 |
| Counseling Psychology | 17 |
|
Master's
|
42.2803 |
Communication (2 programs, 12 graduates)
Media Communications, Journalism and Public Relations
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Speech Communication and Rhetoric | 8 |
|
Bachelor's
|
09.0101 |
| Communication and Media Studies | 4 |
|
Bachelor's
|
09.0199 |
Theology (5 programs, 10 graduates)
Theological Studies, Ministry Preparation and Religious Leadership
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Theological Studies | 4 |
|
Bachelor's
|
39.0601 |
| Religious Education | 2 |
|
Bachelor's
|
39.0401 |
| Divinity and Ministry | 2 |
|
Bachelor's
|
39.0602 |
| Sacred Music | 1 |
|
Master's
|
39.0501 |
| Theological and Ministerial Studies | 1 |
|
Postbac Cert.
|
39.0699 |
Interdisciplinary (2 programs, 9 graduates)
Cross-Disciplinary Studies and Integrated Research Programs
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gerontology | 6 |
|
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
30.1101 |
| Biological and Physical Sciences | 3 |
|
Bachelor's
|
30.0101 |
Biological Sciences (2 programs, 7 graduates)
Life Sciences, Biotechnology and Biomedical Research
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Biology and Biological Sciences | 6 |
|
Bachelor's
|
26.0101 |
| Exercise Physiology and Kinesiology | 1 |
|
Bachelor's
|
26.0908 |
Public Services (1 programs, 6 graduates)
Public Administration, Social Work and Community Services
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Social Work | 6 |
|
Bachelor's
|
44.0701 |
Admission Requirements & Test Scores
Comprehensive overview of admission criteria, standardized test score ranges, and application requirements for prospective students at Concordia University (CUC), Chicago.
Application Requirements
Data based on IPEDS for 2022-2023 academic year. Test score ranges represent the middle 50% of admitted students (25th-75th percentile). Requirements may vary by program.
Tuition, Fees & Estimated Costs
Overview of tuition rates, housing, and other annual education expenses for undergraduate and graduate students
Financial Aid & Student Support
Summary of scholarships, grants, student loans, and financial aid statistics for undergraduate students
Student Success Metrics
Graduation rates and post-graduation earnings to help assess student outcomes and long-term value of education.
Loan Burden & Repayment Outcomes
Breakdown of loan repayment rates and student debt levels by income and dependency status.
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about Concordia University (CUC), Chicago
How much does it cost to attend Concordia University (CUC), Chicago?
The annual tuition at Concordia University (CUC), Chicago is $36,258 for in-state students. When including room and board, books, and other expenses, the total estimated cost is approximately $49,998 for in-state students. Additional costs include room and board $11,140 (on) / $7,650 (off) and books and supplies $1,200.
Data based on IPEDS program completions for 2022-2023 academic year. Tuition and cost estimates are approximate and may not include all fees, personal expenses, or transportation costs.
What academic programs and degree levels does Concordia University, Chicago offer?
Concordia University (CUC), Chicago offers 68 academic programs across 17 major fields of study, with available degree levels: Associate's, Bachelor's, Postbac Cert., Master's, Post-Master's, Doctorate (Research), Other Award.
Most popular program areas include:
- Educational Sciences, Teaching Methods and Pedagogy (25 programs)
- Exercise Science, Sports Medicine and Physical Recreation (2 programs)
- Business Administration, Marketing and Entrepreneurship (10 programs)
- Healthcare Professions, Medical Sciences and Clinical Practice (7 programs)
- Psychological Sciences, Mental Health and Behavioral Studies (2 programs)
Data based on IPEDS program completions for 2023-2024 academic year. Numbers reflect programs where students graduated, not all offered programs.
What is the acceptance rate for Concordia University, Chicago?
Concordia University (CUC), Chicago has an 93.4% acceptance rate and a 7.6% yield rate, making it moderately selective.
Admission statistics breakdown:
- Total applicants: 4,607
- Students admitted: 4,301
- Students enrolled: 327
Data based on IPEDS for 2022-2023 academic year. Admission statistics may vary by program and application cycle.
What financial aid and scholarships are available at Concordia University, Chicago?
Concordia University (CUC), Chicago provides financial aid to 20% of first-time, full-time students, with average grants of $26,680 and average loans of $6,767.
Average financial aid amounts by type:
- Pell grants: $5,407
- State/Local grants: $6,743
- Institutional grants: $20,532
- Federal loans: $5,073
The university supports 267 students with grants and 180 students with loans annually.
Data based on IPEDS for 2022-2023 academic year. Financial aid amounts and percentages may vary by program, enrollment status, and individual circumstances.
What is the average salary for Concordia University, Chicago graduates?
Concordia University (CUC), Chicago graduates earn a median salary of $44,405 after 6 years and $54,089 after 10 years.
The salary range 10 years after graduation spans from $36,112 (25th percentile) to $75,178 (75th percentile), with top earners reaching $76,900 (90th percentile).
Data based on IPEDS for 2022-2023 academic year. Salary data reflects graduates who received federal financial aid (approximately 60% of all graduates). Actual earnings may vary significantly based on program, location, and individual circumstances.
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