Concordia University-Chicago
Concordia University-Chicago — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Concordia University-Chicago at a Glance
Concordia University is a public English-language research university located in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. Founded in 1974 with the merger of Loyola College and Sir George Williams University, Concordia is one of the three universities in Quebec where English is the primary language of instruction. As of the 2024–2025 academic year, there were 48,657 students enrolled in credit and non-credit courses at Concordia, making the university among the largest in Canada by enrolment. The university has…
Is Concordia University-Chicago Worth It?
At a value score of 30/100, Concordia University-Chicago is a below-average value relative to its cost. Graduates earn $54,089 — 1% above average — while paying $18,436/year. Consider alternatives with better earnings-to-cost ratios.
The investment pays for itself in just 1.4 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
A 41% graduation rate is a serious red flag — fewer than 4 in 10 students finish. Those who don't graduate may still carry student debt without the higher-earning credential to show for it.
With a 93% acceptance rate, admission is essentially open — the question isn't whether you'll get in, but whether the investment will pay off.
Bottom line: consider whether the specific program you're interested in at Concordia University-Chicago has outcomes that justify the cost — the institution-wide numbers suggest caution.
How Concordia University-Chicago compares to peer private nonprofit colleges of similar tier in IL
Ranked #92 of 165 on value score. Peers are matched by size, median earnings, SAT, and admission rate — not just geography.
| Rank | College | Value | Net price / yr | Median earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Saint Mary's University of Minnesota | 83 | $11,704 | $58,170 |
| #2 | Christian Brothers University | 81 | $9,854 | $57,478 |
| #3 | Albizu University-San Juan | 73 | $9,732 | $41,544 |
| #4 | Trinity Washington University | 67 | $9,302 | $53,804 |
| #5 | Valparaiso University | 58 | $18,578 | $63,191 |
| #6 | Goldey-Beacom College | 56 | $15,554 | $59,892 |
| #92 | Concordia University-Chicago | 30 | $18,436 | $54,089 |
Peer group: private nonprofit colleges within ±60% of Concordia University-Chicago's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 5 in IL.
Best Programs at Concordia University-Chicago
The highest-earning program at Concordia University-Chicago is Health and Medical Administrative Services at $45,400/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Social Work at $22,700/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Health and Medical Administrative Services graduate from Concordia University-Chicago earns $45,400, while a Social Work graduate earns $22,700. Choose your program carefully — it's the single biggest lever you control.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $18,436/yr net price × 4 years
Earnings Premium
vs. national average of $53,787/yr
Payback Period
Time to recoup the total cost through higher earnings
10-Year Net Gain
Median earnings over 10 years minus total cost of attendance
Programs & Earnings by Major
Graduate earnings data by field of study (4 years after graduation):
| Major | Earnings (4yr) | Earnings (1yr) | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Health and Medical Administrative Services | $45,400 | $45,400 | $18,168 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas | $41,800 | $41,800 | $25,250 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $36,900 | $36,900 | $26,000 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $36,100 | $36,100 | $21,500 |
| Health and Physical Education/Fitness | $26,200 | $26,200 | $25,000 |
| Psychology, General | $23,900 | $23,900 | $25,000 |
| Social Work | $22,700 | $22,700 | N/A |
Similar Colleges in IL
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- private
- Location
- River Forest, IL
- Student Body
- 1,323 students
- Admission Rate
- 93%
- Graduation Rate
- 41%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $18,436
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $54,089
- Median Student Debt
- $23,000