Concordia University-Irvine
Concordia University-Irvine — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Concordia University-Irvine 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…
1974
52 years old
$427M
C$ 426.833 million (2024-2025)
48,657
35,577 undergrad · 8,345 grad
7,000
40 acres
Identity
Is Concordia University-Irvine Worth It?
At a value score of 35/100, Concordia University-Irvine is a below-average value relative to its cost. Graduates earn $65,083 — 21% above average — while paying $28,115/year. Consider alternatives with better earnings-to-cost ratios.
The investment pays for itself in just 1.7 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
The 60% graduation rate means roughly 40% of students leave without a degree — taking on debt without the earnings boost that completion brings.
Bottom line: consider whether the specific program you're interested in at Concordia University-Irvine has outcomes that justify the cost — the institution-wide numbers suggest caution.
How Concordia University-Irvine compares to peer private nonprofit colleges of similar tier in CA
Ranked #75 of 139 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 | University of St Francis | 81 | $13,006 | $63,926 |
| #2 | University of Detroit Mercy | 79 | $15,232 | $71,030 |
| #3 | Kalamazoo College | 68 | $19,072 | $65,590 |
| #4 | DePauw University | 61 | $22,264 | $70,527 |
| #5 | Canisius University | 58 | $17,940 | $60,681 |
| #6 | University of Mary | 58 | $17,770 | $60,909 |
| #75 | Concordia University-Irvine | 35 | $28,115 | $65,083 |
Peer group: private nonprofit colleges within ±60% of Concordia University-Irvine's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 6 in CA.
Best Programs at Concordia University-Irvine
The highest-earning program at Concordia University-Irvine is Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at $84,700/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Psychology, General at $23,600/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing graduate from Concordia University-Irvine earns $84,700, while a Psychology, General graduate earns $23,600. That's more than a 2× difference from the same institution. Choose your program carefully — it's the single biggest lever you control.
Debt also varies by program: Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing graduates carry $20,312 in median debt vs. $25,000 for Psychology, General.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $28,115/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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $84,700 | $84,700 | $20,312 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $40,000 | $40,000 | $22,000 |
| Communication and Media Studies | $29,600 | $29,600 | $21,500 |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | $24,700 | $24,700 | $25,000 |
| Psychology, General | $23,600 | $23,600 | $25,000 |
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Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- private
- Location
- Irvine, CA
- Student Body
- 1,536 students
- Admission Rate
- 66%
- Graduation Rate
- 60%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $28,115
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $65,083
- Median Student Debt
- $24,247