Concordia University Chicago vs. CMU - CLAS

Should I go to Concordia University Chicago or Central Methodist University College of Liberal Arts & Sciences? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Concordia University Chicago or CMU - CLAS is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.
Add a college to compare up to four schools

Frequently compared to these colleges. Click a college to add to the comparison. 

Dominican UIC Lewis University Saint Xavier University Northern Illinois Cleveland State Elmhurst College North Park University Baker Northeastern Illinois University Roosevelt University OKWU
Concordia University Chicago vs. Central Methodist University College of Liberal Arts & Sciences comparison
Concordia University Chicago Central Methodist University College of Liberal Arts & Sciences College 3 College 4
Remove Remove +Add +Add

Overview

 Concordia University Chicago CMU - CLAS
Location River Forest, IL Fayette, MO
Setting Large Suburban Distant Town
Enrollment 5,066 1,017
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #749 #632
Religious Affiliation Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod United Methodist - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website cuchicago.edu centralmethodist.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

 Concordia University Chicago CMU - CLAS
Tuition (In State) $35,200 $26,360
Tuition (Out of State) $35,200 $26,360
Room & Board $11,140 $8,910
Avg Net Price $17,767 $25,050
Avg Grant Aid $26,680 $19,255
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 100%

Admission

 Concordia University Chicago CMU - CLAS
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 4,607 1,149
Admitted 4,301 1,010
Acceptance Rate 93.4% 87.9%
Enrolled % 7.6% 23.5%
Avg High School GPA 3.18 3.5
Typical High School Grades B B+
Admissions Standards Easy Very Easy
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 19/25 19/24
SAT Range 990/1180 1041/1138
Submit Test Scores Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Aug 15, 2026

Academics

 Concordia University Chicago CMU - CLAS
Student to Faculty Ratio 13:1 11:1
Popular Majors
  • Education (34%)
  • Business (16%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (9%)
  • Social Sciences (6%)
  • Psychology (5%)
  • Health Professions (22%)
  • Business (16%)
  • Education (13%)
  • Biology (9%)
  • General Studies (8%)

Outcomes

 Concordia University Chicago CMU - CLAS
Graduation Rate 60% 43%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $42,300 $38,600
Making Student Loan Payments 57% 63%
Median Student Loan Debt $24,951 $16,875
Median Loan Payment $257 $174

Diversity

 Concordia University Chicago CMU - CLAS
% Men 23% 0%
% Women 50% 0%
Racial Diversity High Low
HBCU No No
% White 54% 78%
% Black 13% 8%
% Hispanic 26% 3%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 2% 3%
% International 1% 4%
% Unknown Race 1% 4%

Students

 Concordia University Chicago CMU - CLAS
% In-State 67% 59%
% Out-of-State 32% 27%

Campus

 Concordia University Chicago CMU - CLAS
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes No No
Daycare Facility Yes No
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Concordia University Chicago is larger than than CMU - CLAS based on total student enrollment (5,066 students vs. 1,017 students)

Concordia University Chicago vs. CMU - CLAS Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Concordia University Chicago or CMU - CLAS?

  • Concordia University Chicago is 33.5% more expensive to attend than CMU - CLAS for in-state tuition ($35,200.00 vs. $26,360.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 33.5% higher at Concordia University Chicago than Central Methodist University College of Liberal Arts & Sciences ($35,200.00 vs. $26,360.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Concordia University Chicago than CMU - CLAS ($17,767 vs. $25,050)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Central Methodist University College of Liberal Arts & Sciences are 25% lower than costs at Concordia University Chicago ($8,910 vs. $11,140)
  • The same percent of students receive financial grant aid at Concordia University Chicago as Central Methodist University College of Liberal Arts & Sciences (100% vs. 100%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Concordia University Chicago students is 38.6% larger than aid received Central Methodist University College of Liberal Arts & Sciences ($26,680 vs. $19,255)

Concordia University Chicago vs. CMU - CLAS Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Concordia University Chicago or CMU - CLAS? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between CMU - CLAS or Concordia University Chicago .

  • The average SAT score at Concordia University Chicago (1047) is 4 points higher than at CMU - CLAS (1043)
  • Incoming Concordia University Chicago students have at the same average ACT score (23) as students at CMU - CLAS (23)
  • Accepted freshman CMU - CLAS students have a 0.32 point higher average high school GPA (3.5) than students at Concordia University Chicago (3.18)
  • Concordia University Chicago has a higher acceptance rate (93.4%) than CMU - CLAS (87.9%)

Concordia University Chicago vs. CMU - CLAS Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Concordia University Chicago or CMU - CLAS? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between CMU - CLAS and Concordia University Chicago.

  • The graduation rate at Concordia University Chicago is higher than Central Methodist University College of Liberal Arts & Sciences (60% vs. 43%)
  • Graduates from Concordia University Chicago earn on average $3,700 more per year than CMU - CLAS graduates after ten years. ($42,300 vs. $38,600)
  • Central Methodist University College of Liberal Arts & Sciences students graduate with a $8,076 lower median federal student loan debt than Concordia University Chicago graduates. ($16,875 vs. $24,951)
  • CMU - CLAS graduates are paying $83 less per month on federal student loans than Concordia University Chicago graduates. ($174 vs. $257)
  • More CMU - CLAS graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Concordia University Chicago students, three years after graduation. (63% vs. 57%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/