Concordia University Chicago vs. CSU

Comparable Facts

Compare Concordia University Chicago in River Forest, IL with Charleston Southern University in Charleston, SC on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Concordia University Chicago is larger than CSU based on total student enrollment (4,770 students vs. 3,832 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Concordia University Chicago is located in River Forest, IL (Large Suburban setting); Charleston Southern University is in Charleston, SC (Small City setting).
• Concordia University Chicago is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Charleston Southern University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Concordia University Chicago 13:1; Charleston Southern University 12:1.

Concordia University Chicago vs. CSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Concordia University Chicago or CSU? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Concordia University Chicago than CSU ($19,073 vs. $21,080).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Concordia University Chicago are 5.7% lower than at Charleston Southern University ($11,510 vs. $12,200).
• Concordia University Chicago is 15.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than CSU (about $4,968 more per year; $37,488.00 vs. $32,520.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 15.3% higher at Concordia University Chicago than at Charleston Southern University (about $4,968 more per year; $37,488.00 vs. $32,520.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Charleston Southern University than at Concordia University Chicago (98% vs. 97%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Concordia University Chicago students is 13.4% larger than aid received by Charleston Southern University students ($26,361 vs. $23,240).

Concordia University Chicago vs. CSU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Concordia University Chicago or CSU? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between CSU and Concordia University Chicago.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Concordia University Chicago (1090) is 40 points higher than at CSU (1050).
• Incoming Concordia University Chicago students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (22 vs. 21 at CSU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Concordia University Chicago 990/1180; Charleston Southern University 930/1160.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Concordia University Chicago 19/25; Charleston Southern University 18/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Concordia University Chicago - Test-free; CSU - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman CSU students have a 0.06 point higher average high school GPA (3.24) than students at Concordia University Chicago (3.18).
• CSU has a higher acceptance rate (96.5%) than Concordia University Chicago (92.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 7.7% at Concordia University Chicago vs. 17.7% at CSU.

Concordia University Chicago vs. CSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Concordia University Chicago and CSU? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Concordia University Chicago's six-year graduation rate (60%) is higher than Charleston Southern University's (38%).
• Graduates from Concordia University Chicago earn a median of about $2,500 more per year than CSU graduates about ten years after starting college ($42,300 vs. $39,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Concordia University Chicago graduates have a $2,049 lower median loan debt than CSU graduates ($24,951 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Concordia University Chicago graduates have an estimated $22 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than CSU graduates ($257 vs. $279).
• More Concordia University Chicago graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former CSU students, three years after graduation. (57% vs. 50%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.