Concordia University Chicago vs. Cleary College

Deciding between Concordia University Chicago and Cleary University? The table below shows tuition, aid, admissions, and outcomes side by side. Data comes from public sources across more than 3,000 U.S. colleges and universities. No account is required.

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

  • Overview

  • Location
  • Concordia University Chicago River Forest, IL
  • Cleary College Howell, MI
  • Setting
  • Concordia University Chicago Large Suburban
  • Cleary College Midsize City
  • Total enrollment
  • Concordia University Chicago 4,770
  • Cleary College 1,004
  • Type
  • Concordia University Chicago Private 4 Year
  • Cleary College Private 4 Year
  • National Ranking
  • Concordia University Chicago #764
  • Cleary College #802
  • Religious Affiliation
  • Concordia University Chicago Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod
  • Cleary College -
  • Status
  • Concordia University Chicago Non-profit
  • Cleary College Non-profit
  • Team Colors
  • Concordia University Chicago
  • Cleary College
  • Cost

  • Tuition (In State)
  • Concordia University Chicago $37,488
  • Cleary College $26,102
  • Tuition (Out of State)
  • Concordia University Chicago $37,488
  • Cleary College $26,102
  • Room & Board
  • Concordia University Chicago $11,510
  • Cleary College $12,900
  • Average Net Price
  • Concordia University Chicago $19,073
  • Cleary College $23,705
  • Average Grant Aid
  • Concordia University Chicago $26,361
  • Cleary College $16,150
  • % Receiving Grant Aid
  • Concordia University Chicago 97%
  • Cleary College 99%
  • Admissions

  • Applied
  • Concordia University Chicago 4,200
  • Cleary College 382
  • Admitted
  • Concordia University Chicago 3,897
  • Cleary College 258
  • Acceptance Rate
  • Concordia University Chicago 92.8%
  • Cleary College 67.5% Open
  • Enrolled
  • Concordia University Chicago 7.7%
  • Cleary College 28.7% Open
  • Typical SAT score
  • Concordia University Chicago 1090
  • Cleary College 1060
  • Typical ACT score
  • Concordia University Chicago 22
  • Cleary College 18
  • Average High School GPA
  • Concordia University Chicago 3.18
  • Cleary College 3.17
  • Typical High School Grades
  • Concordia University Chicago B+
  • Cleary College B+
  • Admissions Standards
  • Concordia University Chicago Easy
  • Cleary College Extremely Easy
  • Applicant Competition
  • Concordia University Chicago
  • Cleary College Low
  • ACT Range
  • Concordia University Chicago 19/25
  • Cleary College 18/19
  • SAT Range
  • Concordia University Chicago 990/1180
  • Cleary College 950/1170
  • Submit Test Scores
  • Concordia University Chicago Test-free
  • Cleary College Open admission
  • Application Deadline
  • Concordia University Chicago
  • Cleary College Jul 15, 2027
  • Academics

  • Student to Faculty Ratio
  • Concordia University Chicago 13:1
  • Cleary College 18:1
  • Popular Majors
  • Concordia University Chicago
    • Education (34%)
    • Business (16%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (9%)
    • Social Sciences (6%)
    • Psychology (5%)
  • Cleary College
    • Business (79%)
    • Computer and Information Sciences (16%)
    • Health Professions (5%)
  • Outcomes

  • Graduation Rate
  • Concordia University Chicago 60%
  • Cleary College 59%
  • Median Earnings (After 10 years)
  • Concordia University Chicago $42,300
  • Cleary College $54,900
  • Making Student Loan Payments
  • Concordia University Chicago 57%
  • Cleary College 47%
  • Median Student Loan Debt
  • Concordia University Chicago $24,951
  • Cleary College $30,227
  • Median Loan Payment
  • Concordia University Chicago $257
  • Cleary College $312
  • Diversity

  • % Men
  • Concordia University Chicago 37%
  • Cleary College 58%
  • % Women
  • Concordia University Chicago 63%
  • Cleary College 42%
  • Racial Diversity
  • Concordia University Chicago High
  • Cleary College Very Low
  • HBCU
  • Concordia University Chicago No
  • Cleary College No
  • % White
  • Concordia University Chicago 54%
  • Cleary College 79%
  • % Asian
  • Concordia University Chicago 3%
  • Cleary College 1%
  • % Black
  • Concordia University Chicago 13%
  • Cleary College 5%
  • % Hispanic
  • Concordia University Chicago 26%
  • Cleary College 3%
  • % Native American
  • Concordia University Chicago 0%
  • Cleary College 0%
  • % Pacific Islander
  • Concordia University Chicago 0%
  • Cleary College 0%
  • % Two or More Races
  • Concordia University Chicago 2%
  • Cleary College 0%
  • % International
  • Concordia University Chicago 1%
  • Cleary College 2%
  • % Unknown Race
  • Concordia University Chicago 1%
  • Cleary College 9%
  • Students

  • % In-State
  • Concordia University Chicago 71%
  • Cleary College 78%
  • % Out-of-State
  • Concordia University Chicago 28%
  • Cleary College 11%
  • Campus

  • Campus Housing
  • Concordia University Chicago Yes
  • Cleary College No
  • Freshman Dorm Required
  • Concordia University Chicago No
  • Cleary College No
  • Meal Plan
  • Concordia University Chicago Yes
  • Cleary College No
  • Weekend/Evening Classes
  • Concordia University Chicago No
  • Cleary College Yes
  • Daycare Facility
  • Concordia University Chicago Yes
  • Cleary College No
  • Learn More
  • Concordia University Chicago Details
  • Cleary College Details

Comparable Facts

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

Concordia University Chicago is larger than Cleary College based on total student enrollment (4,770 students vs. 1,004 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Concordia University Chicago is located in River Forest, IL (Large Suburban setting); Cleary University is in Howell, MI (Midsize City setting).
  • Concordia University Chicago is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Cleary University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Concordia University Chicago 13:1; Cleary University 18:1.

Concordia University Chicago vs. Cleary College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Concordia University Chicago or Cleary College? 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 Cleary College ($19,073 vs. $23,705).
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Concordia University Chicago are 10.8% lower than at Cleary University ($11,510 vs. $12,900).
  • Concordia University Chicago is 43.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Cleary College (about $11,386 more per year; $37,488.00 vs. $26,102.00).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 43.6% higher at Concordia University Chicago than at Cleary University (about $11,386 more per year; $37,488.00 vs. $26,102.00).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Cleary University than at Concordia University Chicago (99% vs. 97%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Concordia University Chicago students is 63.2% larger than aid received by Cleary University students ($26,361 vs. $16,150).

Concordia University Chicago vs. Cleary College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Concordia University Chicago or Cleary College? 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 Cleary College and Concordia University Chicago.

  • Cleary University reports an open admissions policy.
  • The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Concordia University Chicago (1090) is 30 points higher than at Cleary College (1060).
  • Incoming Concordia University Chicago students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (22 vs. 18 at Cleary College).
  • Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Concordia University Chicago 990/1180; Cleary University 950/1170.
  • Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Concordia University Chicago 19/25; Cleary University 18/19.
  • Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Concordia University Chicago - Test-free; Cleary College - Open admission.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Cleary College Jul 15, 2027.
  • Accepted freshman Concordia University Chicago students have a 0.01 point higher average high school GPA (3.18) than students at Cleary College (3.17).
  • Concordia University Chicago has a higher acceptance rate (92.8%) than Cleary College (67.5%).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 7.7% at Concordia University Chicago vs. 28.7% at Cleary College.

Concordia University Chicago vs. Cleary College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Concordia University Chicago and Cleary College? 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 Cleary University's (59%).
  • Graduates from Cleary University earn a median of about $12,600 more per year than Concordia University Chicago graduates about ten years after starting college ($54,900 vs. $42,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Concordia University Chicago graduates have a $5,276 lower median loan debt than Cleary College graduates ($24,951 vs. $30,227).
  • Among borrowers, Concordia University Chicago graduates have an estimated $55 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Cleary College graduates ($257 vs. $312).
  • More Concordia University Chicago graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Cleary College students, three years after graduation. (57% vs. 47%)

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.