Concordia University Chicago vs. Cleary College

Should I go to Concordia University Chicago or Cleary University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Concordia University Chicago or Cleary College 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.

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Concordia University Chicago vs. Cleary University comparison
Concordia University Chicago Cleary University College 3 College 4
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Overview

Concordia University Chicago Cleary College
Location River Forest, IL Howell, MI
Setting Large Suburban Midsize City
Enrollment 5,354 891
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #706
Religious Affiliation Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website cuchicago.edu cleary.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Concordia University Chicago Cleary College
Tuition (In State) $33,944 $22,279
Tuition (Out of State) $33,944 $22,279
Room & Board $10,762 $14,200
Avg Net Price $18,832 $27,209
Avg Grant Aid $25,141 $8,447
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 86%

Admission

Concordia University Chicago Cleary College
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 4,296 810
Admitted 3,997 547
Acceptance Rate 93% 67.5%Open
Enrolled % 6.7% 18.8%Open
Avg High School GPA 3.18 3.17
Typical High School Grades B B
Admissions Standards Easy Extremely Easy
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 19/25 18/19
SAT Range 990/1180 950/1170
Submit Test Scores Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Jul 15, 2025

Academics

Concordia University Chicago Cleary College
Student to Faculty Ratio 12:1 13:1
Popular Majors
  • Education (34%)
  • Business (16%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (9%)
  • Social Sciences (6%)
  • Psychology (5%)
  • Business (79%)
  • Computer and Information Sciences (16%)
  • Health Professions (5%)

Outcomes

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

Diversity

Concordia University Chicago Cleary College
% Men 35% 59%
% Women 65% 41%
Racial Diversity High Low
HBCU No No
% White 54% 79%
% Black 13% 5%
% Hispanic 26% 3%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 2% 0%
% International 1% 2%
% Unknown Race 1% 9%

Students

Concordia University Chicago Cleary College
% In-State 62% 82%
% Out-of-State 38% 12%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Concordia University Chicago is larger than than Cleary College based on total student enrollment (5,354 students vs. 891 students)

Concordia University Chicago vs. Cleary College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Concordia University Chicago or Cleary College?

  • Concordia University Chicago is 52.4% more expensive to attend than Cleary College for in-state tuition ($33,944.00 vs. $22,279.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 52.4% higher at Concordia University Chicago than Cleary University ($33,944.00 vs. $22,279.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Concordia University Chicago than Cleary College ($18,832 vs. $27,209)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Concordia University Chicago are 31.9% lower than costs at Cleary University ($10,762 vs. $14,200)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Concordia University Chicago than Cleary University (100% vs. 86%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Concordia University Chicago students is 197.6% larger than aid received Cleary University ($25,141 vs. $8,447)

Concordia University Chicago vs. Cleary College Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Concordia University Chicago (1047) is 97 points higher than at Cleary College (950)
  • Incoming Concordia University Chicago students have a 3 point higher average ACT score (23) than students at Cleary College (20)
  • 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 (93%) than Cleary College (67.5%)

Concordia University Chicago vs. Cleary College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Concordia University Chicago or Cleary College? 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 Cleary College and Concordia University Chicago.

  • The graduation rate at Concordia University Chicago is higher than Cleary University (60% vs. 59%)
  • Graduates from Cleary University earn on average $12,600 more per year than Concordia University Chicago graduates after ten years. ($54,900 vs. $42,300)
  • Concordia University Chicago students graduate with a $5,276 lower median federal student loan debt than Cleary College graduates. ($24,951 vs. $30,227)
  • Concordia University Chicago graduates are paying $55 less per month on federal student loans 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/