Concordia University Chicago vs. Culinary Institute of America

Comparable Facts

Compare Concordia University Chicago in River Forest, IL with Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, NY on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Concordia University Chicago is larger than Culinary Institute of America based on total student enrollment (4,770 students vs. 3,147 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Concordia University Chicago is located in River Forest, IL (Large Suburban setting); Culinary Institute of America is in Hyde Park, NY (Large Suburban setting).
• Concordia University Chicago is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Culinary Institute of America is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Concordia University Chicago 13:1; Culinary Institute of America 18:1.

Concordia University Chicago vs. Culinary Institute of America Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Concordia University Chicago or Culinary Institute of America? 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 Culinary Institute of America ($19,073 vs. $39,581).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Concordia University Chicago are 23.4% lower than at Culinary Institute of America ($11,510 vs. $15,030).
• Culinary Institute of America is 6.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Concordia University Chicago (about $2,362 more per year; $39,850.00 vs. $37,488.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 6.3% higher at Culinary Institute of America than at Concordia University Chicago (about $2,362 more per year; $39,850.00 vs. $37,488.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Culinary Institute of America than at Concordia University Chicago (99% vs. 97%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Concordia University Chicago students is 36.2% larger than aid received by Culinary Institute of America students ($26,361 vs. $19,350).

Concordia University Chicago vs. Culinary Institute of America Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Concordia University Chicago or Culinary Institute of America? 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 Culinary Institute of America and Concordia University Chicago.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Concordia University Chicago (1090) is 30 points higher than at Culinary Institute of America (1060).
• Incoming Concordia University Chicago students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (22 vs. 20 at Culinary Institute of America).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Concordia University Chicago 990/1180; Culinary Institute of America 928/1183.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Concordia University Chicago 19/25; Culinary Institute of America 17/23.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Concordia University Chicago - Test-free; Culinary Institute of America - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Culinary Institute of America students have a 0.08 point higher average high school GPA (3.26) than students at Concordia University Chicago (3.18).
• Concordia University Chicago has a higher acceptance rate (92.8%) than Culinary Institute of America (91.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 7.7% at Concordia University Chicago vs. 31% at Culinary Institute of America.

Concordia University Chicago vs. Culinary Institute of America Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Concordia University Chicago and Culinary Institute of America? 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).

• Graduates from Culinary Institute of America earn a median of about $4,300 more per year than Concordia University Chicago graduates about ten years after starting college ($46,600 vs. $42,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Culinary Institute of America graduates have a $9,951 lower median loan debt than Concordia University Chicago graduates ($15,000 vs. $24,951).
• Among borrowers, Culinary Institute of America graduates have an estimated $102 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Concordia University Chicago graduates ($155 vs. $257).
• More Culinary Institute of America graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Concordia University Chicago students, three years after graduation. (74% vs. 57%)

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.