Concordia University Chicago vs. ISU

Should I go to Concordia University Chicago or Illinois State University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Concordia University Chicago or ISU 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. Illinois State University comparison
Concordia University Chicago Illinois State University College 3 College 4
Illinois State University
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Overview

Concordia University Chicago ISU
Location River Forest, IL Normal, IL
Setting Large Suburban Small City
Enrollment 5,354 20,683
Type Private 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #706 #493
Religious Affiliation Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website cuchicago.edu illinoisstate.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Concordia University Chicago ISU
Tuition (In State) $33,944 $11,840
Tuition (Out of State) $33,944 $23,681
Room & Board $10,762 $10,602
Avg Net Price $18,832 $20,551
Avg Grant Aid $25,141 $11,619
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 97%

Admission

Concordia University Chicago ISU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 4,296 19,596
Admitted 3,997 16,899
Acceptance Rate 93% 86.2%
Enrolled % 6.7% 23.6%
Avg High School GPA 3.18 3.41
Typical High School Grades B B+
Admissions Standards Easy Moderate
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 19/25 21/27
SAT Range 990/1180 1000/1210
Submit Test Scores Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Apr 1, 2025

Academics

Concordia University Chicago ISU
Student to Faculty Ratio 12:1 19:1
Popular Majors
  • Education (34%)
  • Business (16%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (9%)
  • Social Sciences (6%)
  • Psychology (5%)
  • Business (20%)
  • Education (18%)
  • Social Sciences (6%)
  • Health Professions (6%)
  • Communication (5%)

Outcomes

Concordia University Chicago ISU
Graduation Rate 60% 71%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $42,300 $49,000
Making Student Loan Payments 57% 74%
Median Student Loan Debt $24,951 $22,000
Median Loan Payment $257 $227

Diversity

Concordia University Chicago ISU
% Men 35% 42%
% Women 65% 58%
Racial Diversity High Low
HBCU No No
% White 54% 77%
% Black 13% 8%
% Hispanic 26% 9%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 2% 3%
% International 1% 0%
% Unknown Race 1% 0%

Students

Concordia University Chicago ISU
% In-State 62% 96%
% Out-of-State 38% 3%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Illinois State University is larger than than Concordia University Chicago based on total student enrollment (20,683 students vs. 5,354 students)

Concordia University Chicago vs. ISU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Concordia University Chicago or ISU?

  • Concordia University Chicago is 186.7% more expensive to attend than ISU for in-state tuition ($33,944.00 vs. $11,840.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 43.3% higher at Concordia University Chicago than Illinois State University ($33,944.00 vs. $23,681.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Concordia University Chicago than ISU ($18,832 vs. $20,551)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Illinois State University are 1.5% lower than costs at Concordia University Chicago ($10,602 vs. $10,762)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Concordia University Chicago than Illinois State University (100% vs. 97%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Concordia University Chicago students is 116.4% larger than aid received Illinois State University ($25,141 vs. $11,619)

Concordia University Chicago vs. ISU Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Illinois State University (1090) is 43 points higher than at Concordia University Chicago (1047)
  • Incoming ISU students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (24) than students at Concordia University Chicago (23)
  • Accepted freshman ISU students have a 0.23 point higher average high school GPA (3.41) than students at Concordia University Chicago (3.18)
  • Concordia University Chicago has a higher acceptance rate (93%) than ISU (86.2%)

Concordia University Chicago vs. ISU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Concordia University Chicago or ISU? 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 ISU and Concordia University Chicago.

  • The graduation rate at ISU is higher than Concordia University Chicago (71% vs. 60%)
  • Graduates from Illinois State University earn on average $6,700 more per year than Concordia University Chicago graduates after ten years. ($49,000 vs. $42,300)
  • Illinois State University students graduate with a $2,951 lower median federal student loan debt than Concordia University Chicago graduates. ($22,000 vs. $24,951)
  • ISU graduates are paying $30 less per month on federal student loans than Concordia University Chicago graduates. ($227 vs. $257)
  • More ISU 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/