Concordia University Chicago vs. SAU

Comparable Facts

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

Concordia University Chicago is larger than SAU based on total student enrollment (4,770 students vs. 2,441 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Concordia University Chicago vs. SAU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Concordia University Chicago or SAU? 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 SAU ($19,073 vs. $21,067).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Spring Arbor University are 0.6% lower than at Concordia University Chicago ($11,440 vs. $11,510).
• Concordia University Chicago is 10.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than SAU (about $3,474 more per year; $37,488.00 vs. $34,014.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 10.2% higher at Concordia University Chicago than at Spring Arbor University (about $3,474 more per year; $37,488.00 vs. $34,014.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Spring Arbor University than at Concordia University Chicago (100% vs. 97%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Concordia University Chicago students is 10.4% larger than aid received by Spring Arbor University students ($26,361 vs. $23,877).

Concordia University Chicago vs. SAU Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Spring Arbor University (1130) is 40 points higher than at Concordia University Chicago (1090).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Concordia University Chicago 990/1180; Spring Arbor University 1010/1240.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Concordia University Chicago 19/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Concordia University Chicago - Test-free; SAU - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman SAU students have a 0.43 point higher average high school GPA (3.61) than students at Concordia University Chicago (3.18).
• Concordia University Chicago has a higher acceptance rate (92.8%) than SAU (51.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 7.7% at Concordia University Chicago vs. 16.5% at SAU.

Concordia University Chicago vs. SAU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Concordia University Chicago and SAU? 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 Spring Arbor University's (56%).
• Graduates from Spring Arbor University earn a median of about $300 more per year than Concordia University Chicago graduates about ten years after starting college ($42,600 vs. $42,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Spring Arbor University graduates have a $908 lower median loan debt than Concordia University Chicago graduates ($24,043 vs. $24,951).
• Among borrowers, SAU graduates have an estimated $9 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Concordia University Chicago graduates ($248 vs. $257).
• More SAU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Concordia University Chicago students, three years after graduation. (58% 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.