Concordia University Chicago vs. Wartburg College

Comparable Facts

Compare Concordia University Chicago in River Forest, IL with Wartburg College in Waverly, IA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Concordia University Chicago is larger than Wartburg College based on total student enrollment (4,770 students vs. 1,483 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Concordia University Chicago is located in River Forest, IL (Large Suburban setting); Wartburg College is in Waverly, IA (Distant Town setting).
• Concordia University Chicago is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Wartburg College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Concordia University Chicago 13:1; Wartburg College 13:1.

Concordia University Chicago vs. Wartburg College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Concordia University Chicago or Wartburg 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 Wartburg College ($19,073 vs. $24,031).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Concordia University Chicago are 2% lower than at Wartburg College ($11,510 vs. $11,750).
• Concordia University Chicago is 42.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than Wartburg College (about $11,238 more per year; $37,488.00 vs. $26,250.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 42.8% higher at Concordia University Chicago than at Wartburg College (about $11,238 more per year; $37,488.00 vs. $26,250.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Concordia University Chicago as at Wartburg College (97% vs. 97%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Wartburg College students is 53% larger than aid received by Concordia University Chicago students ($40,336 vs. $26,361).

Concordia University Chicago vs. Wartburg College Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Concordia University Chicago (1090) is 20 points higher than at Wartburg College (1070).
• Incoming Wartburg College students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (24 vs. 22 at Concordia University Chicago).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Concordia University Chicago 990/1180; Wartburg College 930/1200.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Concordia University Chicago 19/25; Wartburg College 21/27.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Concordia University Chicago - Test-free; Wartburg College - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Wartburg College students have a 0.3 point higher average high school GPA (3.48) than students at Concordia University Chicago (3.18).
• Concordia University Chicago has a higher acceptance rate (92.8%) than Wartburg College (75.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 7.7% at Concordia University Chicago vs. 16.6% at Wartburg College.

Concordia University Chicago vs. Wartburg College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Concordia University Chicago and Wartburg 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).

• Wartburg College's six-year graduation rate (63%) is higher than Concordia University Chicago's (60%).
• Graduates from Wartburg College earn a median of about $5,800 more per year than Concordia University Chicago graduates about ten years after starting college ($48,100 vs. $42,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Concordia University Chicago graduates have a $2,049 lower median loan debt than Wartburg College graduates ($24,951 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Concordia University Chicago graduates have an estimated $22 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Wartburg College graduates ($257 vs. $279).
• More Wartburg College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Concordia University Chicago students, three years after graduation. (81% 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.