Concordia University Chicago vs. WMU

Comparable Facts

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

Western Michigan University is larger than Concordia University Chicago based on total student enrollment (16,744 students vs. 4,770 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Concordia University Chicago is located in River Forest, IL (Large Suburban setting); Western Michigan University is in Kalamazoo, MI (Small City setting).
• Concordia University Chicago is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Western Michigan University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Concordia University Chicago 13:1; Western Michigan University 16:1.

Concordia University Chicago vs. WMU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Concordia University Chicago or WMU? 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 Western Michigan University than Concordia University Chicago ($17,331 vs. $19,073).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Concordia University Chicago are 5.5% lower than at Western Michigan University ($11,510 vs. $12,174).
• Concordia University Chicago is 145.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than WMU (about $22,236 more per year; $37,488.00 vs. $15,252.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 97% higher at Concordia University Chicago than at Western Michigan University (about $18,454 more per year; $37,488.00 vs. $19,034.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Concordia University Chicago than at Western Michigan University (97% vs. 94%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Concordia University Chicago students is 138.6% larger than aid received by Western Michigan University students ($26,361 vs. $11,048).

Concordia University Chicago vs. WMU Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Western Michigan University (1110) is 20 points higher than at Concordia University Chicago (1090).
• Incoming WMU students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (23 vs. 22 at Concordia University Chicago).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Concordia University Chicago 990/1180; Western Michigan University 990/1220.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Concordia University Chicago 19/25; Western Michigan University 20/27.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Concordia University Chicago - Test-free; WMU - Test-free.
• Accepted freshman WMU students have a 0.32 point higher average high school GPA (3.5) than students at Concordia University Chicago (3.18).
• Concordia University Chicago has a higher acceptance rate (92.8%) than WMU (84.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 7.7% at Concordia University Chicago vs. 13.5% at WMU.

Concordia University Chicago vs. WMU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Concordia University Chicago and WMU? 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 Western Michigan University's (56%).
• Graduates from Western Michigan University earn a median of about $6,600 more per year than Concordia University Chicago graduates about ten years after starting college ($48,900 vs. $42,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Concordia University Chicago graduates have a $1,682 lower median loan debt than WMU graduates ($24,951 vs. $26,633).
• Among borrowers, Concordia University Chicago graduates have an estimated $18 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than WMU graduates ($257 vs. $275).
• More Concordia University Chicago graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former WMU students, three years after graduation. (57% vs. 54%)

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.