CUW vs. Parkside

Comparable Facts

Compare Concordia University Wisconsin in Mequon, WI with University of Wisconsin Parkside in Kenosha, WI on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Concordia University Wisconsin is larger than Parkside based on total student enrollment (5,253 students vs. 3,925 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Concordia University Wisconsin is located in Mequon, WI (Rural Fringe setting); University of Wisconsin Parkside is in Kenosha, WI (Midsize Suburban setting).
• Concordia University Wisconsin is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Wisconsin Parkside is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Concordia University Wisconsin 11:1; University of Wisconsin Parkside 20:1.

CUW vs. Parkside Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, CUW or Parkside? 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 University of Wisconsin Parkside than CUW ($10,234 vs. $31,916).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Wisconsin Parkside are 33.7% lower than at Concordia University Wisconsin ($8,750 vs. $13,200).
• Concordia University Wisconsin is 328.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Parkside (about $27,200 more per year; $35,470.00 vs. $8,270.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 103.5% higher at CUW than at University of Wisconsin Parkside (about $18,041 more per year; $35,470.00 vs. $17,429.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Concordia University Wisconsin than at University of Wisconsin Parkside (99% vs. 56%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Concordia University Wisconsin students is 181.4% larger than aid received by University of Wisconsin Parkside students ($21,379 vs. $7,598).

CUW vs. Parkside Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, CUW or Parkside? 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 Parkside and CUW.

• Incoming CUW students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (23 vs. 20 at Parkside).
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Concordia University Wisconsin 20/26; University of Wisconsin Parkside 17/23.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: CUW - Test optional; Parkside - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman CUW students have a 0.21 point higher average high school GPA (3.52) than students at Parkside (3.31).
• CUW has a higher acceptance rate (78.2%) than Parkside (75.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 14.1% at CUW vs. 26.1% at Parkside.

CUW vs. Parkside Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for CUW and Parkside? 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 Wisconsin's six-year graduation rate (58%) is higher than University of Wisconsin Parkside's (28%).
• Graduates from Concordia University Wisconsin earn a median of about $5,100 more per year than Parkside graduates about ten years after starting college ($46,100 vs. $41,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Wisconsin Parkside graduates have a $960 lower median loan debt than CUW graduates ($22,965 vs. $23,925).
• Among borrowers, Parkside graduates have an estimated $10 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than CUW graduates ($237 vs. $247).
• More Parkside graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former CUW students, three years after graduation. (54% vs. 52%)

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.