Cost & ROI · 2026
Is Concordia University-Chicago worth it?
Pay $18,436/yr after aid. Graduates earn a median of $54,089 ten years out — about 2.9× the annual cost. EduGradify value grade: C.
The ROI math, in 30 seconds
Benchmarks
Concordia University-Chicago vs Illinois avg vs national avg
How this school stacks up against the typical Illinois college and the typical US college.
| Metric | Concordia University-Chicago | Illinois avg | National avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg net price | ▲ $18,436 | $18,082 | $18,467 |
| Median earnings 10y | ▲ $54,089 | $54,042 | $50,834 |
| Median debt | ▼ $23,000 | $20,325 | $19,694 |
| Graduation rate | ▼ 36.5% | 53.7% | 49.9% |
| Acceptance rate | ▲ 92.8% | 72.7% | 72.3% |
Hidden cost
What you actually pay, by family income
Net price after grants and scholarships changes a lot depending on family income. Find your bracket.
Total cost
4-year cost projection
Estimated net price each year through graduation, assuming a typical 3% annual tuition increase.
Sticker price (without aid) would run roughly $181,532 over four years. Most students get $26,947/yr in grants and scholarships.
Debt math
Loan repayment scenarios
If you borrow the median $23,000 at a 6.5% federal rate, here's what each repayment plan looks like.
Debt-to-earnings: 43% of one year's median pay. Financial advisors recommend keeping student debt under 100% of expected first-year salary. You're well below that threshold.
Lifetime impact
Lifetime earnings boost vs no degree
Over a typical 40-year career, the median Concordia University-Chicago grad earns about $363,560 more than a high school graduate (assuming HS median ≈ $45k/yr, BLS).
Caveat: this is a population median, not a guarantee. Actual outcomes vary widely by major, career path, and individual choices. We're showing the median to set realistic expectations.
The verdict
What the numbers say about Concordia University-Chicago
The average student at Concordia University-Chicago pays $18,436 a year after grants and scholarships, against a $45,383 published sticker price. That is above the IL average net price of $18,082.
Ten years after entry, graduates earn a median of $54,089 — above the IL median of $54,042. Weighed against what students actually pay, EduGradify models this as an exceptional investment.
Typical graduates borrow about $23,000, roughly $250 a month on a standard ten-year plan — a moderate load at about 43% of one year's median earnings.
Smart alternatives
Cheaper Illinois colleges with comparable outcomes
Same state, at least 20% lower net price, with earnings within reach of Concordia University-Chicago.
Chicago, IL · Public University of Illinois Chicago A 
Champaign, IL · Public University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign A Frequently asked
Cost & ROI questions
What is the net price at Concordia University-Chicago?
The average net price — what students actually pay after grants and scholarships — is $18,436 per year. That's $26,947/yr in financial aid against the $45,383 sticker price. Over four years, that adds up to roughly $73,744.
How much do Concordia University-Chicago graduates earn?
Ten years after enrolling, Concordia University-Chicago graduates earn a median of $54,089 per year — above the national average of $50,834. That's about 2.9× the annual net cost.
How much debt do Concordia University-Chicago graduates take on?
Median federal loan debt at graduation is $23,000 — about $250/month on a standard 10-year repayment plan (assuming a 6.5% federal rate). 56.9% of students take federal loans.
Is Concordia University-Chicago worth the cost?
EduGradify assigns Concordia University-Chicago a value grade of C — top 51% on real ROI nationally. The math: pay $18,436/yr, earn $54,089/yr ten years out, ROI score of 7.33. Exceptional Investment.
What financial aid is available at Concordia University-Chicago?
45.7% of students receive federal Pell Grants (need-based federal aid). 56.9% take federal student loans. On average, students get $26,947 per year in grants and scholarships off the sticker price.
What's the difference between in-state and out-of-state tuition at Concordia University-Chicago?
In-state tuition is $37,488 per year. Out-of-state tuition is $37,488 per year — a difference of $0/yr or $0 over four years.
How does net price change with family income at Concordia University-Chicago?
Net price is income-adjusted — lower-income families typically pay much less. Students from families earning under $30k pay about $16,795. Students from families earning over $110k pay about $23,907. See the chart below for all five income bands.
How we calculate ROI
Every number on this page comes from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. ROI score = (median earnings 10 years out × 10) / (avg net price × 4). The higher the ratio, the more graduates earn per dollar invested. We then percentile-rank every US college on that score to assign letter grades A+ through D. Read the full methodology →