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Concordia University-Chicago

#1094 in US ranking River Forest, IL
Type:
Private not-for-profit
Programs:
4 years or more

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Cost

Cost / year
$46,836
Tuition & fees
$38,798
Avg. aid
$22,929
Receiving aid
97%

Admissions

Acceptance rate
93%

Outcomes

Graduation rate
36%
Median salary
$45,846
1 yr after graduation

What does Concordia University-Chicago offer in terms of athletics?

Concordia University Chicago's Cougars compete in NCAA Division III athletics and the Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference. Varsity competition is distinct from casual recreation: joining a team generally involves coach-led training, competition schedules, and applicable NCAA eligibility rules.

Sports associated with the university include football, basketball, soccer, baseball, softball, volleyball, cross-country, track and field, tennis, and lacrosse. Teams and participation opportunities can change, so a prospective athlete should confirm that their particular sport is offered for their intended year and contact its coaching staff about recruiting procedures.

NCAA Division III institutions do not award athletic scholarships on the basis of athletic ability. A student-athlete may still qualify for academic or need-based assistance under the same applicable aid rules as other students. Intramural or recreational participation, where offered, is a separate option for students who want to play without joining a varsity roster.

What student groups and Associations are available at Concordia University-Chicago?

Student involvement at Concordia University Chicago includes student government, campus ministry, activity planning, and interest-based clubs. Reported examples include the Student Government Association, Campus Activities Board, College Life, and an Art Club.

These groups serve different purposes: student government provides a route into representation, an activities board helps organize programming, and interest-based groups offer smaller communities around shared pursuits. Students can also look for academic, service, and arts opportunities that fit their schedules. A club's listing does not establish how often it currently meets, so applicants with a particular interest should check the current student organization roster and event calendar.

Campus ministry is an opportunity connected to the university's religious affiliation; it is not a substitute for reviewing the specific participation expectations of an academic program.

Who studies at Concordia University-Chicago?

Concordia University Chicago enrolled approximately 4,770 students in the cited institutional figures. The student body includes adults well beyond traditional undergraduate age, reflecting a mix of first-time college students and people pursuing later undergraduate or graduate study.

The cited incoming undergraduate counts include 300 first-time students and 117 transfer students. Among students for whom the reported geographic figures apply, most were Illinois residents, while a substantial share came from other U.S. states. These measures describe enrollment, not the composition of every class or program.

Age and enrollment patterns matter in practical ways. A prospective first-year student may want to ask how many courses in their major meet on campus, while a working adult may care more about course timing and online availability. Neither the overall enrollment figure nor a university-wide student-to-faculty ratio of 13 to 1 establishes the size of a particular class.

How does student life look like at Concordia University-Chicago?

Student life at Concordia University Chicago combines a residential campus with a substantial commuter presence. The reported figures put 38% of students in campus housing and 61% in the commuting group, so access to activities may depend as much on timing and travel as on what is offered.

Students can connect through performances, student media, campus events, ministry, and athletics or recreation. The university reports a student-run newspaper and radio and television activities, as well as theater and choral groups. Health and personal counseling services are also reported campus resources; students should check current eligibility, appointment procedures, and any limits on care.

For a prospective student, the useful question is how these opportunities fit a real weekly schedule. Someone living on campus may attend an evening program more easily than a commuter with work or family responsibilities, while online and graduate students may experience the university primarily through their program rather than daily campus activities.

What libraries are available to students at Concordia University-Chicago?

Klinck Memorial Library is Concordia University Chicago's named main library and a resource for course research and study. Reported services include reservable study rooms; students should not assume that study areas are open around the clock.

Library support is useful beyond the building itself. Students preparing a paper or project can seek help identifying appropriate books, scholarly articles, and other academic sources, and should check the library's current rules for remote access, borrowing, and requesting materials held elsewhere. Availability of particular databases, equipment, or spaces can depend on enrollment status and service hours.

Students in online or evening programs have a particular reason to check when research assistance is staffed and which digital resources they can use away from River Forest.

Concordia University-Chicago Student Life for 2027

Total enrollment

4770

Full Time Degree Seeking Freshmen

271

Member of Athletic Associations

NCAA

Total staff

98 full time, 273 part time

Veterans affair office

No

Concordia University-Chicago Student Body

Undergraduate vs. graduate students

Undergraduate: 1,368
Graduate: 3,402

Full-time vs. part-time students

Full-time: 1,384
Part-time: 3,386

Full-time degree-seeking students by gender

Women: 145
Men: 126

Students by race/ethnicity

Hispanic or Latino: 488
Black or African American: 192
White: 474
American Indian or Alaska Native: 4
Asian: 27
Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander: 2
Two or more races: 62
Unknown: 18

Freshly enrolled students' age

Under 25 years
Over 25 years

Concordia University-Chicago Sports & Athletics

  • Member of NCAA

Varsity teams compete against other colleges, intramural teams within the school. Each column says whether men, women or both take part, and whether the sport offers athletic scholarships (Aid).

Sport

Varsity Intramural Aid

Baseball

MenMen–

Basketball

BothBoth–

Cross-country running

BothBoth–

Football

MenMen–

Lacrosse

BothBoth–

Soccer

BothBoth–

Softball

WomenWomen–

Tennis

BothBoth–

Track and field

BothBoth–

Ultimate Frisbee

–Both–

Volleyball

BothBoth–

Data last updated on November 5, 2026

Data sources: IPEDS 2024-25, Peterson 2026, College Scorecard 10/2026, Clery 2024 (2023-24), OpenAlex 2026

Figures on this profile come from federal and third-party datasets in the editions listed above and are refreshed periodically, so they may differ from what the institution currently reports. Confirm costs, deadlines and requirements with the school before making decisions.

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