


Concordia University, St. Paul is a private Lutheran university founded in 1893 in Saint Paul, Minnesota. It began as a school preparing young men for church-related service and later expanded into a broader college and university.
The institution developed from a secondary school into a junior college and then a four-year college. It adopted the Concordia University name in 1997, reflecting its expanded undergraduate and graduate offerings. Its history helps explain two features of the institution today: its continuing Lutheran identity and its mix of traditional campus programs with options for working adults.
Concordia University, St. Paul offers undergraduate and graduate study across the liberal arts, business, education, health, science and professional fields. Prospective students should evaluate a specific program - not just the university as a whole - because delivery format, admission criteria and professional requirements vary.
Representative areas of study include business administration, accounting, computer-related fields, teacher education, psychology, criminal justice, nursing and public health. The university also offers online and other programs designed for adult learners. Applicants considering teaching, nursing or another licensed profession should check the current academic catalog for the precise degree, required clinical or field experiences, and the states in which the program meets licensing requirements. A program offered online is not necessarily available to residents of every state.
Concordia University, St. Paul is in Saint Paul, Minnesota, in the Minneapolis-Saint Paul metropolitan area. Its urban location gives students access to regional employers, schools and health-care organizations, while making commuting a practical part of campus life for many students.
The main campus is in Saint Paul's Midway area. Applicants planning to travel between classes, work and home should check their particular program's meeting location and schedule rather than assume every course meets on the main campus. Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport serves the region. Students using public transportation should assess the route and travel time for the hours their classes or placements require.
Concordia University, St. Paul describes its educational mission in Christian terms, emphasizing learning, service and care for others. It is affiliated with the Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod; that affiliation is part of its institutional identity, although students may come from different religious backgrounds.
The university's stated priorities connect academic study with ethical reflection, faith and service. Daily chapel and other religious activities are visible expressions of that identity. Applicants for whom the religious environment matters should distinguish between the university's mission, opportunities to participate in campus worship and any requirements attached to their particular program.
Name of the institution
Concordia University-Saint PaulLevel of institution
Four or more yearsControl of institution
PrivateSetting type
City: LargeInstitutional Category
Degree - granting, primarily baccalaureate or aboveInstitution size category
5,000 - 9,999Religious affiliation
Protestant (Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod)School type
UniversityMain student body
CoeducationalCalendar system
SemestersFoundation year
1893Concordia University-Saint Paul is institutionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, an accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Accreditation confirms that the school meets quality standards and is required for students to receive federal financial aid.
Certificate of less than 1 year
Associate's degree
Bachelor's degree
Postbaccalaureate certificate
Master's degree
Post-master's certificate
Doctor's degree - research/scholarship
Doctor's degree - professional practiceData 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.