

Concordia University Wisconsin is a private Lutheran university founded in Milwaukee in 1881. It began as a school preparing young men for church service and later expanded into a university offering a much broader range of undergraduate and graduate programs.
The institution moved to its present campus in Mequon in the 1980s. Its history remains visible in its affiliation with The Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod and in programs connected to church work, but students can also study fields such as business, education, nursing, pharmacy, and the sciences. Concordia has operated programs beyond Mequon, so applicants should confirm where their particular degree is taught and whether it is delivered on campus, online, or in another format.
Concordia University Wisconsin organizes its academic offerings across schools covering arts and sciences, business, education, health professions, nursing, and pharmacy. Its programs range from bachelor's degrees to graduate and professional credentials; availability and delivery format vary by program.
Undergraduates can explore subjects including biology, computer science, communication, criminal justice, accounting, and teacher education. Health-focused students may encounter nursing and allied health pathways, while graduate applicants can investigate programs in areas such as education, business, and pharmacy. Church-work and theological study also reflect the university's Lutheran identity.
A school name alone does not establish a student's route into a profession. Applicants considering nursing, teacher preparation, pharmacy, or another regulated field should check the current program catalog for admission stages, clinical or field-placement requirements, and the credentials needed for licensure in the state where they intend to practice.
Concordia University Wisconsin's main campus is in Mequon, a suburban community north of Milwaukee, along Lake Michigan. The setting differs from a downtown campus: students have access to a largely self-contained university environment while remaining within reach of the Milwaukee area.
That location can make a car useful for internships, shopping, or travel beyond campus, although individual transportation needs depend on where a student lives and studies. First-year students are permitted to register or park a car on campus. Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport, formerly called General Mitchell International Airport, is the relevant regional airport for longer-distance travel. Applicants planning to commute should compare their actual route and schedule with course and placement locations rather than assuming every activity takes place in Mequon.
Concordia University Wisconsin identifies itself as a university of The Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod. Its stated educational purpose connects academic and professional study with Christian faith, service, and preparation for work in the church and wider community.
This affiliation is a practical part of the institution's identity, not merely a historical detail. Students can expect religious programming and opportunities for worship alongside secular degree programs. Prospective students need not infer from the mission that every major is a ministry program; they should instead consider how the university's faith-based setting fits their preferences for coursework and campus life. Institutional statements describe goals and values, rather than independently measured outcomes for every student.
Name of the institution
Concordia University-WisconsinLevel of institution
Four or more yearsControl of institution
PrivateSetting type
Suburb: 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
1881Concordia University-Wisconsin 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
Certificate of at least 1 year, but less than 2 years
Associate's degree
Certificate of at least 2 years, but less than 4 years
Bachelor's degree
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.