At $16,774/yr net price, Concordia University-Chicago graduates earn $54,089/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $20,089/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $16,774 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $67,096 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $54,089/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$20,089/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 3.3 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 47.4% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $23,000 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $13,573/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $14,000/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $17,318/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $19,478/yr |
| $110,001+ | $23,731/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Educational Administration and Supervision. | Doctoral | $114,892 | $49,142 |
| Educational Administration and Supervision. | Certificate | $99,683 | |
| Educational Administration and Supervision. | Master | $64,493 | $24,000 |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services. | Master | $64,493 | |
| Educational/Instructional Media Design. | Master | $63,855 | $22,899 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Master | $59,576 | $33,625 |
| Special Education and Teaching. | Master | $58,057 | $16,300 |
| Curriculum and Instruction. | Master | $57,937 | $17,214 |
| Student Counseling and Personnel Services. | Master | $57,657 | $47,380 |
| Bilingual, Multilingual, and Multicultural Education. | Master | $57,318 |
The Risk Factor
47.4% of students at Concordia University-Chicago graduate within 6 years. More than half of students finish, but the dropout rate is a real factor in whether this investment pays off.
Analysis
Concordia University-Chicago gives you a middling financial return with real risk attached. You pay roughly $17k a year net, walk out with about $23k in debt, and earn near the median for a Chicago-area bachelor's holder ten years later. That math works if you finish and pick the right major. Both are big ifs here.
The 47% graduation rate is the core problem. Fewer than half of you finish, and only 63% make it past the first year. Debt does not care whether you graduated. Borrow $23k, drop out, and you carry the bill without the degree that pays it back.
Major choice swings your outcome hard. Human Resources Management pays about $56k and leaves you with lower-than-average debt, so it clears cost fast. Health and Medical Administrative Services works too. The teaching programs are where the numbers turn against you: one education track pays under $42k while loading you with $27k in debt, the most on this list for the least return. Marketing sits at the bottom near $38k. Concordia leans heavily toward teacher education, and Illinois teacher pay is not going to erase that debt quickly.
Net price barely drops for lower-income families. Under $30k income still pays about $13,600. the sticker only reaches $23,700 at the top. That flat curve means low-income families here get less discount than you'd expect, so the price stings more relative to what you can afford.
Come here if you're set on HR or health administration and confident you'll graduate. Look elsewhere if you're chasing a teaching degree and need the debt to pay off fast, or if a sub-50% completion rate makes your borrowing feel like a gamble.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Concordia University-Chicago worth the cost?
Concordia University-Chicago offers decent value with a relatively low net price of $16,774 annually and manageable median debt of $23,000. However, the 47% graduation rate is concerning, and typical earnings of $54,089 after 10 years are modest compared to other private universities.
What programs at Concordia University-Chicago have the best ROI?
Educational Administration programs clearly offer the strongest returns, with graduates earning $99,000-$115,000 annually. Health administration also provides solid earnings around $64,000, while other programs typically result in lower financial outcomes.
How much debt do Concordia University-Chicago graduates typically have?
The median debt load is $23,000, which is reasonable for a private university. Given the low net price and available financial aid, most students can graduate without crushing debt burdens.
Does Concordia University-Chicago have good financial aid?
Yes, financial aid significantly reduces costs from the sticker price to an average net price of $16,774 per year. The school makes education accessible, though students should focus on high-ROI programs to maximize their investment.