Concordia University-Chicago — ROI, Cost & Payback
Concordia University-Chicago charges a net price of $18,436/yr after aid — a 4-year total of $73,744. Graduates earn a median $54,089 ten years after entry, $5,729/yr above the $48,360 high-school baseline, clearing the total in 12.9 years — a 20-year net return of $40,836, a slow but positive payback. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
Concordia University-Chicago's 12.9-year payback ranks #897 of 1,280 US colleges we track — better ROI than 30% of them, and #34 of 116 in Illinois.
| Measure | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Net price (after aid) | $18,436/yr | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Total net cost (4 yrs) | $73,744 | our math |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs after entry | $54,089 | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Earnings premium over HS baseline | $5,729/yr | our math |
| Median debt (completers) | $23,000 | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Payback | 12.9 yrs | our math |
| 20-year net return | $40,836 | our math |
College Scorecard (2026 release), institution-level · payback and returns are our math.
The arithmetic, on Concordia University-Chicago's own numbers. Net price $18,436 × 4 years = $73,744 total. Median earnings $54,089 − the $48,360 high-school baseline = $5,729 a year of premium. $73,744 ÷ $5,729 = 12.9 years to break even; twenty years of that premium minus the cost leaves $40,836. Future dollars are not discounted, and the earnings figure blends every major here — your programme can beat or miss it. Full method.
How much debt do Concordia University-Chicago students graduate with?
A median $23,000 in federal loans among completers, or 43% of the $54,089 its graduates earn ten years out — our math. The figure excludes private loans and students who left before finishing.
What share of Concordia University-Chicago students graduate?
36% finish their degree — 64% leave carrying the cost without the credential. Spread the $73,744 bill across that completion rate and the cohort pays $204,844 per graduate produced — our math, and the figure a payback number never shows.
Is Concordia University-Chicago expensive compared with other Illinois colleges?
Its $18,436 net price runs $4,686 above the $13,750 median across the 116 Illinois colleges we profile, or $18,744 more across the full degree.