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Concordia University-Wisconsin — ROI, Cost & Payback

Private nonprofit · Mequon, WI · 2,197 students

The verdict

Concordia University-Wisconsin charges a net price of $36,201/yr after aid — a 4-year total of $144,804. Graduates earn a median $56,075 ten years after entry, $7,715/yr above the $48,360 high-school baseline, clearing the total in 18.8 years — a 20-year net return of $9,496, a slow but positive payback. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Concordia University-Wisconsin's 18.8-year payback ranks #1,041 of 1,280 US colleges we track — better ROI than 19% of them, and #27 of 53 in Wisconsin.

Better ROI than 19% of US colleges#1,041 of 1,280
Weakest ROIStrongest ROI
$36,201
Net price / yr
Scorecard, 2026
$56,075
Median earnings, 10 yrs
Scorecard, 2026
18.8 yrs
Payback
Our math, 2026
78%
Admission rate
Scorecard, 2026
Concordia University-Wisconsin: cost, earnings and payback
MeasureValueSource
Net price (after aid)$36,201/yrScorecard, 2026
Total net cost (4 yrs)$144,804our math
Median earnings, 10 yrs after entry$56,075Scorecard, 2026
Earnings premium over HS baseline$7,715/yrour math
Median debt (completers)$25,750Scorecard, 2026
Payback18.8 yrsour math
20-year net return$9,496our math

College Scorecard (2026 release), institution-level · payback and returns are our math.

How we compute this. Payback = total net cost ÷ annual earnings premium, where the premium is median earnings 10 years after entry minus the $48,360 baseline (BLS 2024 median for a high-school-diploma worker 25+). Total net cost = net price × 4 years. We do not discount future dollars. The institution-wide earnings figure blends every major — a specific program's payback can be far better or worse. Full method on the methodology page.

Concordia University-Wisconsin: frequently asked questions

Is Concordia University-Wisconsin worth the cost?
On the numbers, yes. Concordia University-Wisconsin charges $36,201/yr after aid ($144,804 over 4 years), and graduates earn a median $56,075 ten years out — $7,715/yr above the $48,360 high-school baseline. That clears the cost in 18.8 years and returns $9,496 net over 20 years, a slow but positive payback.
How long does a Concordia University-Wisconsin degree take to pay off?
About 18.8 years. We divide the $144,804 four-year net cost by the $7,715/yr earnings premium over the high-school baseline. It is a floor, not a ceiling — mid-career raises pay it back faster.
How much does Concordia University-Wisconsin cost after financial aid?
The median net price is $36,201/yr — about $144,804 over 4 years. That is what the typical aided student actually pays after grants and scholarships, not the published sticker price.
How does Concordia University-Wisconsin compare to other Wisconsin colleges?
It ranks #27 of 53 Wisconsin colleges we track by payback. Its $56,075 median earnings beat the national median of $43,552, and its $36,201 net price is above the national median of $16,906.