Concordia University-Saint Paul
Saint Paul, Minnesota · Private Nonprofit · 78.9% acceptance rate
ROI Score: 67/100 · Fair Value
Data: 2024-25 College Scorecard release
Concordia University-Saint Paul scores 67 (Fair Value) on the CampusROI scale. The payback period is 8.6 years and average 6-year earnings are $46,000. The 45.9% completion rate is the primary concern - fewer than half of students who enroll graduate. The 72.8% repayment rate at year three is acceptable but below the strong end. Net price is $18,462 against $25,600 tuition, indicating meaningful aid. Registered Nursing is the dominant program by volume (331 graduates, $73,235 year-one, C+ grade) with the C+ reflecting moderately high debt ($36,940) relative to earnings. Computer Science earns a B grade (14 graduates, $72,875 year-one, $105,577 year-four). Human Resources Management earns a B grade (24 graduates). Business Administration earns a C+ grade (83 graduates). Lower-performing programs include Biology (D), Kinesiology (D), and Psychology (D). Median debt is $17,832, and the debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.388 is the strongest subscore for the institution. Concordia is a Lutheran university in the Twin Cities metro, providing labor market proximity to Minnesota's large healthcare, financial, and manufacturing employers.
Concordia University-Saint Paul
Quick Numbers
| In-state tuition + fees | $25,600/yr |
| Out-of-state tuition + fees | $25,600/yr |
| Average net price | $18,462/yr |
| Total 4-year cost (net) | $73,848 |
| Median earnings (10yr post-entry) | $59,871 |
| Average earnings (6yr post-entry) | $46,000 |
| Median debt at graduation | $17,832 |
| Estimated monthly loan payment | $189 |
| Estimated payback period | 8.6 years |
| 6-year graduation rate | 45.9% |
| Undergraduate enrollment | 3,018 |
Data as of 2024-2025. Source: College Scorecard API (U.S. Department of Education).
The Full Financial Picture
The first number you'll see is the sticker price: $25,600/year, which covers tuition and fees only. After grants, scholarships, and aid, the average student here pays a net price of $18,462/year, or roughly $73,848 over four years. That's the number to plan around.
What you actually pay depends a lot on what your family earns. Families making under $30,000/year pay an average of $16,406/year here, while families earning over $110,000 pay $23,295/year.
Among graduates who borrowed, the median federal loan debt from this school is $17,832, which works out to about $189 a month on the standard 10-year repayment plan. Our debt-to-earnings ratio divides that debt by average earnings six years after entry ($46,000) and comes to 0.39, which in our view is comfortably manageable.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after grants and scholarships, by income bracket.
| Family Income | Avg Net Price/Year |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $16,406 |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $16,794 |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $16,826 |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $19,135 |
| $110,001+ | $23,295 |
Cost by Income Bracket Explained
Lower-income families (under $30K)
Families earning $0-30,000 pay $16,406 per year at Concordia. At $25,600 tuition, this reflects meaningful need-based aid. The 45.9% completion rate is the key risk: lower-income students who do not complete face debt without a credential. For nursing students specifically, completion rates within the program likely exceed the institutional average, and year-one earnings of $73k support rapid debt repayment.
Middle-income families ($30K-$110K)
Middle-income families pay $16,826 (48001-75000) and $19,135 (75001-110000) per year - a relatively flat structure across the middle income bands. At $46,000 average 6-year earnings and an 8.6-year payback, middle-income families are making a moderate-risk investment. Program selection - particularly nursing or CS versus lower-earning tracks - significantly changes the payback timeline.
Higher-income families ($110K+)
Families earning $110,000+ pay $23,295 per year - approximately $93,000 over four years. Against $46,000 average earnings, the aggregate ROI case takes about 8-9 years at this price point. For higher-income families whose students target nursing or CS, program earnings significantly outpace the institutional median and produce faster payback. The Lutheran identity and Twin Cities location are the institutional differentiators; families for whom those factors matter will find the price reasonable.
Earnings by Major
Top 10 most popular majors at Concordia University-Saint Paul with available earnings data.
| Major | Median Earnings | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing | $93,347 | C+ |
| Business Administration, Management, and Operations | $77,037 | C+ |
| Kinesiology and Exercise Science | $49,571 | D |
| Psychology | $52,447 | D |
| Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services | $55,294 | D |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $73,060 | C |
| Teacher Education | $40,801 | C |
| Human Resources Management | $79,708 | B |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services | $75,912 | C |
| Biology | $69,651 | D |
Earnings reflect median 4-year post-completion (or 1-year where 4-year unavailable). Grades based on debt-to-earnings ratio.
Program Analysis
Why these programs deliver their earnings outcomes.
Registered Nursing
331 graduates, $73,235 year-one, $93,347 year-four, ROI grade C+ with debt-to-earnings 0.504 and median debt $36,940. Nursing is the largest program and drives the institutional profile. Year-one earnings of $73k in the Twin Cities market are strong, but the debt load is the differentiating factor.
Computer Science
14 graduates, $72,875 year-one, $105,577 year-four, ROI grade B with debt-to-earnings 0.400 and median debt $29,180. CS earns a B grade with strong four-year earnings of $105k. Small cohort size (14 graduates) limits statistical precision, but the directional outcome is consistent with Twin Cities tech employment. The B grade reflects solid earnings against moderate debt.
Human Resources Management
24 graduates, $65,730 year-one, $79,708 year-four, ROI grade B with debt-to-earnings 0.436 and median debt $28,666. HR management earns a B grade with year-one earnings above the institutional median by a wide margin. Twin Cities corporate employers - particularly healthcare, retail, and financial services firms - create strong demand for HR professionals. Year-four earnings of $79k reflect career progression into HR business partner and management roles. A B grade at $28,666 median debt reflects adequate but not exceptional debt-to-income.
Business Administration, Management, and Operations
83 graduates, $59,044 year-one, $77,037 year-four, ROI grade C+ with debt-to-earnings 0.457 and median debt $27,000. Business earns a C+ with adequate earnings progression. Year-one of $59k against $27,000 median debt produces a workable debt-to-income ratio. The Twin Cities corporate job market provides employment context that improves outcomes relative to less metro-connected institutions.
How Graduates Do
Earnings
Loan Repayment
| Metric | This School | Median of schools we score |
|---|---|---|
| 1-year repayment | 68.9% | 68.8% |
| 3-year repayment | 72.8% | 73.6% |
| 5-year repayment | 69.1% | 67.7% |
| 7-year repayment | 73.9% | 72.8% |
Completion Rate
Trends Over Time
How Concordia University-Saint Paul’s cost and outcomes have moved across College Scorecard releases (2009-2024).
Average Net Price
Completion Rate
Median Earnings, 10 Years After Entry (as reported)
Earnings reflect borrowers measured 10 years after entry and publish on an irregular cadence with a multi-year reporting lag, so this series shows only the years the Department of Education reported - the data is never interpolated.
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, release years shown. Net price and completion are reported annually.
Admissions Snapshot
| Acceptance rate | 78.9% |
| Enrollment | 3,018 |
| Pell Grant recipients | 35.2% |
| Avg faculty salary (monthly) | $7,654 |
Concordia's 78.9% admission rate and absence of test score data indicate broadly accessible enrollment. No standardized test threshold is published. Prospective students should ask about specific program completion rates, not just the institutional average, and should evaluate what financial, academic, and social support resources the university provides.
Compared to Similar Schools
Peer institutions matched by type, size, and selectivity.
| School | ROI | Net Price | 10yr Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Concordia University-Saint Paul (this school) | 67 | $18,462 | $59,871 |
| Elmhurst University | 68 | $24,185 | $61,462 |
| Rider University | 61 | $24,792 | $62,208 |
| Stevenson University | 60 | $26,505 | $62,079 |
| Augsburg University | 53 | $23,873 | $58,829 |
| Bethany Lutheran College | 35 | $20,148 | $46,110 |
Who Thrives Here
Concordia admits 78.9% of applicants with no test score ranges reported. Enrollment is 3,018 with a 35.2% Pell rate indicating a substantial lower-income population. Students targeting nursing, business, or CS have reasonable outcomes relative to the institutional cost. The 45.9% completion rate is the defining risk: roughly half of enrolled students do not graduate. Students who need strong retention support should investigate Concordia's advising and academic support infrastructure carefully.
The Verdict: A Reasonable Bet - With Caveats
Concordia University-Saint Paul is a fair-value bet, but how well it pays off depends a lot on you. At $18,462 a year after aid ($73,848 over four years), with the typical graduate earning $59,871 a decade out, the cost takes about 8.6 years to earn back. For context, the median payback across the schools we score is about 12 years.
What it has going for it: manageable debt relative to earnings. What to keep an eye on: its 45.9% graduation rate.
Median debt of $17,832 among graduates who borrowed, against average earnings of $46,000 six years after entry, gives a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.39, under the 1.0 point at which debt would equal a full year of those earnings. Your major matters a lot here: graduates in higher-earning fields will see the better end of this.
Concordia University-Saint Paul: Common Questions
Is Concordia University-Saint Paul worth it?
In our view, it's a fair-value bet - whether Concordia University-Saint Paul is worth it depends a lot on your major and aid package. It scores 67/100 on our ROI scale. At $18,462 a year after aid ($73,848 over four years) against $59,871 in typical earnings a decade out, the cost takes about 8.6 years to earn back. For context, the median payback across the schools we score is about 12 years.
How much does Concordia University-Saint Paul cost after financial aid?
The average net price - the cost of attendance (tuition, fees, books, supplies and average living costs) minus grants and scholarships, for full-time, first-time students receiving federal aid - is about $18,462 a year, or roughly $73,848 over four years. Because it counts living costs, it can run above tuition alone. That is the number to plan around. Actual cost varies by family income, per the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard.
What do Concordia University-Saint Paul graduates earn?
The typical graduate earns about $59,871 ten years after enrolling, roughly $18,071 a year more than the median high-school graduate ($41,800, per NCES, 2022). That earnings gap is what has to cover the cost of the degree.
How long does it take to pay off Concordia University-Saint Paul?
We estimate the payback period - the time it takes for the earnings bump over a high-school graduate to cover what you spent - at about 8.6 years for Concordia University-Saint Paul. The median across the schools we track is about 12 years.
How much debt do Concordia University-Saint Paul graduates take on?
Among graduates who borrowed, median federal loan debt from this school is about $17,832, against average earnings of $46,000 six years after entry - a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.39. In our view that is reasonable, though your major matters: higher-earning fields will see the better end of it.
What is the graduation rate at Concordia University-Saint Paul?
The six-year graduation rate is 45.9%. The national average for four-year schools is 64% (NCES, 2022). Completion is 15% of our ROI score, since a degree you don't finish rarely pays back.
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Data: College Scorecard API (U.S. Department of Education)
Vintage: 2024-2025 · Last updated: 2026-03-25
Earnings reflect median outcomes for all federal financial aid recipients. Individual results vary by major, effort, and career path.