Concordia University Texas
Austin, Texas · Private Nonprofit · 91.3% acceptance rate
ROI Score: 57/100 · Below Average Value
Data: 2024-25 College Scorecard release
Concordia University Texas scores 57 (Below Average Value) on the CampusROI scale, with the completion rate sub-score and repayment rate (36) as the primary drags. The institution is a small Lutheran private nonprofit enrolling 1,185 students in Austin, Texas, with a net price of $23,131 - close to sticker price ($23,500), indicating limited institutional aid. Average 6-year earnings are $41,200, with a 9-year payback period. The 44.6% completion rate is the central risk factor: fewer than half of enrolled students graduate. Median debt of $21,852 is moderate, but the 68.3% repayment rate indicates roughly 32% of borrowers are not reducing principal. Scorecard does not report SAT or ACT ranges. Pell grant rate of 41.4% indicates a significant share of low-income students at a school with limited institutional aid. The program roster is heavily concentrated in Registered Nursing (277 graduates - by far the largest program, earning a B grade), which drives aggregate earnings metrics upward. Business Administration (C+, 67 grads) and Business Administration and Management (C, 13 grads) show acceptable but modest outcomes. Liberal Arts (D, 32 grads) and Biology (F, 12 grads) are weak. Concordia's Austin location is a relative advantage - Texas labor market wages in nursing and business are competitive - but the institutional metrics are not strong.
Concordia University Texas
Quick Numbers
| In-state tuition + fees | $23,500/yr |
| Out-of-state tuition + fees | $23,500/yr |
| Average net price | $23,131/yr |
| Total 4-year cost (net) | $92,524 |
| Median earnings (10yr post-entry) | $60,883 |
| Average earnings (6yr post-entry) | $41,200 |
| Median debt at graduation | $21,852 |
| Estimated monthly loan payment | $232 |
| Estimated payback period | 9 years |
| 6-year graduation rate | 44.6% |
| Undergraduate enrollment | 1,185 |
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: $23,500/year, which covers tuition and fees only. After grants, scholarships, and aid, the average student here pays a net price of $23,131/year, or roughly $92,524 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 $18,764/year here, while families earning over $110,000 pay $32,280/year.
Among graduates who borrowed, the median federal loan debt from this school is $21,852, which works out to about $232 a month on the standard 10-year repayment plan. Our debt-to-earnings ratio divides that debt by average earnings six years after entry ($41,200) and comes to 0.53, under 1.0, meaning median debt is less than a full year of those earnings.
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 | $18,764 |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $18,394 |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $22,118 |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $23,977 |
| $110,001+ | $32,280 |
Cost by Income Bracket Explained
Lower-income families (under $30K)
The 0-30000 income bracket pays $18,764 per year at Concordia. The low-income net price is only 19% below the $23,131 institutional average, indicating limited aid depth for the neediest students. At $18,764 annually against $41,200 average 6-year earnings, low-income students carry substantial financial risk - especially given that fewer than half of enrolled students graduate.
Middle-income families ($30K-$110K)
The 30001-48000 bracket pays $18,394 - slightly below the lowest-income bracket, likely due to specific aid programs. The 48001-75000 bracket pays $22,118. At $22,118 per year for a 44.6% completion institution, middle-income families are accepting significant completion risk. The nursing program dominates Concordia's outcomes; middle-income students pursuing nursing can construct a reasonable financial case, but those entering business or liberal arts face weaker outcomes relative to price.
Higher-income families ($110K+)
The 75001-110000 bracket pays $23,977 and the 110001-plus bracket pays $32,280. The case for Concordia at this price point rests entirely on institutional fit or religious mission alignment.
Earnings by Major
Top 8 most popular majors at Concordia University Texas with available earnings data.
| Major | Median Earnings | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing | $79,891 | B |
| Business Administration, Management, and Operations | $70,668 | C+ |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences | $52,691 | D |
| Kinesiology and Exercise Science | $47,224 | C |
| Business Administration and Management | $78,414 | C |
| Biology | $26,001 | F |
| Communication and Media Studies | $39,068 | C |
| Teacher Education | $52,748 | - |
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
Registered Nursing (277 graduates) earns a B grade: $73,290 year-one and $79,891 year-four with $27,417 in median debt and a ratio of 0.374. Nursing at Concordia is the clear institutional anchor - 277 graduates annually makes it by far the largest program. Year-one earnings of $73k are consistent with Austin-area RN wages. The B grade reflects solid alignment between credential and borrowing. Nursing is the primary reason to consider Concordia.
Business Administration, Management, and Operations
Business Administration (67 graduates) earns a C+ grade: $47,120 year-one and $70,668 year-four with $25,128 in median debt and a ratio of 0.533. Year-one earnings of $47k are modest for the Austin labor market. The four-year trajectory to $71k shows career progression. The C+ grade reflects the ratio relative to a net price of $23,131 annually.
Liberal Arts and Sciences
Liberal Arts and Sciences (32 graduates) earns a D grade: $36,012 year-one and $52,691 year-four with $32,474 in median debt and a ratio of 0.902. Students considering this path should explore specific career goals before committing.
Biology
Biology (12 graduates) earns an F grade: $26,001 year-one with $26,500 in median debt and a ratio of 1.019. Scorecard does not report year-four earnings for this cohort. The ratio of 1.019 means debt exceeds annual year-one earnings. The small cohort (12 graduates) limits the reliability of these estimates, but the directional signal is clear. Biology graduates entering the Austin labor market without graduate-level credentials face a difficult early career financial situation.
Business Administration and Management
Business Administration and Management (13 graduates) earns a C grade: $60,641 year-one and $78,414 year-four with $38,138 in median debt and a ratio of 0.629. Year-one earnings of $61k are reasonable for Austin business roles. However, the $38,138 debt figure is the second-highest in the program roster, suppressing the grade. The C grade reflects a high debt load against acceptable earnings. This appears to be a distinct CIP code from the larger Business Administration program (5202, 67 grads); students should clarify which program track they are entering.
How Graduates Do
Earnings
Loan Repayment
| Metric | This School | Median of schools we score |
|---|---|---|
| 1-year repayment | 63.7% | 68.8% |
| 3-year repayment | 68.3% | 73.6% |
| 5-year repayment | 63.4% | 67.7% |
| 7-year repayment | 67.2% | 72.8% |
Completion Rate
Trends Over Time
How Concordia University Texas’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 | 91.3% |
| Enrollment | 1,185 |
| Pell Grant recipients | 41.4% |
| Avg faculty salary (monthly) | $6,271 |
At 91.3% admission, Concordia is effectively open access. Scorecard does not report standardized test ranges. The open admissions profile against a 44.6% completion rate means the school admits nearly everyone but completes fewer than half. This pattern suggests financial attrition, academic fit issues, or student persistence challenges unrelated to academic preparation. Students should ask specifically about year-one retention rates and term-by-term completion data within their intended program.
Compared to Similar Schools
Peer institutions matched by type, size, and selectivity.
| School | ROI | Net Price | 10yr Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Concordia University Texas (this school) | 57 | $23,131 | $60,883 |
| Walla Walla University | 62 | $23,329 | $61,885 |
| Saint Martin's University | 57 | $28,119 | $62,092 |
| Thomas More University | 56 | $21,835 | $59,384 |
| Abilene Christian University | 51 | $26,182 | $55,736 |
| Arlington Baptist University | 14 | $24,906 | $44,644 |
Who Thrives Here
Concordia University Texas admits 91.3% of applicants and enrolls 1,185 students in Austin, Texas. Scorecard does not report standardized test score ranges. Pell grant rate of 41.4% indicates a significant share of lower-income students enrolling in a school with near-sticker net pricing. Concordia is a Lutheran mission institution; many students choose it for religious reasons or because of the Austin nursing program. The 44.6% completion rate means more than half of enrolled students do not graduate. Students should thoroughly research persistence rates before enrolling.
The Verdict: Proceed With Caution
The money case for Concordia University Texas is mixed, and worth a hard look before you commit. At $23,131 per year after aid, the typical graduate earns $60,883 ten years after entry, which means it takes about 9 years to earn the cost back. For context, the median payback across the schools we score is about 12 years. Whether it's worth it comes down to your major and your aid package.
What to keep an eye on: its 44.6% graduation rate, a three-year loan repayment rate of 68.3% (median across the schools we score: 73.6%).
Median debt of $21,852 among graduates who borrowed, against average earnings of $41,200 six years after entry, gives a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.53, 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 Texas: Common Questions
Is Concordia University Texas worth it?
In our view, the money case is mixed and worth a hard look before you commit. Concordia University Texas scores 57/100 on our ROI scale. At $23,131 a year after aid the typical graduate earns $60,883 ten years after entry, so it takes about 9 years to earn the cost back. For context, the median payback across the schools we score is about 12 years.
How much does Concordia University Texas 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 $23,131 a year, or roughly $92,524 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 Texas graduates earn?
The typical graduate earns about $60,883 ten years after enrolling, roughly $19,083 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 Texas?
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 9 years for Concordia University Texas. The median across the schools we track is about 12 years.
How much debt do Concordia University Texas graduates take on?
Among graduates who borrowed, median federal loan debt from this school is about $21,852, against average earnings of $41,200 six years after entry - a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.53. 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 Texas?
The six-year graduation rate is 44.6%. 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.