Concordia University-Wisconsin
Mequon, Wisconsin · Private Nonprofit · 78.2% acceptance rate
ROI Score: 43/100 · Poor Value
Concordia University-Wisconsin scores 43 (Poor Value) on the CampusROI scale, a result driven by a 13.5-year payback period, $40,400 median 6-year earnings, and a earnings premium of only 14.6% above baseline. The school is a private Lutheran institution in Mequon, Wisconsin, with 2,197 undergraduates and $35,470 tuition. Net price of $36,201 is the critical problem: Concordia's aid program barely reduces the sticker price, meaning students pay close to full tuition regardless of income band -- the range runs from $34,991 (lowest income) to $38,595 (highest income), an unusually compressed and high schedule for a private school. The 68.4% completion rate is respectable. Repayment at 73.0% by year three shows reasonable graduate performance on loans. The program mix tells two stories: Registered Nursing (87 graduates, $72,393 year one, $81,505 year four, B grade) and Allied Health (14 graduates, B grade) are the value anchors. Rehabilitation/Therapeutic Professions (54 graduates, B+ grade) also performs well. Business and education programs show C and D grades, dragged down by the high net price relative to moderate earnings. Biology earns an F grade with a 1.127 debt-to-earnings ratio. The school's $35,470 tuition with minimal aid compression is the core structural problem -- health sciences programs justify the price; most other programs do not.
The data raises concerns about Concordia University-Wisconsin
These metrics fall below the thresholds most financial advisors recommend for a sound college investment. Review them carefully before committing.
- ROI Score43/100 - Poor Value tier (below 45). Most 4-year schools we track score 60 or higher.
Concordia University-Wisconsin
Quick Numbers
| In-state tuition + fees | $35,470/yr |
| Out-of-state tuition + fees | $35,470/yr |
| Average net price | $36,201/yr |
| Total 4-year cost (net) | $144,804 |
| Median earnings (10yr post-entry) | $56,075 |
| Median earnings (6yr post-entry) | $40,400 |
| Median debt at graduation | $25,750 |
| Estimated monthly loan payment | $273 |
| Estimated payback period | 13.5 years |
| 6-year graduation rate | 68.3% |
| Undergraduate enrollment | 2,197 |
Data as of 2024-2025. Source: College Scorecard API (U.S. Department of Education).
The Full Financial Picture
The sticker price at Concordia University-Wisconsin is $35,470/year. But sticker price isn't what most students pay. After grants, scholarships, and financial aid, the average student pays a net price of $36,201/year, or roughly $144,804 over four years.
That net price varies significantly by family income. The lowest-income families (under $30,000/year) pay an average of $34,991/year, while families earning over $110,000 pay $38,595/year.
The median graduate leaves with $25,750 in federal loan debt, translating to an estimated monthly payment of $273 on a standard 10-year repayment plan. Against median earnings of $56,075 ten years out, the debt-to-earnings ratio is 0.64 - within the recommended range but worth monitoring.
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 | $34,991 |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $31,070 |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $32,747 |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $36,336 |
| $110,001+ | $38,595 |
Cost by Income Bracket Explained
Lower-income families (under $30K)
Low-income students (0-30000) pay $34,991 per year at Concordia -- nearly identical to the $35,470 sticker tuition. This means financial aid is essentially nonexistent for the lowest-income families. A four-year cost of $139,964 for students who need the most aid is a serious equity problem. Low-income students who want a Lutheran private college experience should compare Concordia against institutions with stronger financial aid programs.
Middle-income families ($30K-$110K)
The 48001-75000 bracket pays $32,747 per year, and the 75001-110000 bracket pays $36,336 -- actually more than the lowest bracket, an anomaly in the aid schedule. Middle-income families pay essentially full price. The minimal variation across income bands signals that Concordia's aid model is not income-sensitive, which creates affordability risk for families without high assets.
Higher-income families ($110K+)
Families earning $110,000+ pay $38,595 per year -- the highest net price in the schedule. Over four years, that is $154,380 total cost. Against $40,400 median six-year earnings, the financial case requires either a health sciences credential with high earnings or a very long time horizon. Full-pay enrollment in a non-health program at Concordia's price point is difficult to justify on ROI grounds.
Earnings by Major
Top 10 most popular majors at Concordia University-Wisconsin with available earnings data.
| Major | Median Earnings | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing | $81,505 | B |
| Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions | $64,784 | B+ |
| Business Administration, Management, and Operations | $65,787 | C+ |
| Marketing | $68,606 | C |
| Teacher Education | $45,665 | C |
| Kinesiology and Exercise Science | $55,624 | D |
| Human Resources Management | $79,286 | C |
| Finance and Financial Management | $63,594 | C+ |
| Biology | $59,231 | F |
| Teacher Education, Subject-Specific | $42,923 | C |
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
Nursing is Concordia's strongest program: 87 graduates, $72,393 year-one earnings, $81,505 at year four, debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.397 (B grade). Median debt of $28,750 is moderate relative to immediate earnings. In Wisconsin's healthcare labor market, a nursing credential from a regionally known private institution carries placement value. This is the primary ROI justification for Concordia's high net price -- nursing graduates recoup the investment within a reasonable timeline.
Allied Health Diagnostic and Treatment
Allied Health (14 graduates) shows $67,407 year one and $76,617 at year four, with a 0.393 debt-to-earnings ratio (B grade). The small program size limits statistical reliability, but the outcomes are consistent with health sciences at Concordia performing well above the institutional average. Students who complete this program enter a labor market with persistent demand for diagnostic and imaging professionals.
Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions
Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions (54 graduates) reports $64,784 four-year earnings and a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.338 (B+ grade), with median debt of $21,875. No year-one earnings are reported, but the four-year figure is strong relative to debt. Physical and occupational therapy roles align with this program; graduates who pursue graduate licensure in PT or OT will add debt but also substantially increase earnings beyond the four-year figure.
Business Administration, Management, and Operations
Business Administration (35 graduates) earns $56,347 year one and $65,787 at year four, with a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.490 (C+ grade). Against Concordia's net price of $34,991-$36,201 per year, these earnings produce a 13.5-year payback at the institutional level. Students targeting business should compare against UW-Milwaukee or UW-Whitewater, where similar outcomes are available at lower cost.
Human Resources Management
Human Resources Management (22 graduates) earns $58,982 year one and $79,286 at year four, with a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.628 (C grade). The four-year trajectory to $79k is a meaningful improvement, suggesting HR graduates who advance into management roles see real wage growth. The C grade reflects the weight of Concordia's high cost on a moderate-earning program.
How Graduates Do
Earnings
Loan Repayment
| Metric | This School | Nat'l Avg |
|---|---|---|
| 1-year repayment | 67.9% | 52.0% |
| 3-year repayment | 73.0% | 62.0% |
| 5-year repayment | 59.4% | 68.0% |
| 7-year repayment | 66.7% | 72.0% |
Completion Rate
Admissions Snapshot
| Acceptance rate | 78.2% |
| ACT Composite (25th-75th) | 22-28 |
| Enrollment | 2,197 |
| Pell Grant recipients | 26.7% |
| Avg faculty salary (monthly) | $7,256 |
At 78.2%, Concordia admits most applicants. ACT composite range is 22-28; no SAT data is reported. The accessible admissions profile means academic preparation is rarely a barrier. Given the high net price across all income bands, students with demonstrated financial need should use the net price calculator carefully and compare against Wisconsin's public system, where in-state tuition is substantially lower.
Compared to Similar Schools
Peer institutions matched by type, size, and selectivity.
Concordia-Wisconsin's Scorecard peers include Alverno College, Barry University, University of Mount Union, and Ashland University -- similar small private Lutheran and Catholic institutions. Alverno College, known for competency-based education, offers a different pedagogical model at lower cost. Barry University in Miami competes for a different geographic demographic. Among the peer set, Concordia's health sciences programs are a competitive strength; its institutional net price structure is a competitive weakness. The Lutheran affiliation draws students with faith alignment, which the Scorecard data does not price.
| School | ROI | Net Price | 10yr Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Concordia University-Wisconsin (this school) | 43 | $36,201 | $56,075 |
| Bellin College | 72 | $37,408 | $76,222 |
| Ashland University | 47 | $21,988 | $52,928 |
| University of Mount Union | 44 | $23,280 | $53,217 |
| Barry University | 42 | $22,613 | $55,966 |
| Alverno College | 39 | $22,540 | $53,145 |
Who Thrives Here
Concordia-Wisconsin is a Lutheran university with 2,197 undergraduates in suburban Milwaukee. The 78.2% admission rate and ACT range of 22-28 indicate moderate selectivity. Pell grant rate of 26.7% suggests a mix of economic backgrounds. Students specifically targeting nursing, allied health, or rehabilitation therapy find a credentialed program at a small private campus. Students pursuing business, education, or liberal arts face a less favorable value equation -- similar outcomes are available at lower net prices at Wisconsin's public regional campuses.
The Verdict: The Numbers Don't Add Up
The financial data raises serious concerns about Concordia University-Wisconsin. With a net cost of $36,201 per year and median graduate earnings of only $56,075 ten years out, the estimated payback period exceeds 13.5 years. For most students, the financial return does not justify the cost.
Key strengths include a 68.3% graduation rate. However, the data also shows weak earnings relative to cost and high debt relative to what graduates earn and a long payback period.
Median debt of $25,750 against $56,075 in earnings is reasonable, though major choice matters significantly. Students in higher-earning programs will see better returns.
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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.