Concordia University Chicago: A Legacy of Faith, Learning, and Leadership
For over 160 years, Concordia University Chicago (CUC) has been dedicated to preparing leaders with the knowledge, faith, and values necessary to make a positive impact on the world. As a Lutheran university rooted in Christian teaching and virtue, CUC nurtures students’ spiritual lives as an essential part of their college experience. The university aims to cultivate an educational environment that fosters intellectual growth, ethical development, and professional competency among its students.
A Foundation of Faith and Values
At Concordia University Chicago, faith is not something to shy away from but rather something to lead with. The university educates all its students by placing Christ at the center of all its endeavors. As a Christian university rooted in the Lutheran tradition, CUC cultivates within each of its students the ideals of a Christian life. Faith is woven into nearly every aspect of student life, both inside the classroom and out.
As an institution of the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod, Concordia-Chicago is one of six independent colleges and universities that are part of a nationwide Concordia University System. The CUC community treats all people as precious individuals, as human beings made in the image of God. Here, students are inspired, challenged, and appreciated for their contributions. The university empowers its students to determine their own futures, standing tall for achievement.
Beginning in Fall 2025, if you’re a new, incoming student enrolled full time in one of our church professional programs, your tuition and mandatory fees won’t exceed $5,000 per academic year. You can also stack external scholarships from LCMS districts and congregations, as well as other private entities, for greater savings.
Historic Roots and Evolution
Concordia University Chicago marks 1864 as its founding in Addison, Illinois. Originally called Addison Teachers Seminary, the institution is the oldest in the Concordia University System. Lutheran teacher training in the United States began in Perry County, Missouri; Fort Wayne, Indiana; and Milwaukee, Wisconsin, in 1839, 1846, and 1855 respectively. In 1857, the responsibility for the operation of the teachers seminary in Milwaukee was given to the LCMS.
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The West District School Society (today's St. Paul Lutheran Church) sold 6 acres (2.4 ha) to the college for the nominal amount of $10 in November 1863, and construction began on a new facility, with the cornerstone-laying service on June 15, 1864. The first building, a three-story structure designed for 60 students, was dedicated on December 28, 1864. Enrollment grew to 110 in 1874 and to 240 in 1885, requiring additional construction. A north wing to the main building opened in 1868, a south wing in 1875, and a separate lecture hall called New Hall in 1885. The Commons Building, containing the dining room, kitchen, and bakery, opened behind the main building in 1886, and the physical education building, called Turnen Hall, opened in 1895. The faculty grew from two in 1864 to nine in 1906, housed in nine faculty residences on the campus. A large celebration was held when the final Addison class graduated in June 1913. The campus was purchased in 1914 by the Chicago City Mission Society and became the Addison Manual Training School for Boys and the Industrial School for Girls.
On November 12, 1912, ground was broken for a new campus in River Forest, Illinois. More than 8,000 people attended the cornerstone laying service on December 15, 1912. On October 12, 1913, the institution moved to its present campus with an estimated 30,000-45,000 people attending the dedication. Prior to the dedication of the River Forest campus, much discussion took place regarding a new name for the institution.
Concordia University-Chicago was founded in 1864 originally as a teacher training school. Over time, it evolved to meet the expanding educational needs of its students and community. The institution transitioned from a seminary-focused establishment to a comprehensive university offering a variety of undergraduate and graduate programs. Its history reflects a progression from preparing educators primarily for Lutheran schools to serving a broader and more diverse student population across multiple fields of study. Throughout its development, the university maintained a commitment to integrating professional preparation with a liberal arts foundation, continuously adapting its curriculum to reflect changing educational standards and societal demands. In 1979, the institution expanded its education-centered program to become a full liberal arts institution and changed its name to Concordia College. Eleven years later, in 1990, having experienced tremendous growth in its graduate offerings, the school reorganized and changed its legal name to Concordia University.
Academics and Programs
Concordia University-Chicago organizes its academic offerings across several key faculties, providing a broad spectrum of disciplines for prospective students. The College of Arts, Sciences, and Education is a central component, housing departments such as Biology, Psychology, and Education. These departments focus on preparing students for professional careers as well as further graduate studies. Another significant division is the School of Graduate Studies, which offers advanced degrees in areas including Counseling and Human Services, Business Administration, and Leadership. The university also features a specialized Department of Business and Technology, concentrating on contemporary skills such as information technology and organizational management. In addition, Concordia University-Chicago supports a robust program in Health Sciences, preparing students for roles in healthcare settings and public health sectors.
Undergraduate fields of study include education, business, visual and performing arts, liberal arts and sciences, computer information systems, communications, exercise science, environmental science, health sciences, social work, and religion. Concordia offers a nursing program in conjunction with Resurrection University in nearby Oak Park, Illinois. Concordia University Chicago students may study off-campus at nearby Dominican University and at other institutions in the Chicago area.
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Campus Life and Location
CUC students, faculty, staff, and visitors enjoy the historic, suburban villages of River Forest and Oak Park that immediately surround campus. With easy access to public transportation, having Chicago just 10 miles from campus means there’s a world of unforgettable experiences waiting to be explored.
Concordia University-Chicago is situated at 7400 Augusta Street in River Forest, Illinois, a suburb located in the Midwest region of the United States. This location offers students access to a residential community that combines suburban tranquility with proximity to urban amenities. For students traveling from afar, the university is accessible via O'Hare International Airport, which is the nearest major airport serving the area. This makes it convenient for those coming from other parts of the country or internationally to reach the campus with relative ease.
For those visiting the campus, it is located about 1 1/2 miles north of I-290 (Eisenhower Exp) on Rt 43 (Harlem Ave.), with a left turn on Augusta St. Drive one block to campus. The campus is located near the intersection of Rt. 43 and Rt. Hotels and Inns located within a mile or two of campus are Carleton Hotel and Motel (1110 Pleasant St., 888-227-5386) and Wright's Cheney House Bed and Breakfast (520 N. East Ave., 708-524-2067).
Visiting campus in-person is one of the best ways to get a feel for what everyday student life is like. The university can arrange a personalized tour just for you and your family.
Arts and Athletics
Concordia Chicago teams participate as a member of the National Collegiate Athletic Association's Division III. Men's sports include baseball, basketball, cross country, football, lacrosse, soccer, tennis, and track & field; women's sports include basketball, cross country, lacrosse, soccer, softball, tennis, track & field, and volleyball. The university’s varsity sports teams are known as the Cougars.
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The Wind Symphony, Concordia's premiere instrumental ensemble, has performed in 43 states, Europe, Asia, and South Africa. The group has released fourteen recordings of sacred wind music. The ensemble has given many premiere performances of compositions by current wind band composers and in Europe and South America. The ensemble also has multiple recordings.
Rankings and Recognition
Concordia University Chicago is a private institution that was founded in 1864. In the 2026 edition of Best Colleges, Concordia University Chicago is ranked No. #129 in Regional Universities Midwest. It's also ranked No. #38 in Top Performers on Social Mobility. It has a total undergraduate enrollment of 1,327 (fall 2024), its setting is suburban, and the campus size is 40 acres. The student-faculty ratio at Concordia University Chicago is 13:1, and it utilizes a semester-based academic calendar. Concordia University Chicago accepts the Common Application and has a test-optional admissions policy. The school's tuition and fees are $38,798. Eighty-one percent of first-year students receive need-based financial aid, and the average net price for federal loan recipients is $18,256. The four-year graduation rate is 25%. Six years after graduation, the median salary for graduates is $44,405.
A Christ-Centered Community
Concordia University Chicago is here to help you complete your degree without interruption. Our caring faculty and staff are prepared to guide you through a seamless transfer process and help you find your new home within our Christ-centered community.
CUC students take part in an engaging academic community that helps them reach their full potential, inspired to improve the lives of others-to meet the needs of the world in which they live, serve, and work. Our alumni are teachers, caregivers, and musicians; counselors, pastors, and business leaders-unshakeable pillars of strength and integrity who serve God’s will by serving others.
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