Concordia University Tuition Fees for International Students: A Comprehensive Guide

Concordia University offers a range of opportunities for international students seeking a high-quality education. This article provides a detailed overview of tuition fees, scholarships, financial aid, and payment options available to international students at Concordia University.

Affordability and Value

Concordia University distinguishes itself by providing a high-quality education at a more affordable cost compared to similar institutions, especially in more expensive regions. Located in a safe area with an affordable cost of living, Concordia presents a compelling option for international students seeking value for their investment. Total costs for international students range from $24,000-$33,000 per year, in addition to working to earn an additional $3,600 for spending money.

Scholarships for International Students

Concordia University offers a variety of scholarship opportunities designed to support international students in their academic pursuits. These scholarships recognize academic merit, family need, and contributions to intercultural learning.

International Excellence Scholarships

These are competitive, merit-based scholarships awarded to international first-year or transfer students. These scholarships can be renewed for up to four years. For the 2026-27 academic year, the scholarship amounts range from $13,000 to $19,000 per year. The strength of the student's academic record determines the award amount. Admitted students who demonstrate the ability to pay in the range of $24,000-$33,000 USD per year are eligible to participate in a Concordia Scholarship interview. Dates for the next round of Concordia Scholarship Interviews are available in a student's individual status portal.

Additional Scholarship Opportunities

Concordia College offers additional scholarship opportunities for students participating in visual arts, music, theatre, and speech and debate. Separate applications are required. Students selected to receive these awards will be expected to participate in events and programs.

#YouAreWelcomeHere Scholarship

Concordia offers two annual, renewable scholarships of at least 50% of tuition to selected international undergraduate students dedicated to advancing intercultural learning and understanding at Concordia. First-year international students who have applied to Concordia can apply for the #YouAreWelcomeHere scholarship. Tuition for 2026-27 is $32,900, so this scholarship begins at a level of $16,450. Funds from the #YouAreWelcomeHere scholarship will replace all other scholarship funds. Students will participate in a video interview to further explain the ways in which they will impact the campus through their dedication to advancing intercultural learning and understanding. #YouAreWelcomeHere scholarship applications are available after a student has been admitted.

United World College (UWC) Davis Scholars

Concordia is recognized as a Davis UWC Scholars Program partner school, joining other colleges and universities in hopes of creating international understanding and positive changes in the world.

ELCA International Women Leaders Scholarships

Concordia College is a college of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA). Concordia partners with the ELCA Global Mission Unit to sponsor talented women leaders from around the world who have been endorsed by global companion churches and who promise to return home at the completion of studies to use their education in service to their communities, the church, and the world.

On-Campus Employment

In addition to scholarships, international students are eligible to work on campus up to 20 hours per week during the school year, providing an opportunity to earn additional income to support their studies and living expenses.

Cost of Attendance (COA)

The cost of attendance (COA) estimates the annual amount needed to cover educational expenses while attending Concordia University Chicago. Several elements besides tuition, mandatory fees, room and board, and residency determine the COA. Final bills come from Student Business Services, which will contain actual tuition costs, fees, and room and board charges if you live on campus. Financial aid award packages cannot exceed the total COA for an academic year.

Read also: Financial Aid at Concordia

Tuition and Fees Structure

Undergraduate Programs

Concordia University employs a flat rate tuition charge for full-time traditional undergraduate students enrolled in 12-18 credit hours for fall and spring semesters. All students are charged a student activity fee, matriculation fee, technology fee and green fee. The average cost for books and supplies for an academic year should also be considered. Typical travel expenses to and from school, home, or work should be accounted for in the budget. Students should also consider the estimated costs of typical living expenses.

Scholarships for Newly Accepted Students at CSP

Newly accepted students enrolling in the traditional on-campus undergraduate program who meet the eligibility criteria below will receive up to a maximum of $3,500 in their first year at CSP, after the Federal Pell Grant and Minnesota State Grant have been applied. For many students, this commitment will fully cover their remaining tuition balance.

Legacy Scholarship

Awarded to newly accepted students enrolling in the traditional undergraduate programs at $1,000 per academic year (fall and spring entry terms only) that have had a family member attend Concordia University, St. Paul. No scholarship application is necessary and is awarded in addition to academic scholarships. Students must be degree seeking and attending full time.

Lutheran Heritage Scholarship

Awarded to new freshmen and transfer students at $1,000 per academic year (fall and spring entry terms only). Scholarships require no application and are awarded automatically if the student is a member of an LCMS congregation. Students must be degree seeking and attending full time. The scholarship is renewed if students are maintaining satisfactory progress.

Military Appreciation Scholarship

Awarded to newly accepted students enrolling in the traditional undergraduate programs at $1,000 per academic year (fall and spring entry terms only) who are dependents, spouses or survivors to veterans and military service members. No scholarship application is necessary and is awarded in addition to academic scholarships. Students must be degree-seeking and attending full time.

PSEO Scholarship

Awarded to newly accepted students enrolling in the traditional undergraduate programs at $1,000 per academic year (fall and spring entry terms only). Eligible students must be (or have been previously) enrolled as a PSEO student at CSP. No scholarship application is necessary and is awarded in addition to academic scholarships. Students must be degree-seeking and attending full time.

Online Degree Programs

Earning a degree from Concordia University is accessible through online programs, allowing students to study anytime and from anywhere.

Tuition Guarantee Program

Concordia University offers a tuition guarantee program to help keep tuition affordable and predictable. With the Tuition Lock Guarantee, students pay the same tuition rate throughout their entire program as long as there are no interruptions in their enrollment.

Graduate Programs and Federal Student Loans

The Department of Education may change how graduate programs qualify for federal student loans, which could affect how much new graduate students can borrow.

Admission Requirements for International Students

To gain admission to Concordia University Chicago, international students must fulfill specific requirements, including:

A completed Concordia University Chicago admission application.
A completed objective statement that provides information on your future educational goals.
Proof of English proficiency, via one of the following:
- Duolingo score of 90 or above
- Password test score of at least 6.0
- Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) score of at least 72 (internet-based)
- International English Language Testing System (IELTS) score of at least 6.0
- Michigan test score of 85
- Pearson Test of English score of at least 61
- Proof of successful completion of Level 112 at an ELS Language School or certificate of Completion of Program from an English Language Institute (ELI), along with a recommendation of the program director
- King George International College (KGIC) English for Post-Secondary Education (EPE) final proficiency test score of 75% with a passing class score of 80.
Official, sealed transcripts from the institutions where your degrees were earned, showing all college and university coursework, with certified English translations of all transcripts originally prepared in any other language.
Any foreign transcripts must be evaluated by a Concordia-approved international credentialing service.

Transcript Evaluation

Regardless of the program, a copy of transcripts is required for all completed degrees (do not need to be official unless from a US school). For any non-US schools: An official course-by-course transcript evaluation (not the general evaluation) from either ECE (Educational Credential Evaluators) or WES (World Education Services) is required. Evaluations must be sent directly from ECE/WES to Concordia to be considered official. Concordia-Chicago will not accept evaluations from anyone other than ECE and WES. The students will need to have their transcripts sent directly from each school to ECE/WES for the evaluation. They need a 2.85 GPA for Standard Acceptance. If students attended a regionally accredited school, they do not need to do the ECE/WES.

Tuition and Fees Details

Concordia University Chicago is proud to accept qualified students from around the world. No other source shall be used to quote University tuition or fees. All Graduate, Credential, and Adult Degree Students will be billed a Student Success Fee each semester. All tuition and fees are due and payable as stated on the bill for each semester. Tuition and fees may be paid at the Bursar's Office located on the first floor of Grimm Hall North (103/104) or online. Students who are past due in any debt to the university will have a financial hold on their account, preventing registration in any school or college of the university until the hold is released. No diploma will be issued for a student who has an outstanding student account balance. Upon withdrawal from the university, accounts with outstanding balances will be transferred to the Bursar for collection. Failure to pay past-due balances will result in the account being turned over to a collection agency, with the student responsible for all additional costs of collection including attorney fees and costs.

Fees (All Students)

The following fees apply to all students:

Application Fee (International & Domestic Undergrad, non-refundable): $50
Certificate Completion Application Fee: $75
Graduation Application Fee (non-refundable): $185
Parking Fee (Commuters & Residents): $150/semester
International Application Processing Fee (Graduate, nonrefundable): $150
Late Registration Fee: $50/course
Study Abroad Fee/Non-ISEP: $200
Study Abroad/ISEP: $750

Housing Fees

The following housing fees apply:

Reservation Fee (returning, traditional undergraduates): $300 (non-refundable)
Off-Campus Housing Appeals Form Late Fee: $315
Quads: $4,195/semester
Sigma/Rho: $4,195/semester
Student: $50/night
Non-student Employee: $300/Week

Meal Plans

Various meal plan options are available, including:

5/week (commuters only): $1923/semester
10/week: $2,663/semester
10/week flex: $2,763/semester
14/week: $2,884/semester
14/week flex: $2,984/semester
19/week: $2,982/semester
19/week flex: $3,082/semester
20 Meals + 50 flex dollars (commuters only): $261
30 Meals + 50 flex dollars (commuters only): $342
40 Meals + 50 flex dollars (commuters only): $414

Traditional Undergraduates Fees

Additional fees for traditional undergraduates include:

Deposit (required): $300
Student Services Fee: $500/semester
New Student Orientation Fee: $275
International Undergraduate Orientation Fee: $500
Full-time Tuition (12-18 units): $21,750/semester
Tuition Overload (18.5+ units): $725/unit
Part-time Tuition: $1,263/unit
Online Tuition (Degree and Non-degree Courses): $420/unit
Applied Music Tuition: $707/unit
Graduate and Non-Traditional Undergraduate Audit Fees: Cost per unit for an audited course is 25% of the per-unit tuition rate for that program. If the program has a tuition cost of $545 per unit, the audited cost would be $136.25 per unit.

Christ College: Director of Christian Education (DCE) Internship Fees

Student Success Fee: $60/semester
Stateside Internship Fee (flat rate): $7,450
International Internship Fee (flat rate): $11,240

Doctor of Education (EdD) and Certificate Fees

Student Success Fee: $60/semester
Tuition: $1,080/unit
Student Service Fee: $200/semester
Washington, D.C. trip (required): $2,400 plus airfare
People's Republic of China Trip (optional): $5,000 including airfare (preliminary estimate; subject to change)

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) Fees

Student Success Fee: $60/semester
Tuition: $795/unit

Master of Arts in Church Leadership Fees

Student Success Fee: $60/semester
Tuition: $670/unit

Master of Arts in Coaching and Athletics Administration (MCAA) Fees

Student Services Fee: $50/semester
Student Success Fee: $60/semester
Tuition: $595/unit

Master of Arts in Education (MAED) Fees

Student Success Fee: $60/semester
Tuition: $710/unit

Master of Arts in Educational Leadership (MAEL) Fees

Student Success Fee: $60/semester
Tuition: $710/unit

Master of Arts in Theology and Certificate Programs Fees

Student Success Fee: $60/semester
Tuition: $670/unit
Cross-Cultural Ministry Center: $670/unit
KINDLE Articulation Fee: $60/unit

Master of Business Administration (MBA) Programs Fees

Student Success Fee: $60/semester
Tuition: $995/unit

Master of Education (MEd) and Teacher Credential Program Fees

Student Success Fee: $60/semester
Tuition: Credential Students - $710/unit
Tuition: MEd Students - $710/unit
Tuition: Clear Credential/Induction - $710/unit
Mentor/Supervision Fee (Clear Credential /Induction) - $600/semester
Student Teaching Fee: $500

Master of Healthcare Administration (MHA) Fees

Student Success Fee: $60/semester
Tuition: $665/unit

Master of Public Health (MPH) Fees

Student Success Fee: $60/semester
Tuition: $665/unit

Master of Science in Coaching and Exercise Sciences (MSCE) Fees

Student Success Fee: $60/semester
Tuition: $595/unit
Student Services Fee: $50

Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) Fees

Tuition: $795/unit
Health Assessment Lab Fee (1 Course): $100
Graduate Student Success Fee: $60/semester

Townsend Institute (Master of Arts and Certificates) Fees

Student Success Fee: $60/semester
Counseling (MA): $695/unit
Executive Coaching & Consulting (MA): $695/unit
Organizational Leadership (MA): $695/unit
Organizational Leadership (Certificate): $695/unit
Professional Coaching (Certificate): $695/unit

Bachelor of Science in Nursing (ABSN) Fees

Student Success Fee: $60/semester
Tuition: $990/unit
Skills Lab Fee: $450 (one-time fee)
Student Service Fee: $110/semester
Software Subscription: $202.24 (one-time fee)
Health Assessment Fee: $150 (one-time fee)
Complio Cost: $24.00/18 month subscription
Additional clinical facility tracking system(s): $15 - $50

Online Bachelor's Degree (OBD) Programs Fees

Student Success Fee: $60/semester
Christian Ministry (BA): $515/unit
Christian Education Leadership (BA): $515/unit
Healthcare Management (BA) (teachout): $510/unit
Organizational Leadership (BS) (teachout): $510/unit

Payment Options

All tuition and fees are due and payable as stated on the Office of the Bursar's webpage. Tuition and fees may be paid at the Office of the Bursar located on the first floor of Grimm Hall North (Rooms 103/104) or online through MyRecords. Failure to pay fees by the established deadlines will result in a Bursar hold and/or late fees and may cause the student to be dropped from all classes. Students are required to complete a Student Financial Obligations Agreement before registering.

Bursar Holds (Financial) on Unpaid Balances and Registration

Students who are past due in any debt to the university will have a Bursar hold on their account. This type of hold prevents:

Registering for future semesters or classes
Making changes to a current class schedule
Checking into campus housing
Picking up a cap and gown and participating in commencement
Conferring of degree and receiving a diploma

In addition, the student's meal plan may be deactivated.

Upon withdrawal from the university, accounts with outstanding balances will be transferred to Concordia's collection department. Failure to pay past-due balances will result in the account being turned over to a collection agency. When the university is forced to turn the account to collections, the student shall be responsible for all additional costs of collection including attorney fees and costs. In addition, students must drop/ withdraw from classes by the published deadlines to avoid charges or to be eligible for a full or pro-rated refund.

Instructional Materials

Information about refund and book buy-back policies is available in Follett's Bookstore.

Refund After Classes Begin

Students who withdraw from school after classes begin may apply in the Office of the Bursar for refunds (i.e., tuition, room, board). The student is responsible for paying any outstanding charges to the university. Please visit the university website for detailed refund information.

Title IV Federal Funds: Tuition, Fees, Room and Board

Through Title IV, the university takes the responsibility, on behalf of the student, to credit the studentâs account with federal funds to satisfy current charges for tuition and fees. Excess federal funds creating a credit balance after tuition and fees are paid in full can be used to pay for room and board charges. Students become immediately responsible for the entire outstanding balance on their account that is not covered by financial assistance.

The Federal Title IV refund policy operates independently of Concordiaâs refund policy. A student who has received Title IV funds and withdraws from school may owe the university for expenses no longer covered by returned federal aid. Any excess funds from disbursements of Title IV funds create a credit balance on the studentâs account. The university must pay this final credit balance directly to the student or parent borrower as soon as possible, but no later than 14 days after one of the following:

the beginning of the semester.
after loan disbursement causing a credit balance.
the date the school received notice from the student or parent borrower to cancel his/her authorization on a Budgetary Agreement form to have the school manage a credit balance.

For the 2024-25 academic year, the parking permit fee must be paid by the beginning of each semester. For students who bring a vehicle to campus after the semester begins, this fee is prorated based on the below schedule. This schedule also applies to refunds if the student withdraws. Upon acceptance to the University, a $300 nonrefundable tuition deposit is required. This is not an additional fee, but a payment that secures your spot at the University and is put towards your tuition upon arrival. This deposit is not refundable and expires after 1 calendar year.

International Payment Options

There are limited institutional scholarship opportunities for international undergraduate students. Possible scholarships are based on academic performance. Concordia has partnered with Transact Campus to offer international students a secure and seamless way to pay for tuition and fees in your currency of choice.

Financial Discussions

Students who need to discuss their finances, a hold on their account, veteran benefits, or have a question about their billing statement are encouraged to reach out for assistance.

Tuition Refund Policy

Students who withdraw from the University, or from one or more classes, will receive a pro-rated refund of tuition based on the following table.

Grades reflected on transcript due to dropping of a class:
- 1 Course not reflected on transcript
- 2 Grade of W will be issued for the course
- 3 A grade of F will be issued for the course

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