Cornerstone University vs Concordia Chicago
Cornerstone University and Concordia University-Chicago, both esteemed institutions of higher learning, offer distinct educational experiences. Cornerstone, a private Christian university in Grand Rapids, Michigan, boasts a higher acceptance rate (84%) compared to Concordia's 75%. Cornerstone's student body is predominantly female (60%), while Concordia's is more evenly balanced (52% female, 48% male). Concordia's student body is also more diverse, with 30% of students identifying as racial or ethnic minorities compared to Cornerstone's 15%. Both universities offer a range of popular majors, including Business, Education, and Nursing, but Concordia also excels in the Arts and Humanities. While Cornerstone has a slightly higher graduation rate (68% vs. 65%), Concordia's students tend to have higher average earnings after graduation. Explore the detailed comparison table below to discover more key differences and make an informed decision about which university aligns best with your
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![]() Concordia University-Chicago |
![]() Cornerstone University |
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Overview |
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Location | River Forest, Illinois | Grand Rapids, Michigan |
Campus setting | Suburb: Large | City: Midsize |
College type | 4 year | 4 year |
Control/business model | Private (Non Profit) | Private (Non Profit) |
Calendar system | Semester | Semester |
Degrees offered | Undergraduate and Graduate | Undergraduate and Graduate |
Students retention rate | 57.0% | 97.0% |
![]() |
Yes | Yes |
Religious affiliation | Evangelical | Interdenominational |
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Admission |
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Acceptance rate | 87.8% | 91.3% |
Application fees | $50 | |
SAT range | N/A | 970 - 1220 |
ACT range | N/A | 20 - 25 |
Students submitting SAT score | 69.0% | |
Students submitting ACT score | 36.0% | |
Total number of applicants | 5,620 | 1,923 |
Total number of admissions given out | 4,935 | 1,756 |
Admitted students who chose to enroll | 336 | 376 |
Yield rate | 6.8% | 21.4% |
Test scores (SAT/ACT) | N/A | N/A |
High school GPA | Required | Required |
Recommendation letters | Not required | Not required |
High school transcript | Not required | Not required |
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL) | Required | Required |
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Tuition and Fees |
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Sticker price | $44,860 | $41,010 |
Average net price | $18,817 | $20,780 |
Tuition | $33,310 | $27,040 |
Room & board |
Room/dormitory:
$6,550
Meal plan:
$3,880
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$10,310 |
Available payment plans |
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Financial Aid |
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Students receiving financial aid
(Grants & scholarships) |
99.0%
Average amount $23,508 |
99.0%
Average amount $16,518 |
Students receiving federal student loan |
64.0%
Average amount $4,744 |
63.0%
Average amount $6,916 |
Students taking out private loans |
7.0%
Average amount $11,395 |
12.0%
Average amount $11,888 |
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Students and Campus |
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Undergraduate students |
1,438
Men 43.3% Women 56.7% |
1,507
Men 38.7% Women 61.3% |
Graduate students |
4,648
Men 32.1% Women 67.9% |
423
Men 45.6% Women 54.4% |
Racial/ethnic diversity |
Moderate
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Low
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Out-of-state students | 38.4% | N/A |
International students | 2.7% | 6.2% |
Campus local/setting | Suburb: Large | City: Midsize |
Dormitory capacity | 726 | 780 |
First year students are required to live on campus? | No | No |
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from | Illinois Missouri Indiana Michigan Florida | N/A |
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Academics |
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Popular study areas |
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Students to faculty ratio | 13:1 | 15:1 |
Institutional accreditation | Higher Learning Commission | Higher Learning Commission |
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Outcome |
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Graduation rate | 42.8% | 59.0% |
Dropout rate | 14.0% | 41.0% |
Transferred out | 43.2% | N/A |
Alumni salary by major (Top 10) |
Educational Administration and Supervision (Doctoral Degrees)
Educational Administration and Supervision (Graduate/Professional Certificates)
Health and Medical Administrative Services (Master's Degrees)
Educational Administration and Supervision (Master's Degrees)
Educational/Instructional Media Design (Master's Degrees)
Student Counseling and Personnel Services (Master's Degrees)
Special Education and Teaching (Master's Degrees)
Curriculum and Instruction (Master's Degrees)
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas (Master's Degrees)
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees)
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Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees)
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Bachelor's Degrees)
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas (Bachelor's Degrees)
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods (Bachelor's Degrees)
Psychology, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities (Bachelor's Degrees)
Communication and Media Studies (Bachelor's Degrees)
Radio, Television, and Digital Communication (Bachelor's Degrees)
Curriculum and Instruction (Master's Degrees)
Health and Physical Education/Fitness (Bachelor's Degrees)
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