Nestled in a leafy corner of River Forest, Concordia University Chicago has the trappings of a liberal arts college: ivy-clad buildings, rigorous academics and a tradition of scholarship that goes back generations. Chapel bells toll at 11 a.m. every school day, one of many ways the university reflects the Lutheran faith of its founders.
Concordia was founded in 1864 as a college for teachers, and education is still the largest major. Today it is a comprehensive university offering more than 100 graduate and undergraduate degrees through its College of Arts and Sciences, College of Business, College of Education and College of Graduate Studies.
The student body is growing and diverse. Enrollment for fall 2019 exceeded 6,100 students: approximately 1,500 undergraduates and 4,600 graduate students, many of whom study online. Of undergraduates, nearly half are the first in their families to attend college.
For Andres Salvador, a sophomore who commutes to school from his home in Chicago, Concordia was both accessible and affordable. “The scholarship I have here at Concordia is essentially the gateway to my future, because it allows me to continue my studies while still caring for my family back at home,” he said. “Without it, I would not be able to attend this amazing school and pursue my dream of becoming a doctor.”
Beyond academics, Concordia offers a wide array of support and enrichment programs. Extracurricular programs offered include 17 NCAA Division III athletic teams, many intramurals, 11 choral and instrumental music groups, and more than 45 student clubs and organization focused on service, recreation, spiritual life and more.
To find out more about Concordia University Chicago, visit CUChicago.edu. To impact student scholarships or learn about the university’s many initiatives, visit CUChicago.edu/Give Now.
