Concordia College at Moorhead Logo

Concordia College at Moorhead

Moorhead, MN | Private Nonprofit | College

Concordia College at Moorhead is a private nonprofit university in Moorhead, MN ranked #640 nationally by EDsmart, earning an overall grade of B, enrolling about 1,829 undergraduates, and with an acceptance rate near 62.6%. Students most often pursue Business Administration, Management and Operations and Accounting and Related Services.

Academically, students benefit from a 12:1 student-faculty ratio, 83.6% first-year retention, and 61.1% six-year graduation. Peer cohorts and advising networks provide scaffolding that keeps newcomers anchored during demanding semesters.

Families typically invest $24,902, about $7,904 more than the national median. EDsmart calculates return on investment at -51.6%, roughly 136.9 points below typical outcomes. Six years after enrolling, alumni report median earnings of $48,225. That's about $4,537 higher than national results. It's a compelling fit for students who appreciate an encouraging campus with room to explore.

B
Ranking
#640 of 1,942
How We Rank Schools Small campus feel
At a Glance
Ranking
#640 of 1,942 (Top 33%)
Tuition
$31,170
Net Price
$24,902
4-Year Tuition
$124,680
Acceptance Rate
62.6%
Transfer Rate
26.7%
Student Population
1,829
Student-Faculty
12:1
Graduation Rate
61.1%
Retention Rate
83.6%
6-Yr Earnings
$48,225
ROI
-51.6%

Who is Concordia College at Moorhead Best For?

A quick look at who tends to feel most at home here based on outcomes and campus context.

Students who thrive with close mentoring
Learners who value a tight-knit campus
Students valuing supportive learning environments

EDsmart Scores Summary

Overall Ranking
#640 of 1,942
Top 33% of all institutions
EDsmart Score
67.1 / 100 (national index)
Curved score (top institution = 100.0)
Value Rating
3.35 / 5
Based on ROI and outcomes
Completion
B+
#592 of 1,942
Affordability
C+
#1,594 of 1,942
Support
B+
#471 of 1,942
Career Outcomes
B+
#410 of 1,942

Concordia College at Moorhead graduates 61.1% of students within six years and keeps 83.6% of first-year students. Affordability earns a C+ compared with similar schools.

How we calculate this →

Cost & Financial Aid

Quick Answers

Can you afford it?
Depends on income
$20,950-$28,435 annual net price based on family income.
Will you graduate?
Likely
61.1% finish within six years. 44.6% complete in four years.
Will you get a job?
Highly likely
94.4% of alumni are employed within three years of leaving. Median earnings six years after entry are $48,225. Pay varies by major.
Get Your Personalized Cost Estimate

The costs shown are averages. Use Concordia College at Moorhead's net price calculator to get an estimate based on your family's financial situation.

Calculate Your Net Price →

Total Degree Cost Summary

4-Year Total Cost (Pay with Cash)
$183,768
$45,942 × 4 years
Average Total Cost (Pay with Financial Aid)
$112,059
$24,902 × 4.5 years average
Time to Degree
Average: 4.5 years | 4-Year Rate: 44.6% | 6-Year Rate: 61.1%
Most students finish in about four to five years. Four-year completion is 44.6% and six-year completion is 61.1%.

Annual Cost Comparison

Pay with Cash
$45,942
Total annual cost including tuition, books and living expenses; excluding any financial aid, grants or scholarships.
Pay with Financial Aid
$24,902
Average annual cost including tuition, books and living expenses after financial aid, grants or scholarships.

Cost of Undergraduate Attendance

Costs based on full-time, first-time degree- or certificate-seeking undergraduates.

View cost of attendance line items
Costs to Consider Price
Tuition and Fees $31,170
Books and Supplies $900
On-Campus Room and Board $12,530
On-Campus Other Expenses $3,900
Total On-Campus Cost $45,942

Tip: focus on the rows that match your living plan—commuters can swap in off-campus estimates while residential students should budget for housing, meals, and incidental fees.

Students Receiving Aid

Pell Grant
19.1%
Federal Loan
0.0%

Use these bars to gauge how many classmates rely on need-based dollars—lower Pell or loan shares may signal a wealthier student body or generous institutional grants.

EDsmart Insight: About 19.1% of Concordia College at Moorhead students receive Pell Grants — below the national average, highlighting ongoing affordability priorities.

Net Price by Family Income

Average annual net price after financial aid, based on family income. Your actual cost may vary depending on your specific financial situation.

$0 - $30,000
$20,950
Average annual cost for families earning $0-$30K
$30,001 - $48,000
$18,889
Average annual cost for families earning $30K-$48K
$48,001 - $75,000
$20,115
Average annual cost for families earning $48K-$75K
$75,001 - $110,000
$23,045
Average annual cost for families earning $75K-$110K
$110,001+
$28,435
Average annual cost for families earning $110K+

Understanding These Numbers: Net price varies significantly by income level. Net prices range from $20,950 to $28,435 depending on family income. Use Concordia College at Moorhead's net price calculator for a personalized estimate.

4-Year Total Cost Estimates:
$0-$30K families
~$94,275
$30K-$48K families
~$85,000
$48K-$75K families
~$90,518
$75K-$110K families
~$103,702
AFFORDABILITY ALERT

If your family earns $75K-$110K: Expect to pay around $23,045/year

If your family earns $110K+: Expect to pay around $28,435/year

See all income brackets →

ROI & Career Outcomes

Return on Investment
-51.6%
Based on 6-year median earnings vs. total degree cost
  • 6-Year Median Earnings $48,225
  • 10-Year Median Earnings $48,225
  • Average Years to Graduate 4.5 years
  • Average Student Debt $20,895
  • Repayment Rate (3yr) 84.9%
  • Employment Rate 94.4%

Graduate Earnings Distribution

Earnings range for Concordia College at Moorhead graduates 6 years after enrollment, showing the 25th percentile, median, and 75th percentile. This illustrates the variation in outcomes across different majors and career paths.

Graduates earn a median of $48,225 six years after enrollment — roughly 10% above the national median.
Payback Period
2.32 years
Total Degree Cost ÷ Annual Earnings

Concordia College at Moorhead vs. National Average

Comparison of key performance metrics showing how Concordia College at Moorhead's outcomes compare to the national average across earnings, graduation rates, retention, ROI, and employment. This contextualizes Concordia College at Moorhead's performance within the broader higher education landscape.

EDsmart Insight: While Concordia College at Moorhead graduates earn $48,225 median, the -51.6% ROI suggests the investment may take longer to pay off. Consider your major choice and career goals when evaluating value.

Acceptance & Selectivity

Getting In

Acceptance Rate
62.6%
Less Selective
National Average
69%
Average acceptance rate
  • SAT Evidence-Based Reading Not reported
  • SAT Math Not reported
  • SAT Writing Not reported
  • ACT Composite 21-26
  • SAT & ACT Required
  • Undergraduate Enrollment 1,829
  • Full-Time Students 95.0%
  • Part-Time Students 5.0%
  • Retention Rate 83.6%
  • Graduation Rate 61.1%
  • Student-Faculty Ratio 12:1

How to Get Into Concordia College at Moorhead

1. Meet Academic Requirements: Concordia College at Moorhead requires strong academic performance. Aim for test scores within the reported ranges and maintain a competitive GPA. Most admitted students rank in the top 10% of their high school class.

2. Build a Strong Application: Beyond test scores, focus on crafting compelling essays, securing strong letters of recommendation, and highlighting extracurricular activities that demonstrate leadership and commitment.

3. Understand Selectivity: With an acceptance rate of 62.6%, Concordia College at Moorhead is relatively open. Consider applying early decision if available, as early applicants often have higher acceptance rates.

4. Financial Planning: Review the net price calculator and financial aid options early. Many students receive significant aid, making the actual cost lower than the sticker price.

Tip: Contact the admissions office directly for the most current application requirements, deadlines, and any special programs (like early decision or early action) that might improve your chances.

EDsmart Insight: With a 62.6% acceptance rate, Concordia College at Moorhead is more accessible than highly selective schools. Meeting the test score ranges and maintaining a solid GPA significantly improves admission chances.

Academic Programs

Undergraduate Program Distribution

Breakdown of the most popular majors and fields of study among Concordia College at Moorhead undergraduates. Business Administration, Management and Operations, Biology, General, and Communication and Media Studies draw the most students.

  • Business Administration, Management and Operations 12.4%
  • Biology, General 10.2%
  • Communication and Media Studies 5.9%
  • Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods 5.5%
  • Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research & Clinical Nursing 5.5%
  • Psychology, General 4.5%
See more majors
  • Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods 4.3%
  • Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics 4.3%

Highest Earning Programs

Median earnings five years after graduation for each program. These figures help illustrate ROI by field of study and degree level.

Undergraduate Programs (Bachelor's Degrees)

  • 1. Business Administration, Management and Operations $80,836
  • 2. Accounting and Related Services $78,871
  • 3. Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research & Clinical Nursing $71,761
Show additional high-earning majors
  • 4. Mathematics $69,504
  • 5. Biology, General $65,724
  • 6. Chemistry $62,196
  • 7. Finance and Financial Management Services $59,104
  • 8. Social Work $57,260
  • 9. English Language and Literature, General $53,167
  • 10. Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas $52,263

Program Choice Matters: Undergraduate: Business Administration, Management and Operations grads earn $80,836—55% more than Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas ($52,263). Your program and degree level choice significantly impact career earnings.

Online Degrees & Distance Learning

College Scorecard reports fully online programs for Concordia College at Moorhead. Below are the most popular options based on the number of recent graduates, followed by a quick look at the breadth of online offerings by degree level.
Source: U.S. Department of Education – College Scorecard

Most Popular Online Degrees

  • Business Administration, Management and Operations (Bachelor's Degree, 63 graduates)
  • Biology, General (Bachelor's Degree, 52 graduates)
  • Communication and Media Studies (Bachelor's Degree, 30 graduates)
  • Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas (Bachelor's Degree, 28 graduates)
  • Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Bachelor's Degree, 28 graduates)

What This School Offers Online, at a Glance

College Scorecard flags the following online degree and certificate programs for this institution. Expand each credential level to view the complete list of available subjects.

Online Bachelor's Degrees (42 programs)
  • Business Administration, Management and Operations
  • Biology, General
  • Communication and Media Studies
  • Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas
  • Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing
  • Psychology, General
  • Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods
  • Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics
  • Accounting and Related Services
  • International/Global Studies
  • Chemistry
  • Finance and Financial Management Services
  • English Language and Literature, General
  • Social Work
  • Political Science and Government
  • Mathematics
  • Fine and Studio Arts
  • Music
  • Health and Physical Education/Fitness
  • Journalism
  • Computer Science
  • Neurobiology and Neurosciences
  • Museology/Museum Studies
  • History
  • Physics
  • Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft
  • Applied Mathematics
  • Sociology
  • Nutrition Sciences
  • Natural Resources Conservation and Research
  • Germanic Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics
  • Philosophy
  • International Business
  • Education, General
  • Religion/Religious Studies
  • Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities
  • East Asian Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics
  • Teaching English or French as a Second or Foreign Language
  • Natural Sciences
  • Natural Resources Management and Policy
  • Modern Greek Language and Literature
  • Astronomy and Astrophysics
Online Master's Degrees (2 programs)
  • Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas
  • Dietetics and Clinical Nutrition Services

Student Demographics

Student Population

  • Total Undergraduate Enrollment 1,829
  • Full-Time Students 95.0%
  • Part-Time Students 5.0%
  • Male Students 46.9%
  • Female Students 53.1%
  • Caucasian 75.2%
  • Asian 2.9%
  • Hispanic 5.0%
  • Black 4.6%
  • Pell Grant Recipients 19.1%

Racial & Ethnic Diversity

Undergraduate student body composition by racial and ethnic background. This reflects Concordia College at Moorhead's commitment to diversity and inclusion in admissions.

Gender Distribution

Gender breakdown of Concordia College at Moorhead's undergraduate population. The university maintains a roughly balanced gender distribution across its student body.

Graduation Rate Equity Analysis

How well does Concordia College at Moorhead support students from different economic backgrounds?

Pell Grant Recipients
50.0%
6-year graduation rate
Non-Pell Students
70.9%
6-year graduation rate
Equity Gap
20.9 pts
equity gap to monitor

What this means: Lower-income students (Pell Grant recipients) graduate at a different rate as higher-income students, indicating varying levels of institutional support for all economic backgrounds.

Compare graduation rates by race/ethnicity

Graduation Rates by Race/Ethnicity

Six-year graduation rates for different demographic groups at Concordia College at Moorhead, compared to national averages. This shows whether the institution supports all students equitably.

EDsmart Insight: The student body is 75.2% White, reflecting less racial diversity than the national average. About 19.1% receive Pell Grants, below the national average of 38%, suggesting a wealthier student body or generous institutional aid.

Graduation Rate Equity Analysis

How well does Concordia College at Moorhead support students from different economic backgrounds?

Pell Grant Recipients
50.0%
6-year graduation rate
Non-Pell Students
70.9%
6-year graduation rate
Equity Gap
20.9 pts
equity gap to monitor

What this means: Lower-income students (Pell Grant recipients) graduate at a different rate as higher-income students, indicating varying levels of institutional support for all economic backgrounds.

Compare graduation rates by race/ethnicity

Graduation Rates by Race/Ethnicity

Six-year graduation rates for different demographic groups at Concordia College at Moorhead, compared to national averages. This shows whether the institution supports all students equitably.

Our Take

Concordia College at Moorhead offers a private university experience at a regional scale, combining smaller class sizes with -51.6% ROI. Ranked #640 nationally, the institution balances personalized attention against higher costs than public alternatives.

The $24,902 annual net price is significantly higher than public universities, offset somewhat by $48,225 median earnings. With 61.1% graduating within six years and 83.6% returning for sophomore year, outcomes reflect the personalized support typical of smaller private institutions.

Private University Value: Concordia College at Moorhead's Positioning

With a B grade and #640 ranking, Concordia College at Moorhead competes in the crowded regional private university market.

The Private University Premium: At $24,902 annually, Concordia College at Moorhead charges more than public alternatives but typically offers smaller classes, more personalized advising, and tighter-knit campus communities. The 83.6% retention rate suggests students value this environment.

Who Benefits Most: Students who thrive in smaller, more intimate academic settings. Those seeking specific programs or values-based education aligned with the institution's mission. Students who receive merit scholarships that bring costs below $17,431 achieve particularly strong value.

Cost-Benefit Reality: The -51.6% ROI and $48,225 median earnings don't always justify the premium over public universities. Students paying full price should compare whether the personalized experience warrants $14,902+ in additional annual costs over state flagships.

Competitive Standing: Concordia College at Moorhead ranks #640 of 1942 institutions, with 1143 schools achieving higher ROI. For students offered substantial merit aid or seeking specific programs unavailable at public universities, the value proposition strengthens significantly.

Key Takeaways

  • 61.1% six-year graduation rate sits 1.4 points below the national 62.5% benchmark.
  • 83.6% first-year retention is 6.8 points above the national norm of 76.8%.
  • -51.6% return on investment is 136.9 points below the national 85.3% benchmark.
  • Median earnings of $48,225 run about 10% higher than national outcomes six years after enrollment.
  • Average net price of $24,902 is roughly $4,884 higher than the national median of $20,018.

Helpfulness for Students

Green Flags
  • 12:1 student-faculty ratio keeps mentorship close and courses discussion-sized.
  • 83.6% first-year retention shows students stay engaged after the first year.
  • 94.4% employment rate within three years sits 26.2 points above national outcomes.
Red Flags
  • Average net price of $24,902 is about $4,884 higher than comparable schools, so scholarship planning is key.
  • Pell participation at 19.1% trails the national share by 15.2 points, so equity work remains important.
  • Compare aid offers from nearby public universities to weigh the premium for smaller classes.
EDsmart Expert Analysis

Concordia College at Moorhead, a private nonprofit university in Moorhead, MN, secures a B grade in our latest review. It stands at #640 among 1942 schools Category results include Completion (B+), Support (B+), Career Outcomes (B+), and Affordability (C+).

Grades are assigned relative to EDsmart's national bachelor's cohort using standardized outcomes (2026 methodology); they reflect how a school compares to peers, not a fixed percentage of a raw point total.

About 83.6% of first-year students return, and roughly 61.1% finish within six years. The reported ROI is -51.6%, a figure families can weigh against cost and aid details above.

Why it matters: this snapshot shows how likely you are to stay on track academically and whether the outcomes justify the price tag. Letter grades summarize cohort-relative performance—not a single exam-style score.

EDsmart Financial Snapshot

Families pay about $24,902 on average after aid, compared with a published cost near $45,942.

Institutional and federal aid lower costs by roughly $21,040 per year.

Graduates leave with a median of $20,895 in federal loans, which lines up with national norms.

About 19.1% of students receive Pell Grants, giving a snapshot of the campus income mix.

Why it matters: lining up sticker price, aid, and typical debt helps you stress-test the budget before you commit.

EDsmart Career Snapshot

Graduates report median earnings of about $48,225 six years after entry. Compared with the national median, that's 10% higher.

Employment outcomes report about 94.4% of alumni working within three years.

The ROI comes in near -51.6%, which you can cross-check against your financial plan.

Why it matters: pairing median earnings with employment rates gives you a sense of payback time after graduation.

EDsmart Admissions Snapshot

62.6% of applicants receive offers, so preparation and fit matter.

The admissions team encourages students to highlight academic strengths through transcripts, essays, and recommendations.

Prospective students can apply early for priority review and lean on the Concordia College at Moorhead admissions site for deadlines, visit options, and counselor contacts.

Why it matters: knowing the admit rate and application expectations lets you map out testing, essays, and deadlines with less stress.

EDsmart Verdict
3.35 / 5
Value Rating - Based on affordability and career outcomes

Your Decision Toolkit

Run the Net Price Calculator
Get your personalized cost estimate
Compare with similar schools
See how Concordia College at Moorhead stacks up to alternatives
Check your major's earnings
See ROI for your specific field of study
Visit the campus
Schedule a campus tour or virtual visit
Visit Concordia College at Moorhead Website →

Similar Schools

Institutions with similar academic profiles, selectivity, and outcomes

Nearby Schools

Other campuses you might consider

Other Minnesota campuses you might consider

North Central University
Minneapolis, MN
B #693 of 1,942
University of Minnesota-Crookston
Crookston, MN
B #697 of 1,942
Winona State University
Winona, MN
B+ #551 of 1,942
Hamline University
Saint Paul, MN
B+ #532 of 1,942

Contact Information

  • AccreditationHigher Learning Commission (NCACHE)
  • Endowment$171.7M
  • Transfer Enrollment Rate26.7%

Data Source & Methodology