

Moorhead, MNprivate nonprofitconcordiacollege.edu
Admit rate has ranged 58%–72% over the last 5 years — notably volatile. Source: IPEDS via Urban Institute.
Acceptance & SAT from Common Data Set / IPEDS; net price, earnings & graduation from the U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard. Figures lag ~1–2 years — verify with the school.
Concordia College at Moorhead is a small, Lutheran-affiliated liberal arts college where nearly two-thirds of students live on campus, music ensembles outnumber varsity sports teams, and pre-professional programs like nursing and business thrive alongside a strong liberal arts core. With a 12:1 student-faculty ratio and a 63% acceptance rate, it offers a tight-knit, purpose-driven community where 91% of pre-med applicants get into medical school and every student receives at least $13,000 in annual scholarships.
Test-optional — scores considered if submitted
Source: IPEDS Admissions survey (2022) via Urban Institute. Covers formal factors only — it does not reflect essays, extracurriculars, or other holistic criteria.
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Outcomes & value
Median earnings by field of study (highest credential), ~2 years after completion.
Campus & location
On-campus criminal offenses classed as violent (murder/non-negligent manslaughter, rape, robbery, aggravated assault) for the most recent reported year. Source: U.S. Dept. of Education Campus Safety and Security (Clery Act). Counts reflect what’s reported to the school, and urban campuses often report more partly due to non-student incidents nearby — read alongside campus size and setting, not as a standalone safety verdict.
Pleasant days counts days per year with a mean temperature of 55–75°F, a high at or below 90°F, a low at or above 45°F, and little precipitation — a transparent comfort measure, not a weighting we invented. Computed from Open-Meteo ERA5 daily history (2019–2023). Natural-hazard risk is the county’s composite rating from the FEMA National Risk Index.
Concordia College admits about 63% of applicants, making it moderately selective. The middle 50% of admitted students have ACT scores between 21-26 and an average high school GPA of 3.58. While SAT scores range from 1020–1270 for the middle 50%, the college appears Test-optionalA policy where you choose whether to submit SAT or ACT scores. If you don't, the rest of your application carries more weight. as some sources note 'N/A' for SAT ranges. Notably, 65% of students live on campus, reinforcing the residential college vibe.
Earnings = median of students working ~10 years after entry; debt = median of graduates. Value divides 10-yr earnings by one year’s net price — read it as earnings per dollar of annual cost, not a full lifetime ROI; it favors lower-cost schools. Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard. Figures lag ~2 years and reflect all students, not your intended major.
Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard (field-of-study earnings). Figures cover graduates who received federal aid and lag ~2 years; not all programs report data.
With a 12:1 student-faculty ratio and 53.3% of classes under 20 students, Concordia emphasizes close faculty interaction. The college offers 140+ undergraduate and graduate programs, with business administration, biology, and nursing among the most popular. All students complete two signature integrative learning experiences, blending Lutheran traditions with liberal arts rigor. The curriculum requires courses in health, communication, religion, and culture, ensuring breadth alongside major specialization.
Campus life revolves around Concordia's 90+ student clubs, 20 major music ensembles (including the famed Concordia Choir), and 22 NCAA Division III sports teams. The college mandates on-campus living for 65% of students across six residence halls, fostering community. Traditions like Christmas concerts and Cobber athletics (their mascot is a corncob-wielding 'Cobber') anchor the calendar. The Lutheran affiliation surfaces in required religion courses but doesn't dominate social life—Niche reviews highlight active Greek life and a 'friendly, not overly religious' atmosphere.
Concordia boasts a 72% six-year graduation rate—above the national average—with particularly strong outcomes for pre-professional students: 91% medical school acceptance (100% for dental school), 81% nursing board pass rate, and 100% dietetics certification success. The 'Graduate Employment Outcomes' tool tracks alumni success, though specific salary data isn't publicly highlighted. These results reflect the college's emphasis on combining liberal arts critical thinking with career-ready skills.
Though the sticker price approaches $48,700, every student receives a scholarship ranging from $13,000-$19,000 annually. After aid, the average Net priceWhat a family actually pays after grants and scholarships are subtracted from the sticker price — usually far less than the published cost. drops to $25,488, with typical aid packages totaling $17,747. The college emphasizes affordability through its Net Price Calculator and automatic scholarship consideration for applicants. This approach—combining guaranteed aid with transparent cost breakdowns—helps demystify financing for families.
Concordia carves a distinct niche as a Lutheran liberal arts college where music is as central as athletics (20 ensembles vs. 22 sports teams), pre-meds thrive (91% med school acceptance), and every student gets at least $13K in scholarships. Its 12:1 ratio and required integrative projects ensure faculty mentorship beyond the lecture hall. The 'Cobber' identity—rooted in Midwest humility and cornfield humor—shapes a community that's serious about learning but doesn't take itself too seriously. For students seeking a purpose-driven, residential liberal arts experience with strong professional outcomes, it's a compelling option.