
Saint Paul, MNprivate nonprofitcsp.edu
Admit rate has ranged 68%–98% 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 University-Saint Paul is a private Lutheran university that balances accessibility with career-focused academics, offering over 80 programs—notably in nursing, business, and kinesiology—with a pragmatic, student-centered approach. Its 18:1 student-faculty ratio and rapid admissions process cater to working adults and traditional undergraduates alike, while its urban Saint Paul location provides both campus community and city access.
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
U.S. Dept. of Education Financial Responsibility Composite Score (FY2022-23). Scale −1.0 to 3.0; ≥1.5 meets the standard. Reported for private nonprofit & for-profit institutions only — public universities are state-backed and not scored, so this is a stability signal, not a ranking.
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.
Mobility rate = the share of students who both start in the bottom household-income quintile and reach the top quintile; bottom → top is that chance conditional on starting at the bottom. Source: Opportunity Insights Mobility Report Cards (Chetty, Friedman, Saez, Turner & Yagan). Reflects 1980–82 birth cohorts, so it’s directional, not current.
Concordia-Saint Paul maintains a 79% acceptance rate, positioning it as accessible but not open-admission. The middle 50% of admitted students typically have ACT scores between 17-25 (or SAT equivalents of 1080-1310) and GPAs around 3.13, though 13% of enrollees boast GPAs above 3.75. The university emphasizes a streamlined process—no early decision, with rolling admissions until August 1—and actively recruits non-traditional students through its CSP Global initiative, which touts rapid application reviews and robust support services.
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 an 18:1 student-faculty ratio and nearly half of classes under 20 students, CSP blends small-campus attention with pragmatic degree options. Its 90-credit, three-year bachelor’s programs (versus the traditional 120 credits) cater to career-minded students, while standout departments include:
The university recently launched a career portfolio initiative, requiring all students to compile professional artifacts—résumés, project samples—before graduation. Online and hybrid options are robust, particularly for graduate students.
Only 15% of students live on campus, with most opting for off-campus housing in Saint Paul’s affordable neighborhoods. The Winget Student Life Center anchors social activity, hosting DII athletics (Golden Bears compete in the NSIC) and 30+ clubs—from ministry groups to improv comedy. Key quirks:
CSP’s 61% six-year graduation rate edges slightly above the national average for private colleges. Alumni earnings are mixed but trend upward:
The university’s career services emphasize local employer connections, with 45% of graduates remaining in the Twin Cities metro.
At $44,900 sticker price (tuition + fees + room/board), CSP undercuts many Minnesota privates. However, 99% of first-years receive aid, slashing 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. to $17,989. Key details:
The net price calculator flags hidden costs: books and supplies average $1,200/year, and health insurance is mandatory unless waived.
CSP excels at serving non-traditional students without sacrificing undergraduate community. Its three-year degrees and evening/weekend courses attract working adults, while DII sports and campus ministries retain a classic college vibe. The Lutheran affiliation manifests more in service opportunities (e.g., urban outreach programs) than rigid doctrine. For Twin Cities students seeking affordability and career alignment—especially in healthcare—it’s a pragmatic pick.