Concordia University Chicago is a Christ-centered Lutheran university where truth, freedom, and vocation form students for lives of influence and service for the common good. Concordia-Chicago, conveniently located in the tree-lined suburb of River Forest, IL, has been named a Christian College of Distinction every year for more than a decade, and is consistently ranked among U.S. News & World Report’s Best Regional Universities in the Midwest.
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About Us
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Lutheran Faith
As a private, liberal-arts based university, Concordia University Chicago’s vibrant, engaging academic community is designed to help students reach their full potential. CUC cultivates within each of its students the ideals of a Christian life with Jesus Christ at the center of all they do. Concordia-Chicago students are inspired to make a difference in the lives of others and meet the needs of the world in which they live, serve and work.
Founded in 1864 as Addison Lutheran Teachers Seminary, today CUC is a comprehensive university with more than 6,000 full-time students enrolled in undergraduate, master’s and doctoral study. Affiliated with the Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS), the University is one of eight colleges and universities that are part of a nationwide Concordia University System.
Professors at Concordia-Chicago provide personalized mentoring and support. Faculty and staff are committed to helping students identify their career interests, master the requirements to enter or advance in their desired professional field, and establish connections to launch them on their way. Browse through our more than 160 areas of study at CUChicago.edu/academics/degrees-and-programs.
CUC students explore a variety of academic disciplines, grow in their faith development, and gain 21st-century knowledge and skills. The University is committed to providing a quality, affordable education. In 2020, Concordia-Chicago was named among the Best Regional Universities–Midwest by U.S. News & World Report, and was listed on Money.com’s “Best Colleges for Your Money.” More information about tuition and financial aid can be found at CUChicago.edu/admission-aid.
Faithfulness to Lutheran identity, commitment to vocation, dedication to providing a transformational education within the context of high-quality academic programs, along with close proximity to Chicago, all combine to make CUC an ideal destination for students locally, nationally and from around the world.
Truth. Freedom. Vocation.
Concordia University Chicago is a Lutheran university—a place where the Gospel lives and forms our students, a place where students engage important questions and Truth, and a place where students discover their vocations. Our meaningful work is to help them discover their God-given talents and gifts and determine how best to carry them out into the world to serve others.
Concordia University Chicago has followed a motto that has served it well throughout its history: You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free (John 8:32 ESV). What makes us truly free is our commitment to providing students with a transformative educational experience that is grounded in truth, freedom and vocation.
The CUC community treats all people as precious individuals; they are valuable people—human beings—made in the image of God. Join a community where students are inspired, challenged and appreciated for their contributions. We encourage students to incorporate their spiritual journey into all areas of their lives, and in keeping with the tenets of the LCMS, people of all faith traditions are welcome here.
CUC takes seriously its responsibility to guide students as they answer three fundamental questions:
• Who am I?
• What kind of education do I want to pursue?
• How will I carry that education out into the world to serve God and my neighbor?
Service to others is integral to the educational experience, and our students leave the University with a deep understanding of and passion for service leadership. Our curricular and co-curricular programs also place a primary emphasis on nurturing a deep sense of vocation—a calling to serve both God and others.
Learn more about our commitment to higher education, rooted in the Gospel, at CUChicago.edu/about-us/mission-vision-and-values.