Concordia University Chicago named one of fastest growing colleges nationally
10/15/2011
Nov. 15, 2011—For the third consecutive year, combined undergraduate and graduate enrollment at Concordia University Chicago has exceeded 5,000 students. In its annual Almanac edition published this fall, The Chronicle of Higher Education named Concordia-Chicago the second fastest growing campus among nonprofit master’s degree granting institutions across the country.
The University’s recognition by The Chronicle of Higher Education was based on an analysis of institutions’ total headcount for both undergraduate and graduate students during the five-year period from 2004 to 2009. During this period, Concordia-Chicago’s combined enrollment grew by 146 percent from 2,056 to 5,049 total students. Graduate enrollment rose most significantly at 309 percent during this time period. Total enrollment for the current academic year is at 5,134.
“New in-demand programs at the masters and doctoral levels and a variety of instructional learning formats including cohort and on-line continue to attract increasing numbers of graduate students from across the nation and globally,” said Dr. John F. Johnson, president of Concordia University Chicago.
As more recent high school graduates select Concordia to begin their pursuit of a baccalaureate degree, undergraduate enrollment has also risen. In the most recent past five years, total undergraduate enrollment has risen 42 percent to today’s record of 1,451.
“While we are experiencing strong growth,” said Johnson. “We are very intentionally keeping our undergraduate admission at a level where we know our students will continue to have the personalized attention to which they have become accustomed, as they prepare for leadership roles in their chosen professions and vocations.”
Concordia-Chicago offers more than 70 areas of study at the undergraduate level and 39 graduate and doctoral degree programs. In addition to traditional on-campus programs for undergraduate students, working adults interested in accelerated programs may also choose online options.
Graduate students can choose from traditional in-class formats offered at the River Forest campus, off-campus models offered throughout the Chicagoland area, fully online or hybrid programs which combine online and in-class formats. New this year is a global outreach program partnering with India’s government to help establish education standards and to educate and train teachers and administrators in India through online bachelors and graduate programs.
For more information, visit www.CUChicago.edu
About Concordia University Chicago
Concordia University Chicago is a liberal arts-based Christian university in the Lutheran tradition. Through its College of Arts and Sciences, College of Business, College of Education, and College of Graduate and Innovative Programs, Concordia offers more than 100 areas of study in small classes taught by professors who are passionate about teaching and student success.
Concordia University Chicago was named as the second fastest growing campus among private nonprofit master’s institutions nationally by The Chronicle of Higher Education’s 2011 Almanac Edition. For the third consecutive year, combined undergraduate and graduate enrollment has exceeded more than 5,000 students. Concordia University Chicago is located in River Forest, 10 miles west of downtown Chicago. Learn more at www.CUChicago.edu.
CONTACT:
Sarah Hickman, Marketing Communications Specialist
708-209-3235 or Sarah.Hickman@CUChicago.edu