Students at Concordia University-Irvine achieve notably strong earnings outcomes that place the institution among the top performers nationally for long-term financial success.
Graduates consistently earn well above typical levels, reflecting the university's effective career preparation and strategic location in Southern California's dynamic job market.
Concordia University-Irvine is a small private nonprofit institution that delivers notably strong earnings outcomes for its graduates. While the university serves a more selective student population with limited access for low-income students, it consistently produces graduates who earn well above typical levels for similar institutions. Ten years after enrollment, graduates earn a median of $65,083, placing the university in the 80th percentile nationally for long-term earnings.
The university's strength lies in its ability to prepare students for well-paying careers, particularly in nursing and business fields. With just over 2,000 students, Concordia-Irvine offers the personalized attention of a small college while maintaining strong connections to Southern California's robust job market. The institution falls into the "Selective Achievers" category, meaning it delivers excellent outcomes for the students it serves, though access remains limited for Pell-eligible students.
As a private Christian university in Orange County, Concordia-Irvine combines faith-based education with practical career preparation. The university's location in Irvine provides access to one of California's most dynamic economic regions, contributing to the strong employment prospects and earnings outcomes that characterize the institution's graduates.
Concordia University-Irvine's program portfolio emphasizes professional fields that connect directly to career opportunities in Southern California's diverse economy. The Adult Health Nursing program represents the university's strongest financial performer, graduating 105 students annually with median earnings of $86,202 ten years after graduation. This program combines substantial enrollment with excellent pay outcomes, making it the institution's highest aggregate return major and reflecting the strong demand for healthcare professionals in the region.
Business Administration serves as the university's largest program, graduating 87 students with median earnings of $41,406. While these earnings are more moderate than nursing, the program provides broad career flexibility and access to Orange County's extensive business community. The university's focus on practical, professionally-oriented programs helps ensure that graduates can navigate Southern California's competitive job market and high cost of living.
As a smaller institution, Concordia-Irvine maintains focused program offerings that emphasize quality over quantity. The university's concentrated approach allows for personalized attention and strong faculty-student relationships, contributing to the career preparation that helps graduates achieve above-average earnings outcomes across multiple fields of study.
Graduates of Concordia University-Irvine achieve strong long-term financial outcomes that place the institution among the top performers nationally. Ten years after enrollment, graduates earn a median of $65,083, ranking in the 80th percentile compared with similar institutions. This solid earnings performance reflects the university's focus on career-oriented programs and its strategic location in Orange County's thriving economy.
The university's strongest financial returns come from its nursing program, which graduates 105 students annually with median earnings of $86,202 ten years out. This program represents the highest aggregate return among all majors, combining substantial enrollment with excellent pay outcomes. Business Administration, the university's largest program with 87 graduates, produces more moderate earnings of $41,406 but provides broad career flexibility across multiple industries. The university's program mix emphasizes practical, professional fields that connect directly to regional employment opportunities.
Graduates enter Southern California's high cost-of-living region, where strong earnings are essential for maintaining purchasing power. The university's focus on health sciences, business, and other professional programs helps ensure that graduates can navigate the region's expensive housing and living costs while building successful careers in one of the nation's most competitive job markets.
Affordability represents the most significant challenge for families considering Concordia University-Irvine. Low-income students face net prices of $23,532 annually, while middle-income families pay around $25,220 per year, and high-income families see costs reach $33,909. These prices place the university in the 18th percentile nationally for affordability, meaning it costs significantly more than most comparable institutions.
The university's private status and smaller size contribute to higher sticker prices, though the institution does provide some financial aid to help offset costs. For families who can manage the upfront investment, the long-term earnings outcomes help justify the higher expenses. However, the affordability challenge means that many low-income students find the university financially out of reach, contributing to the institution's lower access profile.
Despite the higher costs, the university's strong earnings outcomes and career preparation can make the investment worthwhile for families who can afford it. The combination of personalized attention, strong alumni networks, and access to Southern California's job market helps graduates achieve the earnings levels needed to manage their educational investment over time.
Concordia University-Irvine Hub Overview
Executive summary with admissions, cost, outcomes, and program analysis
