CSP led the nation with a groundbreaking tuition reset in 2013 - and is now the first to do it twice. The new 2027 listed tuition rate will be dollar-for-dollar the same as in 2006, giving students a greater return on their total college investment.
SAINT PAUL, Minn., Sept. 9, 2026 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- Concordia University, St. Paul (CSP), today announced it will lower traditional undergraduate tuition by $5,500 for the 2027-28 academic year, reducing its listed price to $21,700. The 20 percent reduction in tuition for traditional undergraduate programs underscores the university's commitment to making a college education affordable and accessible for more students. It also puts tuition at CSP on par with many Minnesota public universities.
When implemented next year, the tuition price will match the university's 2006 rate. When adjusting for inflation, a 2027-28 CSP education will ultimately cost approximately 40 percent less than what it did at that same point in time. The end result helps reduce the amount of debt a student may have upon graduation, keeping more dollars in their pockets. Tuition costs and anticipated debt after graduation are key drivers that keep many prospective students from enrolling in college. Keeping tuition prices low helps eliminate the sticker shock that prevents students from enrolling, and enables their financial aid to go further, helping them finish college on a stronger financial footing.
"Resetting our tuition for the second time opens the door for more students to access higher education," says the Rev. Dr. Brian Friedrich, President of Concordia University, St. Paul. "CSP has long championed new programs and initiatives that keep students first, and today is another step in that journey. We know that affordability is the number one issue confronting students and families as they consider whether or not to pursue a college degree. We also know that a Christ-centered Lutheran education changes the lives of our students and their families, and wherever our graduates go, they touch the lives of countless people within their workplaces and communities, leading with knowledge, integrity, wisdom, and compassion."
Concordia's first reset in 2013 lowered tuition by one-third. In the decade-plus that followed, enrollment at CSP grew by 87 percent, even as enrollment across Minnesota's private colleges fell by 18 percent. Concordia has essentially doubled in size, now serving more than 7,000 unique learners annually. Today, CSP stands as Minnesota's second-largest private university and the nation's largest Lutheran university. The first reset also resulted in improved student retention, a 13-point increase in four-year graduation rates, and an 18 percent reduction in student debt upon graduation.
How a Reset is Possible
The Tuition Reset 2.0 is feasible due to CSP's enrollment growth, diversified revenue streams, and strategic financial decisions. Concordia has expanded its footprint through CSP Global, offering career-focused, flexible undergraduate and graduate programs from three national locations in St. Paul, Portland, and Denver, as well as fully online. This growth, partnered with fiscal responsibility, has allowed CSP to address and reverse rising tuition costs without sacrificing value.
"Students invest in their education expecting a return, and our job is to protect that investment on both ends. We lower the price through operational and financial discipline, and we back it with degrees built for careers," noted Dr. Eric LaMott, provost and chief operating officer. "Concordia graduates reach a 98 percent career outcomes rate within nine months and earn 13 percent above the national median. The strength of our model is what lets us bring that value to more students, which is proven in consistent record-setting enrollment."
"Students are truly the epicenter of all that we do at Concordia University, St. Paul, and that mindset drives every business decision we make," noted Dr. Kimberly Craig, vice provost for CSP Global. "We continually review all programs for their effectiveness and ability to support our students' career goals. Our faculty work hard to modernize and adapt the curriculum to stay current with market demands. And we provide student-focused career support and a career portfolio to help propel them into the workforce. Ultimately, the Tuition Reset is another way we help students enter the workforce with a high-value degree at a lower cost, which ultimately changes lives for the better."
National Trends
The move comes as published tuition climbs across the country and confidence in college pricing erodes. A 2025 Strada Education Foundation study found that 77 percent of Americans believe college is unaffordable, largely because sticker prices have become disconnected from what students actually pay. Concordia addresses that directly by publishing a price close to what families will pay and showing them plainly what a degree costs.
The value behind the lower price is documented. Concordia has ranked among the top institutions in Minnesota and nationally for social mobility, is one of the state's leading Pell-eligible private universities, and is now the lowest-cost private university in Minnesota. After the reset, the total cost of attendance will be on par with that of the University of Minnesota's Twin Cities campus. Concordia's academic breadth spans more than 100 accredited programs, from bachelor's through doctorate, including Minnesota's first accredited 90-credit, three-year bachelor's degrees.
The reset takes effect for the 2027-28 academic year and applies to new and returning undergraduate traditional students.
About Concordia University, St. Paul
Founded in 1893, Concordia University, St. Paul is a private Lutheran university that offers academic programs that are responsive to students' needs and relevant to the demands of the job market. One of Minnesota's most affordable private universities, Concordia St. Paul has a student body of approximately 5,800 undergraduate and graduate students representing 49 states, 2 U.S. territories, and 35 countries. For more information, please visit csp.edu.
Media Contact
Joe Thornton, AIMCLEAR, 1 (612) 355-9692, [email protected], www.aimclear.com
SOURCE Concordia University, St. Paul
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