Concordia University Wisconsin is the second-highest-ranked private institution in Wisconsin, according to the 2027 U.S. News & World Report National Universities rankings. CUW ranks No. 4 among all national universities in Wisconsin, with only one private institution ranking higher.
The university also climbed 30 spots to No. 299 among national universities and ranks No. 142 among private universities.
President Erik Ankerberg acknowledged the rise in the rankings but said they are only one measure of the work happening across the university.
“The ranking is an encouraging external validation of the work we see happening across this campus every day,” he said. “But rankings are only one way of looking at a university. What matters most is the education we provide, the opportunities we create for our students and the impact our graduates have in the communities they serve.”
Gaining breadth without losing identity
The rankings reflect a university with an increasingly broad academic reach while maintaining the Lutheran identity at the heart of its mission.
Students come from 49 states and 23 countries to attend a university that offers more than 70 undergraduate programs, more than 30 master’s programs and eight doctoral programs.
CUW continues to expand opportunities in the health professions while building new academic partnerships. Its partnership with Idaho College of Osteopathic Medicine creates pathways for qualified students pursuing medical education and includes plans for an ICOM instructional site on the campus, contingent on accreditation.
Faculty scholarship and research continue across disciplines, while partnerships with schools, churches, healthcare organizations and businesses extend Concordia’s reach beyond campus.
The larger story is not simply one of growth. It is about expanding academic opportunities while maintaining a commitment to excellence and Concordia’s Lutheran identity.
Deep roots and a growing reach
Concordia’s roots remain central to its identity. The university continues to serve students and communities throughout the state through partnerships with schools, churches, employers and other organizations.
At the same time, CUW’s graduate programs, research activity and health professions programs are extending its reach. Doctoral programs, graduate education and partnerships in healthcare position the university to serve students and communities in new ways.
None of that guarantees a higher ranking next year. Rankings and methodologies change. What the latest results show is where Concordia stands today, even as the university remains focused on its Lutheran mission.
Finding the right fit
Each year, students choose Concordia for reasons that extend beyond rankings. For some, it is the university’s Christ-centered, confessional Lutheran identity. For others, it is particular academic programs, career pathways, athletics, fine arts opportunities or student organizations.
For many, it is the combination of those things within a close-knit university community.
Senior Jenna Piwowarczyk, who is majoring in politics, philosophy and economics, said her experience at Concordia has shaped several areas of her life.
“It’s no surprise to me that Concordia University Wisconsin continues to flourish and climb the rankings,” Piwowarczyk said. “Since coming to Concordia, I have grown in every aspect of my life: faith, academics, social life and even physical health. All of my classes offer discussion and one-on-one work with astounding professors, so I always feel set up to succeed. Faith on campus guides the strong community among students and gives each person the chance to grow in their own way. It’s been one of the best decisions of my life!”
U.S. News considers factors including graduation and retention, academic reputation, faculty and financial resources, graduate earnings and research when compiling its Best Colleges rankings.
Those measures can provide useful context, but they cannot capture every factor that shapes a student’s college experience. Choosing a college is about finding a place that fits who students are and helps prepare them for who God has called them to be. That is something a national ranking cannot fully measure.
At Concordia, the goal is not simply to move higher on a list. The university is committed to helping students develop in mind, body and spirit for service to Christ in the Church and the world. That mission is lived out through strong academics, meaningful experiences and preparation for lives of vocation and service.
For a Lutheran university with deep Wisconsin roots and an expanding academic portfolio, moving 30 places in the rankings marks an important moment. But Concordia’s greater measure of success remains what happens beyond the rankings: how students grow during their time at the university and how they use their education in service to Christ, the Church and the world.
Lead. Teach. Serve.
In the news: CUW’s rise in the U.S. News & World Report rankings has also drawn attention from local media. The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Milwaukee Business Journal and KDHL Radio have reported on Concordia’s movement in the latest rankings.
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Concordia University Wisconsin is a Lutheran higher education community committed to helping students develop in mind, body and spirit for service to Christ in the Church and the world.