Concordia lauded for financial stability

Over the last year, the pandemic has had an impact on higher education across the world. From holding classes strictly online, to students transferring to be closer to home and everything in between, higher education institutions have felt some sort of a financial effect from the pandemic.

Recently, Forbes examined the financial health and operating strength of 921 U.S. private higher education institutions with more than 500 full-time students on their financial situations, and provided grades for each institution. Most of Forbes’ calculations utilized the federal government’s National Center for Education Statistics, whose most recent data is from 2018 and 2019.

Forbes noted Concordia University, Nebraska as one of the 10 colleges that had most improved its financial grade compared to 2016. This year, Concordia received a B grade, up from its grade of C in 2016.

“Our grades give a prepandemic snapshot of private college financial health,” the article reads. “Virtually all schools have experienced deteriorating financial results in the last 12 months.”

During this same time frame, Concordia has been in the midst of Answering The Call, the University’s largest-ever fundraising campaign. With a goal of $65 million, Concordia has received generous gifts and pledges from more than 10,700 donors totaling more than $86.9 million as of February 28, 2021. The campaign, set to end on June 30, is resourcing four key initiatives—Science and Business, Agriculture, For the Church and Our Promises of a Lutheran Education—with funds to support student scholarships, capital projects, university programs, and endowment.

The University’s annual Day of Giving will take place Thursday, March 25, as a way for alumni and friends to engage with Concordia’s students through social media and various many virtual events.