The school, then named the Evangelisches Lutherisches Schullehrer-Seminar (Evangelical Lutheran Teachers' Seminary), was officially dedicated on November 18, 1894.

[3] Two days later, classes began with its 13 students boarded, fed, and taught in the same building (now Founders Hall) by J. George Weller and his wife.

Throughout the early years, the local community provided support to "The German College", as it was unofficially termed, including foodstuffs, housing, and funding.

[4] With the outbreak of World War I in 1914, the school faced significant anti-German sentiment by the local populace despite Director Jesse's support as a Four Minute Man.

In a demonstration of their American pride, the school changed the language of all its classes to English and constructed a 100 ft (30 m) flagpole, said to be the tallest in the county.

The school was named Concordia Teacher's College, reflecting the largest program until the addition of liberal arts majors in the 1970s.

The university grew and expanded its programs, including science labs, a large library, and multiple residence halls.

Throughout the 2000s, despite the growth of secular studies, the church-work programs continued to flourish with Concordia having graduated nearly 30% of LCMS church workers by 2019.

[17] The main campus is 85 acres (34 ha) in the town of Seward, Nebraska, with over 11 academic and administration buildings and 11 residence halls.

Students are expected to uphold biblical practices in line with LCMS doctrine including sexual relations between heterosexual, married couples.

The Student Activity Committee (SAC) organizes concerts, comedy shows, free movies, bowling nights and the popular Spring Weekend.

The Marxhausen Gallery also intermittently hosts visiting artists from around the country who give presentations and display their art.

[25] Concordia University's handbook prohibits "active involvement in a homosexual lifestyle" and specifies disciplinary action against students breaking this rule.

[26] Concordia previously published a journal, Issues in Christian Education, that often contained writing about the sinful nature of homosexuality.

Concordia Nebraska's teams use the newly constructed Walz Human Performance Complex, Bulldog Stadium, and Plum Creek Park baseball and softball fields for competitions.

Throughout the history of CIT, Concordia Nebraska holds the best aggregate record in both the men's and women's tournaments.