Augustana University
#7 Best Bachelor's Programs in South Dakota- Graduation Rate
- 74% B
- Solid completion rate — most students graduate
- Earnings (10yr)
- $59,217 B+
- Well above the typical college graduate
- Net Price
- $23,894 D
- 39% more than the typical college
- Acceptance Rate
- 68% B-
- Accessible to most qualified applicants
Bottom line: A C+ overall grade — average outcomes for a U.S. college. 15.3× return on investment — every $1 spent returns $15.3 over 20 years. Ranked #7 in Best Bachelor's Programs in South Dakota.
Every $1 spent returns $15.3 over 20 years — debt pays back in ~under a year. Net gain: $1,366,801.
What The Data Says
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A C+ overall — outcomes trail most U.S. colleges on measured metrics.
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Earnings 45% above the national college median.
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A 74% graduation rate — 30% above the national average.
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Every $1 invested returns $15.3 over 20 years — an exceptional return.
Why Augustana University Matters
Augustana University is a private university in Sioux Falls, SD and its outcomes are not an accident. They are driven by a well-connected, high-opportunity alumni network. The result: graduate earnings well above the typical college.
Interpretation generated from this school's federal outcomes, research, and mobility data.
Institutional Profile
- Institution Type
- Private University
- Carnegie Class
- Master's University
- Enrollment
- 1,965
- Setting
- Urban
- Designations
- 39
- Primary Strengths
- Health Professions, Biology & Biomedical, Business & Marketing, Education
Why students choose Augustana University
CollegeRanker Report Card
Graded on outcomes, against every U.S. college.
Each grade is this school's national percentile on a real outcome — earnings, value, mobility, and more.
How we grade →Admissions
Competitive — admits about 68% of applicants, with a middle-50% SAT of 1150–1370. Run your numbers in the admissions predictor below.
Check your odds →Net price + aid
Students pay about $23,894 a year after grants and scholarships — 39% above the typical U.S. college. See net price by family income below.
See cost & aid →Earnings + debt
Graduates earn a median of $59,217 ten years after enrolling — 45% above the typical college, against $25,000 in median debt.
See outcomes →Mobility + social capital
Strong cross-class social capital — an economic-connectedness score of 1.79 (Opportunity Insights).
See mobility →Overview
With an enrollment of about 1,965 students, Augustana University in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, is an inviting place for those seeking a close-knit academic community. The school shines particularly in areas like Business & Marketing, Biology & Biomedical, Health Professions, Education, and Psychology. If you’re passionate about these subjects, you’ll find a supportive environment where you can dive deep into your interests and collaborate with peers who share your ambitions.
After graduation, students see a median earning of $59,217 within ten years, which is a solid starting point for many. This figure suggests that graduates often find themselves in stable positions that allow for upward mobility. The affordability factor plays a role too; with a net price of $23,894 after aid, it’s relatively accessible for a private institution. This balance of cost and potential earnings helps graduates feel more secure as they transition into the workforce.
When considering the practical aspects, the median debt sits at $25,000, which is manageable for many students. Augustana tends to attract individuals who thrive in small classes and appreciate a personalized education approach. Those who are proactive and engaged in their studies often find that the supportive community and dedicated faculty help them achieve their goals, both academically and professionally.
Rankings
Can I Get In?
How selective Augustana University is — and how your numbers stack up.
Tool
Will I Be Accepted?
Enter your credentials to see your chances at this school.
Academics & Admissions
Is It Hard to Get Into Augustana University? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Augustana University, located in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, offers a realistic path to admission, with roughly 68% of applicants receiving an offer. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,195. The graduation rate is roughly 74%.
- Acceptance Rate
- 68%
- Retention Rate
- 86%
- SAT Average
- 1195
- ACT Midpoint
- 25
- SAT Range
- 1150–1370
- ACT Range
- 21–27
- Full-Time Faculty
- 60%
- Faculty Salary (mo)
- $6,324
- Student–Faculty Ratio
- 12:1
- Diversity Index
- 0.45
- First-Gen Students
- 14%
- Applicants
- 3,145
- Admitted
- 2,069
Inside the Admissions Office
School-reported Common Data Set · 2025-26
The acceptance rate tells you how hard Augustana University is to get into. Its Common Data Set tells you what happens once you are admitted: how many students say yes, how many arrived without test scores, and whether applying early tilts the odds. 41% of admitted students go on to enroll here, making it a school many admits weigh against other offers.
- Yield Rate
- 41%
- of admits enroll
- Submitted SAT
- 7%
- of enrolled freshmen
- Submitted ACT
- 53%
- of enrolled freshmen
Test-optional, in practice. Only about 60% of enrolled freshmen submitted an SAT or ACT score, so a strong application without test scores is genuinely competitive here, not a long shot.
Can I Afford It?
What you'll actually pay after grants and aid — not the sticker price.
Cost & Financial Aid
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Augustana University? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Augustana University is $40,160, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $23,894. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $18,746 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $25,000 in federal student loans.
- In-State Tuition
- $40,160
- Out-of-State
- $40,160
- Avg Net Price
- $23,894
- Median Debt
- $25,000
- Pell Grant Rate
- 18%
- Federal Loan Rate
- 52%
What Families Actually Pay
- Family Income $0–$30K
- $18,746
- Family Income $30K–$48K
- $18,895
- Family Income $48K–$75K
- $17,937
- Family Income $110K+
- $27,327
What Happens After?
Earnings, debt, and where graduates actually land.
Students Like You
Tell us a little about yourself to see what students like you have typically experienced at Augustana University — the net price for your income, your admission odds, and the outcomes that follow. These are patterns from federal data, not predictions.
Graduate Outcomes
Is Augustana University Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Augustana University earn a median of $59,217, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
- 6 Years After Entry
- $49,826
- 8 Years
- $53,484
- 10 Years
- $59,217
- Debt-to-Earnings
- 0.42x
- Earning > $25K
- 77%
Earnings Trajectory
Graduation by Timeframe
- 100% (222)
- 56%
- 100% (222)
- 56%
- 100% (222)
- 56%
- 100% (222)
- 56%
How Augustana Compares
Dot right of center = above national average.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after aid, by income bracket.
College ROI Calculator
Is Augustana University Worth It?
A data-driven look at the return on your educational investment — using real federal data.
Yes — for most students, Augustana University delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $23,894/year ($95,576 total). Graduates earn $59,217 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $1,462,377 in total earnings — a net gain of $1,366,801 (15.3× your investment). The median debt is $25,000, which takes less than a year to pay back at typical earnings. With a 74% graduation rate, the path to that return is well-tested. This is a exceptional ROI compared to national averages.
- Total Cost (4yr)
- $95,576
- Projected 20yr Earnings
- $1,462,377
- Net Return
- $1,366,801
- ROI Multiple
- 15.3×
- Cost Per Year
- $23,894
- Median Debt
- $25,000
- Debt Payback
- Less than 1 yr
- Graduation Rate
- 74%
Does It Change Lives?
Mobility, social capital, and innovation — does it move people up?
Institutional Finances
Data: NCES IPEDS
- Federal Grants
- $5,669,397
- Investment Income
- $-6,299,576
Top Programs
The fields Augustana University awards the most degrees in, by share of completions. Where federal field-of-study data exists, we show what graduates in that major earned early in their careers. Each links to its degree guide — or see what someone with your income, scores, and major would pay and earn here in the Students Like You simulator.
- Health Professions 20% $68,587 early-career
- Biology & Biomedical 19% $35,271 early-career
- Business & Marketing 17% $53,072 early-career
- Education 6% $51,598 early-career
- Social Sciences 6% $55,382 early-career
- Psychology 5% $37,845 early-career
- Computer Science & IT 4%
- Visual & Performing Arts 4%
Early-career median earnings by major (typically 1–2 years after completion, bachelor's level where available), in today's dollars (CPI-adjusted). Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard field of study. Distinct from the school-wide 10-year median; suppressed for small programs.
Top Careers
Where these majors tend to lead — common career paths for Augustana University's most popular programs, ranked by median pay with our proprietary scorecard insights.
- CChief Executive Officer$189,520 · 3% growthAdaptable 64
- C+IT Manager$169,510 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- C+Cloud Architect$142,000 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- B-Site Reliability Engineer$140,000 · 20% growthAdaptable 52
- CSolutions Architect$138,000 · 12% growthAdaptable 52
- CHR Manager$136,350 · 5% growthAdaptable 64
- CPharmacist$136,030 · 3% growthResilient 82
- CSales Manager$135,160 · 4% growthAdaptable 64
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Hard to Get Into Augustana University? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Augustana University, located in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, offers a realistic path to admission, with roughly 68% of applicants receiving an offer. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,195. The graduation rate is roughly 74%.
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Augustana University? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Augustana University is $40,160, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $23,894. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $18,746 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $25,000 in federal student loans.
Is Augustana University Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Augustana University earn a median of $59,217, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
How Connected Is Augustana University? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at Augustana University. Its economic connectedness score is 1.79, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.01), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 7% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Does Augustana University offer Early Decision?
No. Augustana University does not report a binding Early Decision plan (2025-26 Common Data Set).
Is Augustana University really test-optional?
In practice, yes. Only about 60% of enrolled first-year students submitted an SAT or ACT score, so a strong application without test scores is genuinely competitive at Augustana University (2025-26 Common Data Set).
What percentage of admitted students enroll at Augustana University?
About 41% of admitted students choose to enroll at Augustana University — its yield rate (2025-26 Common Data Set). Yield reflects how often a school wins when applicants weigh competing offers.
Similar Schools
Schools with similar outcomes, selectivity, and student profiles to Augustana University.
- Concordia College at MoorheadMoorhead, MN · Close peer66% grad $59,317 earn 63% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- The College of WoosterWooster, OH · Close peer74% grad $59,629 earn 60% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Vanguard University of Southern CaliforniaCosta Mesa, CA · Close peer56% grad $59,541 earn 62% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar size
- Luther CollegeDecorah, IA · Close peer73% grad $59,850 earn 72% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Saint Ambrose UniversityDavenport, IA · Close peer62% grad $59,531 earn 77% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar size
- Gustavus Adolphus CollegeSaint Peter, MN · Close peer76% grad $65,607 earn 61% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
Social Capital
Data: Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
How Connected Is Augustana University? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at Augustana University. Its economic connectedness score is 1.79, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.01), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 7% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Research Note