Students at Augustana University achieve earnings that consistently place the institution among the top performers nationally, with graduates earning nearly $60,000 ten years after enrollment.
The university's focused programs in nursing and business, combined with personalized attention, create pathways to stable, well-compensated careers.
Augustana University delivers strong long-term financial outcomes within a small, private college setting in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. With median 10-year earnings of $59,217, graduates achieve results that place the institution in the top 20% nationally for earnings performance among similar colleges. The university serves a selective student body, with only 16% of students receiving Pell Grants, reflecting its position as what mobility researchers call a "Selective Achiever" — an institution that produces strong outcomes but serves a more affluent student population.
The university's strength lies in its focused academic programs and personalized approach to education. Nursing stands out as both the largest program and highest-earning field, with 80 graduates earning a median of $57,724 ten years out. Business Administration, the second-largest program with 57 graduates, provides solid career preparation with median earnings of $44,666. This combination of program focus and individual attention helps explain why Augustana graduates consistently outperform many peers in long-term career success.
As a small private university, Augustana offers the intimate educational experience that many families seek, combined with career outcomes that justify the investment. The university's location in South Dakota's largest city provides access to regional employers while maintaining the close-knit community feel that defines the Augustana experience.
Augustana University's program portfolio reflects a strategic focus on fields that combine strong career prospects with the university's mission of personalized education. Adult Health Nursing dominates both in scale and outcomes, graduating 80 students with median earnings of $57,724 — making it the clear economic engine of the institution. This program's success reflects both the strong demand for healthcare professionals and Augustana's ability to provide the clinical training and professional preparation that employers value.
Business Administration and Management serves as the university's second pillar, graduating 57 students with median earnings of $44,666. While earnings are more moderate than nursing, the program provides versatile career preparation that opens doors across industries and geographic regions. Exercise Science and Kinesiology, though smaller with 38 graduates, demonstrates Augustana's commitment to health-related fields, with graduates earning $39,009 in a field that often serves as preparation for advanced study or specialized certifications.
This program mix reflects Augustana's understanding of regional workforce needs and student interests. The concentration in nursing and health-related fields aligns with growing healthcare demands, while business provides the foundational skills that translate across career paths. The university's small size allows for intensive mentoring and hands-on learning that helps students maximize their potential in these focused areas of study.
Augustana University graduates achieve strong long-term earnings that reflect the value of a focused, private college education. Ten years after enrollment, graduates earn a median of $59,217, placing the university in the top 20% nationally for earnings outcomes. This performance demonstrates how a small, personalized educational environment can translate into meaningful career success across multiple fields.
The university's program portfolio drives much of this success through concentrated strength in high-demand fields. Adult Health Nursing leads both in scale and outcomes, graduating 80 students with median earnings of $57,724 — a combination that makes it the institution's economic engine. Business Administration and Management, with 57 graduates earning $44,666, provides the second-largest pathway to career success. Exercise Science and Kinesiology, while smaller with 38 graduates, still delivers competitive outcomes at $39,009, showing the breadth of Augustana's career preparation.
What makes these outcomes particularly impressive is how they reflect the university's ability to prepare students for stable, well-compensated careers in essential fields. Nursing graduates enter a profession with strong job security and growth prospects, while business majors gain skills that translate across industries. The consistent performance across programs suggests that Augustana's small size and personalized attention create an environment where students can maximize their potential regardless of their chosen field.
Augustana University requires a significant financial commitment, with net prices that reflect its private college positioning. Low-income families pay approximately $20,552 annually, while middle-income families see costs around $22,479, and higher-income families pay about $26,388. These prices place Augustana in the lower third nationally for affordability, reflecting the premium associated with small, private college education.
The university's financial aid approach focuses on making education accessible to students who can benefit most from its personalized environment. With relatively modest variation in net price across income levels, Augustana maintains a consistent pricing structure that helps families plan for the full cost of education. The university's 16% Pell share indicates it primarily serves families with greater financial resources, which aligns with its positioning as a selective private institution.
Despite higher upfront costs, the investment often proves worthwhile given graduate outcomes. Students typically borrow $25,000 in federal loans, a manageable amount relative to the $59,217 median earnings achieved ten years out. Parent PLUS borrowing averages $21,373, reflecting family investment in an education that consistently delivers strong career preparation and long-term financial returns.
Augustana University Hub Overview
Executive summary with admissions, cost, outcomes, and program analysis
