About Augustana College
The financial picture tells a compelling story about value. While sticker price hits $63,000, students actually pay an average of $12,437 after aid. That investment pays off with graduates earning a median $62,971 ten years out, while carrying manageable debt of $27,000. The school's generous aid means 27% of students receive institutional grants averaging $34,946. For a private liberal arts education, these numbers represent solid return on investment.
Campus life centers around Division III athletics, where 744 students compete across 24 varsity sports as Vikings. The 79% six-year graduation rate reflects the school's Lutheran values of persistence and community support. With 78% of students coming from Illinois, Augustana maintains its regional character while building a diverse student body that's 53% women and increasingly multicultural.
Academics & Faculty
Source: College Scorecard / U.S. Department of Education
- Student-to-Faculty Ratio
- 11:1
- Full-Time Faculty
- 77.4%
- Graduation Rate (4-year)
- 78.4%
- Graduation Rate (6-year)
- 79.2%
- Retention Rate
- 82.8%
- Median Earnings (10 years)
- $62,971
- Carnegie Classification
- Liberal Arts College
Popular Programs by Earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings |
|---|---|---|
| Computer Science. | Bachelor | $54,748 |
| Accounting and Related Services. | Bachelor | $54,252 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Bachelor | $47,148 |
| International Business. | Bachelor | $44,942 |
| Mathematics. | Bachelor | $41,937 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas. | Bachelor | $41,193 |
| Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences. | Bachelor | $41,025 |
| Communication and Media Studies. | Bachelor | $38,289 |
| Economics. | Bachelor | $36,941 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods. | Bachelor | $36,668 |
Campus Life
Weekends center around NCAA Division III Vikings athletics, with 744 student-athletes competing in 24 varsity sports. The College Conference of Illinois & Wisconsin brings rival teams to campus regularly. Students often cross the river to Davenport, Iowa, or drive to the larger Quad Cities area for entertainment and internships. The Lutheran heritage shapes campus culture through service learning and community engagement programs. Many students participate in the college's strong pre-med and science research programs during weekends and breaks. Greek life exists but doesn't dominate social life. The small city setting means most social activities happen on campus or within walking distance of the river.
- Setting
- City-Small
- Housing Capacity
- 1,730 beds
- Calendar System
- Semester
- Study Abroad
- Available
- Founded
- 1860
Campus Safety (2023)
25 total reported incidents. Source: Clery Act / U.S. Department of Education
| Offense | On Campus | Residential | Noncampus | Public Property |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rape | 4 | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| Stalking | 6 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Dating Violence | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Fondling | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
Climate & Weather
- January Avg
- 16°–31°F
- July Avg
- 67°–84°F
- Annual Precipitation
- 37.1"
- Annual Snowfall
- 0.0"
Student Demographics
- Men
- 46.5%
- Women
- 53.5%
- White
- 58.3%
- Black
- 4.3%
- Hispanic
- 12.7%
- Asian
- 2.4%
- In-State Students
- 77.9%
- Pell Grant Recipients
- 21.9%
Location
- Address
- Rock Island, Illinois 61201-2296
After College
Source: College Scorecard / U.S. Department of Education
- Median Earnings (10 years)
- $62,971
- Median Earnings (5 years)
- $58,348
- Mean Earnings (6 years after entry)
- $41,100
- Loan Repayment Rate
- 78.6%
- Monthly Loan Payment
- $286/mo
- Median Debt at Graduation
- $27,000
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the acceptance rate at Augustana College?
Augustana College accepts 61.22% of applicants, making it moderately selective. The middle 50% of admitted students score between 1010 and 1250 on the SAT. This Lutheran liberal arts college attracts students seeking strong science programs and personal attention from faculty.
How much does Augustana College cost after financial aid?
Students pay an average net price of $12,437 after financial aid, despite a sticker price of $63,000. About 27% of students receive institutional grants averaging $34,946. Graduates typically leave with $27,000 in debt and monthly loan payments of $286.
What is the student-faculty ratio at Augustana College?
Augustana maintains an 11:1 student-faculty ratio with just 2,418 students total. This small scale allows for the close mentoring relationships the college is known for. The retention rate of 82.8% reflects students' satisfaction with the personal attention they receive.
How much do Augustana College graduates earn?
Graduates earn a median salary of $62,971 ten years after graduation, with a 96.8% employment rate. The college's strong science programs and liberal arts foundation prepare students well for the job market. About 79% of students graduate within six years.
Where is Augustana College located and what is campus life like?
The college sits in Rock Island, Illinois, housing 1,730 students in campus residence halls. About 78% of students come from Illinois, creating a tight-knit community atmosphere. The Vikings compete in 24 NCAA Division III sports with 744 total athletes participating.
Does Augustana College have notable alumni connections to major companies?
John Deere, founder of the famous agricultural equipment company, attended Augustana in the 1860s shortly after the college's 1860 founding. The school also produced actress and TV host Jenny McCarthy. This small Lutheran college has maintained its tradition of producing leaders across various fields for over 160 years.
