At $12,437/yr net price, Augustana College graduates earn $62,971/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $28,971/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $12,437 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $49,748 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $62,971/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$28,971/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 1.7 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 79.2% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $27,000 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $15,549/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $14,949/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $17,567/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $20,075/yr |
| $110,001+ | $6,658/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Computer Science. | Bachelor | $54,748 | $27,000 |
| Accounting and Related Services. | Bachelor | $54,252 | $27,000 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Bachelor | $47,148 | $27,000 |
| International Business. | Bachelor | $44,942 | $25,500 |
| Mathematics. | Bachelor | $41,937 | |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas. | Bachelor | $41,193 | $27,000 |
| Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences. | Bachelor | $41,025 | |
| Communication and Media Studies. | Bachelor | $38,289 | $26,375 |
| Economics. | Bachelor | $36,941 | |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods. | Bachelor | $36,668 | $27,000 |
The Risk Factor
79.2% of students at Augustana College graduate within 6 years. A significant share of students finish, but roughly 21% do not complete their degree.
Analysis
Augustana College gives you a solid financial return for a private liberal arts school. You graduate with debt below the national norm, and the median earnings ten years out clear that debt comfortably. The 79% graduation rate and 83% retention matter here because they mean you are likely to actually finish and start earning, not stall out with debt and no degree.
The payoff depends heavily on your major. Computer Science and Accounting are your safest bets, both landing graduates near $54,000 with the same $27,000 debt load everyone else carries. Business Administration and International Business trail behind in the mid-$40,000s, and Mathematics sits lowest of the listed programs at around $42,000. That's a $13,000 annual gap between the top and bottom majors on this list, and since debt is flat across programs, choosing Math over Computer Science changes your return dramatically while your loans stay the same. If you're set on a lower-earning field, know the numbers before you commit.
The specific risk here is the net price table. Families earning over $110,000 pay just $6,658 a year, less than half of what everyone below them pays. If you earn between $48,000 and $110,000, you pay the most, between roughly $17,500 and $20,000. That inversion means middle-income families carry the heaviest real cost at Augustana. Run your own aid estimate before assuming the sticker or the median applies to you.
Augustana fits you if you're aiming at Computer Science, Accounting, or business and your family lands at the top or bottom of the income range. Look harder if you're a middle-income family targeting a lower-paying major, because you'll pay the most and earn the least.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Augustana College worth the cost for most students?
At $12,437 net price per year, Augustana College offers reasonable value with graduates earning $62,971 annually after 10 years. The relatively low debt load of $27,000 and strong 79% graduation rate make it a solid choice for students who finish their degrees.
Which Augustana College programs have the best return on investment?
Computer Science and Accounting graduates from Augustana College earn the highest starting salaries at around $54,000. Business programs pay less at $47,000, while Math graduates start at $41,937, making STEM and business fields the strongest financial choices.
How much debt do Augustana College students typically graduate with?
Augustana College graduates carry a median debt of $27,000, which is manageable given the school's low net price and decent earning potential. This debt level is reasonable compared to many private colleges.
Does Augustana College provide good financial aid to make it affordable?
Yes, Augustana College's net price of $12,437 per year indicates substantial financial aid for most families. This makes the private college competitive with many public universities in terms of actual cost.