At $24,723/yr net price, Augustana University graduates earn $59,217/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $25,217/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $24,723 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $98,892 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $59,217/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$25,217/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 3.9 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 75.6% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $25,000 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $20,552/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $18,948/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $22,479/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $26,689/yr |
| $110,001+ | $26,388/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Bachelor | $57,724 | $25,000 |
| Education, General. | Master | $48,883 | $15,110 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Bachelor | $44,666 | $24,250 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas. | Bachelor | $43,426 | |
| Special Education and Teaching. | Bachelor | $39,009 | |
| Health and Physical Education/Fitness. | Bachelor | $39,009 | $24,190 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods. | Bachelor | $37,928 | $25,550 |
| History. | Bachelor | $36,848 | |
| Business/Corporate Communications. | Bachelor | $35,060 | |
| American Sign Language. | Bachelor | $33,993 |
The Risk Factor
75.6% of students at Augustana University graduate within 6 years. A significant share of students finish, but roughly 24% do not complete their degree.
Analysis
Augustana University gives you a moderate financial return. You pay about $24,700 a year net, graduate at a healthy 75.6% rate, and leave with $25,000 in median debt against median earnings of $59,217 ten years out. That debt-to-earnings balance is manageable, but the earnings ceiling here is real, and your major decides everything.
Nursing is the clear winner. At $57,724, it out-earns every other bachelor's program on record here and carries the same $25,000 debt that other majors do, so your return per dollar borrowed is strongest in nursing. Sioux Falls is a regional healthcare hub with large hospital systems, which supports steady nursing demand near campus.
The education majors are where the math gets tight. Special education and health/physical education both start around $39,000, and teacher education isn't far above that at $43,426. You'd carry roughly the same debt load as a nursing graduate while earning about $18,000 less per year. That's a slow payoff, and it's the specific risk at Augustana: several of its bachelor's programs cluster in low-paying teaching fields.
Business Administration sits in the middle at $44,666, decent but not high.
On price, families earning under $48,000 get the best deal here, paying under $21,000 and as low as $18,948 in the $30-48k band. The number climbs above $26,000 once your family income passes $75,000, so higher-income families see little discount. The 83.5% retention rate suggests most freshmen stay, which lowers your risk of paying for a year you don't finish.
Augustana fits you if you're headed into nursing or you land in the lower net-price income tiers. If you're planning to teach and will borrow the full amount, run the payment math first , the salaries here won't move fast.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Augustana University worth the cost?
With graduates earning $59,217 after 10 years and median debt of $25,000, Augustana University offers reasonable value for most students. The 75.6% graduation rate is solid, though earnings vary significantly by major.
What are the highest paying majors at Augustana University?
Nursing programs at Augustana University lead in earnings at $57,724, while education majors earn around $43,000-$49,000. Business graduates earn $44,666, which is below the national average for business degrees.
How much debt do Augustana University graduates have?
Augustana University graduates have a median debt load of $25,000, which is manageable compared to the national average. Most students can reasonably pay this back given the school's typical graduate earnings.
Does Augustana University have good financial aid?
The net price at Augustana University averages $24,723 per year, bringing the total cost down from the sticker price. This represents significant financial aid, though families should compare offers from other schools.