Augustana College

The provided data suggests a modest return on investment for Augustana College, with median earnings not significantly outpacing the accumulated debt and high tuition costs.

Augustana College has a graduation rate of 76.3%.

Augustana College has an admission rate of 62.7%, indicating moderate selectivity.

The median earnings for Augustana College graduates 10 years after entry are $62,971.

With an affordability score of 35 and high tuition, Augustana College may present affordability challenges for many students, particularly when considering the median debt at graduation.

Augustana College has an acceptance rate of 62.7%, classifying it as a moderately selective institution. This means that while a significant portion of applicants are admitted, the college still evaluates candidates based on academic merit and other factors. To increase your chances of admission, focus on presenting a strong academic profile. This includes maintaining a competitive GPA, particularly in core subjects like English, Math, Science, and Social Studies. Standardized test scores (SAT/ACT) are considered, though policies can vary, so check Augustana's current requirements. A well-crafted application essay that showcases your personality, experiences, and reasons for choosing Augustana is crucial. Extracurricular activities, volunteer work, and leadership roles demonstrate a well-rounded profile and commitment beyond academics. Strong letters of recommendation from teachers or counselors who can speak to your abilities and character can also significantly bolster your application. Early application plans, such as Early Decision or Early Action, might also offer an advantage if Augustana is your top choice.

Augustana College's value proposition is a critical consideration. With tuition at $51,598 and median 10-year earnings at $62,971, the immediate financial return on investment (ROI) appears modest, with a reported ROI score of -69. This suggests that, on average, it takes a considerable amount of time for graduates to recoup their educational expenses. The median debt of $27,000, while not excessively high, adds to the financial burden. For instance, if a graduate earns $62,971 annually and dedicates, say, $10,000 per year towards debt repayment after taxes and living expenses, it would take approximately 3-4 years to clear the $27,000 debt, assuming minimal interest. However, the cost of tuition significantly outweighs the median earnings in the initial years. The true 'worth' depends heavily on the student's chosen major, career path, and their ability to secure employment that offers higher-than-median salaries. Students who excel in high-demand fields and leverage Augustana's career services for lucrative internships and job placements may find the investment worthwhile. For those seeking purely a financial return, other institutions might offer a quicker payoff. Augustana's value is more pronounced for students prioritizing a liberal arts education, personal development, and long-term career adaptability over immediate financial gains.

Augustana College, as a liberal arts institution, offers a broad range of strong majors. While 'best' is subjective and depends on individual career goals, certain programs consistently show strong outcomes. Majors within the STEM fields, such as Biology, Chemistry, and Computer Science, often lead to well-paying jobs in growing industries or provide a solid foundation for graduate studies in medicine, research, or technology. For instance, Biology and Chemistry graduates are well-positioned for careers in healthcare, pharmaceuticals, and biotechnology, or for medical school. Computer Science graduates are in high demand across various sectors, including software development, data analysis, and IT. Majors in Business Administration, Economics, and Accounting are also excellent choices, preparing students for careers in finance, management, marketing, and public accounting. These fields offer diverse opportunities within the Quad Cities region and beyond. Furthermore, Augustana's traditional strengths in the Humanities and Social Sciences, such as English, History, Psychology, and Political Science, equip graduates with critical thinking, communication, and analytical skills highly valued by employers in fields like law, education, government, non-profits, and communications. Graduates from these programs often pursue advanced degrees or find success in roles requiring strong interpretive and persuasive abilities. Ultimately, the 'best' major is one that aligns with your interests, strengths, and career aspirations, and for which you actively engage with internships, research opportunities, and career services to maximize your post-graduation success.

Student life at Augustana College is characterized by a close-knit, engaged community fostered by its relatively small size and liberal arts focus. The campus culture encourages active participation in a wide array of extracurricular activities, academic pursuits, and social events. Students can join over 100 student organizations, ranging from academic clubs and cultural groups to service organizations and special interest groups. Athletics play a significant role, with Augustana competing in NCAA Division III as the Vikings. There are numerous varsity sports, as well as intramural and club sports, offering opportunities for both serious athletes and casual participants. The arts are also vibrant, with students involved in theatre productions, musical ensembles (choirs, bands, orchestras), and visual arts exhibitions. The college boasts impressive facilities, including the Centennial Hall, a renowned concert venue. Social life often revolves around campus events, student organization activities, and gatherings in residence halls. While Augustana is not located in a major urban center, the Quad Cities area offers additional entertainment options, including concerts, festivals, restaurants, and recreational activities along the Mississippi River. Augustana emphasizes a balance between academic rigor and personal development. The campus community is generally supportive, with opportunities for students to form strong bonds with peers and faculty. The residential experience is a key component, with most students living on campus for at least their first two years, contributing to a strong sense of community and shared experience.

Augustana College is committed to making its education accessible through a variety of financial aid options. A significant percentage of students receive some form of financial assistance. Aid is typically awarded based on a combination of financial need and academic merit. For the most recent academic year, approximately 97% of full-time, first-year students received financial aid. This aid can come in the form of grants, scholarships, loans, and work-study programs. Merit-based scholarships are awarded to students demonstrating academic excellence, leadership, or talent in specific areas like arts or athletics. Need-based aid is determined by the student's and family's financial circumstances, assessed through the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and often supplemented by the CSS Profile. Augustana offers institutional grants and scholarships, which do not need to be repaid, alongside federal and state aid programs. Federal Pell Grants, state grants (like the Illinois Monetary Award Program - MAP grant for eligible Illinois residents), federal student loans (subsidized and unsubsidized), and federal work-study opportunities are commonly part of a financial aid package. To get a clear picture of potential aid, prospective students should complete the FAFSA as early as possible, as deadlines are crucial. Augustana's financial aid office provides personalized counseling to help students navigate the application process and understand their aid packages. While the sticker price is high, the actual net cost after aid can be significantly lower for many students, making it essential to explore all available resources.

The median salary for Augustana College graduates 10 years after enrollment is reported as $62,971. However, this is an average, and actual salaries can vary significantly based on several factors, most notably the student's chosen major and the industry they enter. Graduates from high-demand fields like Computer Science, Engineering (if applicable through specific tracks or partnerships), and certain Business disciplines (e.g., Finance, Accounting) typically command higher starting salaries and see faster salary growth. For example, entry-level roles in software development or financial analysis might start in the $60,000-$75,000 range, with potential to reach well over $100,000 within a decade, significantly exceeding the median. Majors in the sciences, such as Biology or Chemistry, often lead to careers in healthcare or research. While starting salaries might be moderate, pursuing graduate degrees (like medical school or Ph.D. programs) can lead to substantially higher earning potential in specialized roles. For instance, physicians and specialized researchers earn significantly more than the reported median. Graduates from Humanities and Social Sciences majors, while developing highly transferable skills, may have a wider salary range. Starting salaries might be lower, but career progression in fields like law, education administration, or management can lead to earnings comparable to or exceeding the median over time. It's crucial to research specific career paths associated with each major. Augustana's career services can provide more detailed data on alumni outcomes by major, including average starting salaries and typical career trajectories, which will offer a more precise expectation than the overall median.

Augustana College offers a range of on-campus housing options designed to foster community and provide a comfortable living environment for its students. Most students live in residence halls, particularly during their first two years, as the college emphasizes the value of the residential experience. The college typically operates several residence halls, each with its own character and amenities. These halls generally house students in double-occupancy rooms, though some single rooms may be available, often for upperclassmen or specific programs. Rooms are furnished with basic essentials like a bed, desk, chair, and closet space for each student. Common areas within each hall are central to the community experience. These usually include lounges with seating areas, study spaces, and communal bathrooms that are cleaned regularly by custodial staff. Many halls also feature kitchens or kitchenettes, laundry facilities, and recreational areas. Augustana places an emphasis on community building within the residence halls, with Resident Assistants (RAs) living on each floor to provide support, organize activities, and enforce community standards. The halls are designed to be safe and inclusive environments. While specific names and features of each hall can change, the overall goal is to provide a supportive and convenient living situation that complements the academic mission of the college. For upperclassmen, Augustana may also offer apartment-style living or suite-style options, providing more independence and shared living spaces among a small group of students.

Augustana College provides ample opportunities for undergraduate students to engage in research, aligning with its strong liberal arts tradition. The college encourages students to work closely with faculty members on research projects, often allowing undergraduates to participate in meaningful scholarly work that might typically be reserved for graduate students at larger universities. Many academic departments offer dedicated research programs or independent study options where students can delve into specific topics under faculty guidance. These opportunities are particularly prevalent in STEM fields like Biology, Chemistry, and Environmental Science, where students might assist in laboratory experiments, data collection, and analysis. However, research is not limited to STEM; students in the Humanities and Social Sciences also engage in significant research, conducting archival studies, developing theoretical frameworks, or analyzing social phenomena. Augustana hosts an annual Student Research Symposium, a campus-wide event where students present their research findings through oral presentations and poster sessions. This provides valuable experience in communicating complex ideas to a broader audience. Furthermore, faculty often involve students as co-authors on publications or presentations at professional conferences, offering a significant boost to their academic and career prospects. Students interested in research should proactively connect with faculty members whose work aligns with their interests. The smaller class sizes and accessible faculty at Augustana facilitate these mentorship relationships, making it a conducive environment for undergraduate research.

Augustana College is often compared to other private liberal arts colleges in the Midwest, particularly those with a similar size and academic focus. Realistic peer institutions include Knox College, Coe College, Loras College, and St. Ambrose University. These schools share a commitment to undergraduate education, small class sizes, and a well-rounded curriculum. Compared to these peers, Augustana holds several advantages. Its location in the Quad Cities provides access to a larger metropolitan area than some smaller, more isolated liberal arts colleges, potentially offering more diverse internship and post-graduation employment opportunities within the region. Augustana also tends to have a slightly larger student body and a broader range of academic programs and extracurricular activities than some of its smaller counterparts, offering more variety for students. Furthermore, its median earnings are competitive within this peer group. However, Augustana also faces disadvantages. Its tuition is often at the higher end of this group, which can make the return on investment appear less favorable compared to institutions with lower sticker prices. While its graduation rate is respectable, it may be lower than some highly selective liberal arts colleges, potentially indicating varying levels of student success or retention. Additionally, Augustana may not possess the same level of national name recognition or endowment size as some of the more established liberal arts institutions, which can sometimes influence perceived prestige or alumni network reach.

Employers generally hold a positive view of graduates from Augustana College, particularly those who have demonstrated strong academic performance and engaged actively in campus life and experiential learning. As a well-established liberal arts institution, Augustana is recognized for cultivating critical thinking, strong communication skills (both written and verbal), problem-solving abilities, and adaptability – qualities highly sought after by employers across diverse industries. Companies that recruit from Augustana often value the well-rounded education its graduates receive. This is evident in the placement of alumni in various sectors, including business, healthcare, education, and technology. Employers in the Quad Cities region, such as Genesis Health System and Deere & Company, have a history of hiring Augustana graduates due to the college's strong local presence and reputation. Beyond the immediate region, companies in larger Midwestern hubs like Chicago and Minneapolis also recruit Augustana alumni, recognizing their preparedness for professional roles. The perception is that Augustana graduates are not just technically proficient but also possess strong interpersonal skills and a capacity for lifelong learning, making them valuable long-term employees. The college's emphasis on internships and career services further enhances this perception, as graduates often enter the workforce with practical experience. While Augustana may not have the same level of national brand recognition as Ivy League or top-tier research universities, its graduates are consistently seen as capable, well-prepared, and reliable contributors to the workforce.