Augustana University is a private, visit their website Lutheran-affiliated university located in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Founded in 1860, it serves approximately 2,500 undergraduate and graduate students from 44 states and 45 countries, offering more than 100 academic programs. The university is recognized nationally for its value and career outcomes, ranked as the No. 1 Best Value School in the Midwest by U.S. News & World Report .
Note: Augustana University (South Dakota) is distinct from Augustana College in Rock Island, Illinois, a separate Lutheran liberal arts institution. The two schools share historical roots in Swedish Lutheran immigration but are independent institutions.
History and Mission
Augustana University was founded in 1860, the same year as its namesake in Illinois, by Swedish Lutheran immigrants. The name “Augustana” derives from the Latin Confessio Augustana (Augsburg Confession), the foundational document of the Lutheran Reformation . The university describes its purpose as providing “an education of enduring worth that challenges the intellect, fosters integrity and integrates faith with learning and service in a diverse world” .
Located in Sioux Falls, South Dakota’s largest city with a metro population exceeding 265,000, Augustana benefits from an urban setting with access to internships, healthcare systems, and a growing business community .
Academics
Augustana offers more than 100 undergraduate and graduate programs across its schools. The university maintains a 12:1 student-to-faculty ratio, and 98% of 2025 graduates achieved a positive career outcome—employed or in graduate school .
Popular undergraduate programs by completions (2023-2024) include:
| Program | Bachelor’s Degrees |
|---|---|
| Registered Nursing | 68 |
| Biology/Biological Sciences | 52 |
| Business Administration and Management | 28 |
| Finance | 24 |
| Marketing | 24 |
| Exercise Science and Kinesiology | 23 |
| Communication Sciences and Disorders | 22 |
| Psychology | 21 |
| Accounting | 19 |
| Elementary Education | 13 |
Source: NCES College Navigator
The university offers distinctive programs including a trust minor through the Rydell School of Business—available at only a handful of colleges nationwide—developed as part of the strategic plan Viking Bold: The Journey to 2030 . Augustana also offers a J-Term, a January mini-semester allowing students to take one intensive course or study abroad .
Student Body
Augustana University enrolled 2,548 students for Academic Year 2025-26, web the largest student body in its 165-year history. The first-year class totaled 615 full-time students, a record high and 15% increase from the previous year .
The student body is 60.5% female and 39.4% male. Demographic composition: 73% White, 11% international, 5% Black or African American, 5% Hispanic, 3% two or more races, 2% Asian, and 1% American Indian .
Rankings and Value
Augustana has received consistent recognition for value and outcomes:
- No. 1 Best Value School in the Midwest (U.S. News & World Report)
- 98% positive career outcome rate for 2025 graduates
- 96% of graduates received admission into continuing education
- Top 10 private colleges nationwide for largest merit scholarships to the greatest percentage of students (Money magazine analysis)
Admissions and Costs
Augustana maintains an accessible admissions policy with no undergraduate application fee . Application requirements include an online application, transcripts, one score report (ACT, SAT, TOEFL, IELTS, or Duolingo), an essay or personal statement, passport scan, and financial statements .
English proficiency requirements: TOEFL (iBT) 79+, IELTS 6.0+, Duolingo 110+, or completion of ELS Level 112 .
Estimated Costs (2024-25)
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| Tuition | $38,818 |
| Double Room | $4,243 |
| Meal Plan | $5,393 |
| Student Fees | $1,658 |
| Health Insurance (est.) | $2,050 |
| Books (est.) | $1,000 |
| Total | $53,161 |
International student scholarships range from $10,000 to $25,500 per year, with the average student paying $27,000 to $32,000 to attend . For domestic students, 65% of 2023 graduates borrowed, with an average debt at graduation of $34,734**. Median salary six years after graduation is **$49,826 .
Athletics
Augustana competes in NCAA Division II as members of the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC). The Vikings sponsor 21 NCAA Division II sports programs .
The university launched men’s ice hockey in 2023, the first collegiate hockey program in South Dakota, competing at the Division I level. The program plays at the $70 million Midco Arena, making Augustana the first athletics program competing at Division I that calls Sioux Falls home .
Augustana Athletics has won three team national championships since 2016 and finished #7 nationally in the Division II Learfield Director’s Cup in 2021-22, also winning the NSIC All Sports Award .
Campus Life
Augustana offers more than 100 campus organizations and activities, including athletics, theatre, music, and advocacy and service groups . The university celebrated its 102nd homecoming during Viking Days 2025 .
Student reviews highlight the sense of community at Augustana. One student wrote: “If I had to name one thing I love most about Augustana, it would be the 2,000 member family that I gained as soon as I accepted my admission.” Another noted: “The professors are friendly, approachable, and intelligent. They look out for you and will engage you in your learning” .
Conclusion
Augustana University occupies a distinctive position in South Dakota higher education as a Lutheran-affiliated liberal arts institution with strong career outcomes and national recognition for value. Its record enrollment in 2025, 98% career placement rate, and No. 1 Best Value ranking in the Midwest reflect an institution effectively delivering on its promise of “an education of enduring worth.” For students seeking a mid-sized university with strong community, robust academic offerings, and a location in one of the fastest-growing metro areas in the Upper Midwest, Augustana offers a compelling option. home The university’s recent expansion into Division I men’s hockey and its continued investment in facilities signal an institution positioning itself for continued growth.