Augustana University: Academic Excellence and Campus Life
Augustana University stands as a distinguished institution of higher learning, blending a rigorous academic environment with a rich cultural heritage. With a diverse array of programs and a commitment to global citizenship, the university provides students with a comprehensive educational experience that extends far beyond the traditional classroom.
The university's academic structure is designed for flexibility and depth, utilizing a calendar divided into two 15-week semesters. This is complemented by a four-week interim period in January—which offers specialized classes and study-away programs—and an optional eight-week summer term. A hallmark of the Augustana experience is the intimate learning environment, characterized by a 12:1 student-to-faculty ratio.
Academic Offerings and Facilities
Augustana offers more than 100 majors, minors, and pre-professional and graduate programs. Students frequently gravitate toward high-demand fields, with the most popular majors including nursing, biology, business administration, psychology, exercise science, finance, elementary education, computer science, accounting, and marketing.
To support these disciplines, the university has leveraged a financial endowment that surpassed $115 million in 2023. This funding has fueled significant campus modernization, including:
- The renovation of the Mikkelsen Library.
- The 2015 reconstruction of the Froiland Science Complex (formerly the Gilbert Science Center).
- The 2022 addition of Ralph H. Wagoner Hall.
- The 2023 addition of Midco Arena.
- The ongoing construction of the Morrison Commons.
Beyond the classroom, students engage in undergraduate research, extensive internships, and study abroad programs. The university's commitment to internationalism is evident in its statistics; between 2007 and 2008, 285 students participated in international educational experiences, and 44% of students studied abroad before completing their degrees.
Admissions and Student Profile
Augustana is recognized as a "more selective" institution by U.S. News & World Report. The university maintains an acceptance rate of 61%, with a student body that historically demonstrates high academic achievement. For instance, 62% of enrolled students graduated in the top quartile of their high school class, boasting an average GPA of 3.7 and a middle 50% ACT score range of 23–28 (with an average composite of 26).
The student population is primarily regional, with the largest cohorts hailing from South Dakota (42%) and Minnesota (34%), followed by Iowa (12%) and Nebraska (4%). The university also fosters a global community; in the 2010–11 academic year, Augustana welcomed its largest-ever incoming international class, bringing the total to 79 students from 23 different countries.
While the university maintains a Lutheran religious affiliation, the student body is diverse in faith. While 46% prefer the Lutheran affiliation, Catholicism is the second largest denomination at 21%, and 22% of students identify as "other".
Key Facts
- Student-to-Faculty Ratio: 12:1
- Acceptance Rate: 61%
- Endowment: Over $115 million (as of 2023)
- Top Rankings: Ranked 3rd among Midwestern colleges by U.S. News & World Report (2015) and named a "Best Buy" school.
- Global Reach: 44% of students study abroad before graduation.
- Academic Breadth: Over 100 majors, minors, and graduate programs.
Arts and Cultural Contributions
The arts are central to the Augustana experience. The Center for Western Studies, founded in 1970 by Professor Herbert Krause, serves as a vital library and repository for art and artifacts. It hosts the Dakota Conference on the Northern Plains—the largest annual humanities conference of its kind—and the Boe Forum on Public Affairs, which has hosted global figures such as Mikhail Gorbachev, Sandra Day O'Connor, and Pervez Musharraf.
The university's performing arts are equally prestigious. The Augustana Choir and Concert Band tour internationally, with past travels to Tanzania, Italy, and China. The Theatre Company is highly active, producing four main-stage shows annually, including a musical, and hosting the biennial Claire Donaldson New Play Festival. In 2023, the department pioneered an all-abilities show in collaboration with the Black Hills Playhouse and Lifescapes of Sioux Falls.
Visual arts students benefit from the Center for Visual Arts, established in 2006. This facility replaced former WWII barracks and now houses the Eide-Dalrymple Gallery along with specialized studios for ceramics, sculpture, painting, printmaking, drawing, and design.
The Civitas Honors Program
Launched in 2007, Civitas (Latin for "citizenship") is the university's prestigious honors program. The curriculum is centered on the work of Dietrich Bonhoeffer, a German Lutheran pastor and theologian who resisted Nazism. Specifically, the program focuses on Bonhoeffer's essay "The Structure of Responsible Life" and the concept of Stellvertretung, or vicarious representative action.
Admission to Civitas is competitive, with only 40 students selected per graduating class. Candidates must maintain a minimum 3.0 GPA, with priority given to those with a 3.5 cumulative high school GPA and an ACT score of at least 27.
| Category | Detail/Statistic |
|---|---|
| Student-to-Faculty Ratio | 12:1 |
| Acceptance Rate | 61% |
| Average Student GPA | 3.7 |
| Average ACT Score | 26 |
| Freshman Retention Rate | 80% (2013-2014) |
| Financial Endowment | $115M+ (2023) |
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the most popular majors at Augustana University?
The top declared majors include nursing, biology, business administration, psychology, exercise science, finance, elementary education, computer science, accounting, and marketing.
What is the Civitas program?
Civitas is an honors program focused on citizenship and the theological work of Dietrich Bonhoeffer, specifically his concepts regarding responsible life and vicarious representative action.
How does Augustana University handle its academic calendar?
The university uses two 15-week semesters, a four-week interim period in January for special courses and study-away programs, and an optional eight-week summer term.
Where do most Augustana students come from?
The majority of students are from the Midwest, specifically South Dakota (42%), Minnesota (34%), Iowa (12%), and Nebraska (4%).
What is the Center for Western Studies?
Founded in 1970, it is a library, academic publisher, and repository for art and artifacts that hosts the Dakota Conference on the Northern Plains and the Boe Forum on Public Affairs.