Augsburg University
Minneapolis, Minnesota · Private Nonprofit · 82.0% acceptance rate
ROI Score: 53/100 · Below Average Value
Augsburg University in Minneapolis scores 53 (Below Average Value), pulled down by a $45,452 sticker tuition, a 9.9-year payback period, and a 51.7% completion rate. Net price averages $23,873, which is high for the outcomes it produces: $41,500 median 6-year earnings and a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.611. The top-performing programs -- nursing, accounting, finance, and computer science -- all earn B-range ROI grades and justify enrollment for students in those fields. The majority of lower-volume programs carry C or D grades. The repayment rate of 74.4% is mediocre, suggesting a meaningful share of graduates are not actively reducing their debt.
Augsburg University
Quick Numbers
| In-state tuition + fees | $45,452/yr |
| Out-of-state tuition + fees | $45,452/yr |
| Average net price | $23,873/yr |
| Total 4-year cost (net) | $95,492 |
| Median earnings (10yr post-entry) | $58,829 |
| Median earnings (6yr post-entry) | $41,500 |
| Median debt at graduation | $25,347 |
| Estimated monthly loan payment | $269 |
| Estimated payback period | 9.9 years |
| 6-year graduation rate | 51.7% |
| Undergraduate enrollment | 2,494 |
Data as of 2024-2025. Source: College Scorecard API (U.S. Department of Education).
The Full Financial Picture
The sticker price at Augsburg University is $45,452/year. But sticker price isn't what most students pay. After grants, scholarships, and financial aid, the average student pays a net price of $23,873/year, or roughly $95,492 over four years.
That net price varies significantly by family income. The lowest-income families (under $30,000/year) pay an average of $21,318/year, while families earning over $110,000 pay $32,123/year.
The median graduate leaves with $25,347 in federal loan debt, translating to an estimated monthly payment of $269 on a standard 10-year repayment plan. Against median earnings of $58,829 ten years out, the debt-to-earnings ratio is 0.61 - within the recommended range but worth monitoring.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after grants and scholarships, by income bracket.
| Family Income | Avg Net Price/Year |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $21,318 |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $23,180 |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $21,524 |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $23,223 |
| $110,001+ | $32,123 |
Cost by Income Bracket Explained
Lower-income families (under $30K)
Families earning under $30,000 pay $21,318 net price per year at Augsburg -- a high figure for low-income students at a school with a 56.1% Pell rate. The aid structure provides some relief relative to sticker price, but $21,318 is still nearly half the median 6-year earnings of $41,500. Low-income students considering Augsburg should run program-specific ROI projections before committing.
Middle-income families ($30K-$110K)
Middle-income families ($48,001-$75,000) pay $21,524 per year, nearly identical to the lowest income band. Families in the $75,001-$110,000 range pay $23,223. The flat aid structure across income bands is notable -- Augsburg's aid does not sharply differentiate between low and middle income at the net price level.
Higher-income families ($110K+)
Families earning $110,000+ pay $32,123 per year -- roughly $128,000 over four years. At $41,500 median 6-year earnings, full-pay at Augsburg is difficult to justify for most majors. Nursing and computer science graduates can construct a case; most other programs cannot.
Earnings by Major
Top 10 most popular majors at Augsburg University with available earnings data.
| Major | Median Earnings | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Marketing | $68,757 | C+ |
| Psychology | $55,673 | D |
| Biology | $35,984 | D |
| Business Administration, Management, and Operations | $72,706 | C+ |
| Finance and Financial Management | $79,809 | B |
| Registered Nursing | $93,046 | B+ |
| Management Information Systems | $75,100 | B |
| Social Work | $60,546 | C |
| Communication and Media Studies | $63,850 | D |
| Computer Science | $95,637 | B |
Earnings reflect median 4-year post-completion (or 1-year where 4-year unavailable). Grades based on debt-to-earnings ratio.
Program Analysis
Why these programs deliver their earnings outcomes.
Registered Nursing
Registered Nursing (26 graduates) is Augsburg's strongest program: $80,574 year-one, $93,046 at year four, and a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.291 (ROI grade B+). The small cohort limits certainty, but the earnings profile is strong relative to the Twin Cities nursing labor market. Median debt of $23,441 is below the institutional average.
Computer Science
Computer Science (17 graduates) earns $63,065 year-one and $95,637 at year four with a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.396 (ROI grade B). The four-year trajectory to $95k is strong for a small regional school and reflects the Minneapolis tech ecosystem absorbing graduates into software and data roles. The small cohort is a caveat, but the directional signal is positive.
Finance and Financial Management
Finance (28 graduates) earns $63,598 year-one and $79,809 at year four with a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.425 (ROI grade B). Minneapolis's financial services sector -- insurance, banking, asset management -- provides placement opportunities for Augsburg finance graduates. The outcomes are average for the program type but acceptable at the net price.
Psychology
Psychology (39 graduates) earns $29,743 year-one and $55,673 at year four, with a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.933 (ROI grade D). At a $23,873 net price, psychology graduates carry debt that equals nearly a full year's earnings on day one. The four-year earnings of $55,673 show improvement, but the payback is slow and the D grade reflects structural mismatch between cost and near-term earnings.
Biology
Biology (36 graduates) earns $35,984 year-one with no four-year figure reported, and a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.750 (ROI grade D). Biology graduates at Augsburg disproportionately pursue professional or graduate school, which is not captured in the 6-year earnings data. Families should understand that the near-term financial outlook is weak without a downstream professional credential.
How Graduates Do
Earnings
Loan Repayment
| Metric | This School | Nat'l Avg |
|---|---|---|
| 1-year repayment | 68.9% | 52.0% |
| 3-year repayment | 74.4% | 62.0% |
| 5-year repayment | 73.3% | 68.0% |
| 7-year repayment | 81.0% | 72.0% |
Completion Rate
Admissions Snapshot
| Acceptance rate | 82.0% |
| Enrollment | 2,494 |
| Pell Grant recipients | 56.1% |
| Avg faculty salary (monthly) | $8,416 |
Augsburg's 82.0% admission rate and no published test scores place it in the broadly accessible tier for private universities. The 56.1% Pell rate means Augsburg intentionally serves a lower-income population, and the aid structure reflects that -- but net price still averages nearly $24,000 for a school with $41,500 median 6-year earnings.
Compared to Similar Schools
Peer institutions matched by type, size, and selectivity.
Augsburg's peer schools include Bethany Lutheran College, Bethel University (MN), Saint Edward's University, and Otterbein University. Bethel University is a closer regional competitor with a similar mission and pricing structure in the Twin Cities. Otterbein in Ohio serves a comparable mid-selectivity private university student. Augsburg's 53 ROI score is below average for the group; its Pell rate of 56.1% reflects a stronger access commitment than most peers, but net price has not fully kept pace with that mission.
| School | ROI | Net Price | 10yr Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Augsburg University (this school) | 53 | $23,873 | $58,829 |
| Bethel University | 71 | $28,556 | $63,764 |
| Saint Edward's University | 54 | $25,578 | $58,826 |
| Otterbein University | 53 | $19,237 | $53,313 |
| The University of Findlay | 52 | $27,221 | $56,996 |
| Bethany Lutheran College | 35 | $20,148 | $46,110 |
Who Thrives Here
Augsburg admits 82.0% of applicants with no published test data, reflecting broad access. At 2,494 students with a 56.1% Pell rate -- unusually high for a private university -- it is a genuine access institution in a high-cost city. Students targeting nursing, finance, accounting, or computer science get defensible returns. Students in humanities, social sciences, biology, or kinesiology at a $23,873 net price should compare carefully with lower-cost University of Minnesota alternatives.
The Verdict: Proceed With Caution
The financial case for Augsburg University is mixed. At $23,873 per year net cost, graduates earn a median of $58,829 ten years after entry - a payback period of 9.9 years. That's below the average return for four-year institutions, and prospective students should carefully consider whether the investment aligns with their financial goals.
Areas of concern include a 51.7% graduation rate.
Median debt of $25,347 against $58,829 in earnings is reasonable, though major choice matters significantly. Students in higher-earning programs will see better returns.
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Data: College Scorecard API (U.S. Department of Education)
Vintage: 2024-2025 · Last updated: 2026-03-25
Earnings reflect median outcomes for all federal financial aid recipients. Individual results vary by major, effort, and career path.