Augustana College
Rock Island, Illinois · Private Nonprofit · 62.7% acceptance rate
ROI Score: 67/100 · Fair Value
Data: 2024-25 College Scorecard release
Augustana College is a private nonprofit liberal arts college in Rock Island, Illinois, enrolling approximately 2,490 students. It earns an overall ROI score of 67 - Fair Value - which is a creditable result given its $51,598 list tuition. The net price of $22,736 is where the real value calculation lives, reflecting generous institutional aid that brings most students well below sticker. Average six-year earnings of $41,100 and median ten-year earnings of $62,971 reflect a 31% earnings premium, and the 8.3-year payback period is reasonable. The completion rate of 73% is above average for a private Midwestern liberal arts college. The 84% three-year repayment rate is solid. Augustana's main financial challenge is a debt-to-earnings subscore of 38 out of 100, reflecting $27,000 in median debt against mid-range earnings - manageable but not comfortable for graduates entering lower-paying fields. The institution's breadth of programs means outcomes vary significantly: computer science and accounting graduates do well, while arts, theater, and Romance Languages graduates face a much harder financial path.
Augustana College
Quick Numbers
| In-state tuition + fees | $51,598/yr |
| Out-of-state tuition + fees | $51,598/yr |
| Average net price | $22,736/yr |
| Total 4-year cost (net) | $90,944 |
| Median earnings (10yr post-entry) | $62,971 |
| Average earnings (6yr post-entry) | $41,100 |
| Median debt at graduation | $27,000 |
| Estimated monthly loan payment | $286 |
| Estimated payback period | 8.3 years |
| 6-year graduation rate | 72.9% |
| Undergraduate enrollment | 2,490 |
Data as of 2024-2025. Source: College Scorecard API (U.S. Department of Education).
The Full Financial Picture
The first number you'll see is the sticker price: $51,598/year, which covers tuition and fees only. After grants, scholarships, and aid, the average student here pays a net price of $22,736/year, or roughly $90,944 over four years. That's the number to plan around.
What you actually pay depends a lot on what your family earns. Families making under $30,000/year pay an average of $15,787/year here, while families earning over $110,000 pay $28,086/year.
Among graduates who borrowed, the median federal loan debt from this school is $27,000, which works out to about $286 a month on the standard 10-year repayment plan. Our debt-to-earnings ratio divides that debt by average earnings six years after entry ($41,100) and comes to 0.66, under 1.0, meaning median debt is less than a full year of those earnings.
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 | $15,787 |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $16,525 |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $16,865 |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $22,405 |
| $110,001+ | $28,086 |
Cost by Income Bracket Explained
Lower-income families (under $30K)
Students from families earning under $30,000 face a net price of $15,787. At this price, the investment is justifiable for students in computer science, accounting, or business. The 84% repayment rate suggests most graduates manage debt successfully, even in lower-earning fields.
Middle-income families ($30K-$110K)
Middle-income students ($48,001 - $75,000) see a net price near $16,865 - Augustana's aid packaging delivers relatively compressed pricing across income brackets, which benefits middle-income families substantially. At this level, the investment case is solid for STEM and business students and borderline for arts and humanities students.
Higher-income families ($110K+)
Higher-income students ($110,000-plus) face a net price of $28,086. At this level, families are paying close to market rate for a liberal arts credential.
Earnings by Major
Top 10 most popular majors at Augustana College with available earnings data.
| Major | Median Earnings | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Biology | $68,648 | D |
| Psychology | $52,818 | D |
| Accounting | $91,143 | B |
| Teacher Education, Subject-Specific | $52,092 | C |
| Business Administration, Management, and Operations | $81,562 | C+ |
| Communication and Media Studies | $63,730 | C |
| Romance Languages | $55,909 | F |
| Computer Science | $83,339 | B |
| Communication Disorders Sciences | $60,223 | B |
| Natural Resources Conservation | $62,757 | D |
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.
Computer Science
Computer Science is Augustana's strongest ROI program. One-year earnings of $74,745 and four-year earnings of $83,339 far exceed the institutional average, with a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.36 earning a B grade. The 21 graduates annually benefit from proximity to the Quad Cities' growing tech and healthcare IT sectors, and the small cohort likely benefits from personalized faculty connections. This program offers genuinely strong returns at Augustana's net price.
Accounting
Accounting graduates earn $62,149 one year out and $91,143 at four years - a strong long-term trajectory. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.43 earns a B grade. With 43 annual graduates, this is one of Augustana's larger and financially more rewarding programs. The Quad Cities business community and proximity to Chicago accounting firms provide meaningful recruitment pathways for CPA-track students.
Business Administration, Management, and Operations
Business Administration graduates earn $50,210 one year out and $81,562 at four years. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.54 earns a C+ grade. With 41 graduates, this is a well-populated program with solid four-year earnings, though the early career compensation requires patience. Students who can accept modest initial salaries while building skills and network will find the four-year trajectory rewarding.
Teacher Education
Teacher Education graduates earn $45,517 one year out with a plateau near $47,613 at four years. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.59 earns a C grade against $27,000 in debt. Teaching careers offer stability and public service value, but at Augustana's net price, the debt burden relative to salary is meaningful.
Biology
Biology graduates earn $32,844 one year out and $68,648 at four years - the latter number likely reflects medical or dental school completers. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.82 earns a D grade at the bachelor's level. Students should treat this as a pre-professional program and plan for the full graduate or professional school cost when modeling total investment. Early earnings alone do not justify the cost without a graduate degree plan.
How Graduates Do
Earnings
Loan Repayment
| Metric | This School | Median of schools we score |
|---|---|---|
| 1-year repayment | 82.4% | 68.8% |
| 3-year repayment | 83.8% | 73.6% |
| 5-year repayment | 86.1% | 67.7% |
| 7-year repayment | 89.4% | 72.8% |
Completion Rate
Trends Over Time
How Augustana College’s cost and outcomes have moved across College Scorecard releases (2009-2024).
Average Net Price
Completion Rate
Median Earnings, 10 Years After Entry (as reported)
Earnings reflect borrowers measured 10 years after entry and publish on an irregular cadence with a multi-year reporting lag, so this series shows only the years the Department of Education reported - the data is never interpolated.
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, release years shown. Net price and completion are reported annually.
Admissions Snapshot
| Acceptance rate | 62.7% |
| SAT Math (25th-75th) | 510-640 |
| SAT Reading (25th-75th) | 520-630 |
| ACT Composite (25th-75th) | 21-29 |
| Enrollment | 2,490 |
| Pell Grant recipients | 24.0% |
| Avg faculty salary (monthly) | $8,300 |
Augustana admitted 63% of applicants, with SAT mid-ranges of 510 - 640 in math and 520 - 630 in reading, and ACT composite of 21 - 29. The institution uses a holistic review process emphasizing academic achievement, extracurricular involvement, and community fit.
Compared to Similar Schools
Peer institutions matched by type, size, and selectivity.
Augustana's completion rate is 73% and its payback period is 8.3 years.
| School | ROI | Net Price | 10yr Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Augustana College (this school) | 67 | $22,736 | $62,971 |
| St. John Fisher University | 71 | $28,945 | $66,944 |
| Carroll University | 68 | $15,193 | $58,009 |
| Jacksonville University | 67 | $25,180 | $68,010 |
| Aurora University | 66 | $18,838 | $58,709 |
| School of the Art Institute of Chicago | 21 | $49,790 | $40,151 |
Who Thrives Here
Augustana attracts students who value a traditional residential liberal arts experience with strong community and athletic traditions in the Quad Cities region. The admission rate is 63%. With 24% Pell Grant recipients, the institution reaches a moderate share of lower-income students. Students focused on computer science, accounting, or business will find strong ROI; arts and humanities students should plan graduate pathways or specific career tracks carefully before committing at this price point.
The Verdict: A Reasonable Bet - With Caveats
Augustana College is a fair-value bet, but how well it pays off depends a lot on you. At $22,736 a year after aid ($90,944 over four years), with the typical graduate earning $62,971 a decade out, the cost takes about 8.3 years to earn back. For context, the median payback across the schools we score is about 12 years.
What it has going for it: its 72.9% graduation rate, high loan repayment success. What to keep an eye on: a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.66 (median across the schools we score: 0.61).
Median debt of $27,000 among graduates who borrowed, against average earnings of $41,100 six years after entry, gives a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.66. That is under 1.0 (a full year of those earnings); the median across the schools we score is about 0.61. Your major - and how much you borrow - really matters.
Augustana College: Common Questions
Is Augustana College worth it?
In our view, it's a fair-value bet - whether Augustana College is worth it depends a lot on your major and aid package. It scores 67/100 on our ROI scale. At $22,736 a year after aid ($90,944 over four years) against $62,971 in typical earnings a decade out, the cost takes about 8.3 years to earn back. For context, the median payback across the schools we score is about 12 years.
How much does Augustana College cost after financial aid?
The average net price - the cost of attendance (tuition, fees, books, supplies and average living costs) minus grants and scholarships, for full-time, first-time students receiving federal aid - is about $22,736 a year, or roughly $90,944 over four years. Because it counts living costs, it can run above tuition alone. That is the number to plan around. Actual cost varies by family income, per the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard.
What do Augustana College graduates earn?
The typical graduate earns about $62,971 ten years after enrolling, roughly $21,171 a year more than the median high-school graduate ($41,800, per NCES, 2022). That earnings gap is what has to cover the cost of the degree.
How long does it take to pay off Augustana College?
We estimate the payback period - the time it takes for the earnings bump over a high-school graduate to cover what you spent - at about 8.3 years for Augustana College. The median across the schools we track is about 12 years.
How much debt do Augustana College graduates take on?
Among graduates who borrowed, median federal loan debt from this school is about $27,000, against average earnings of $41,100 six years after entry - a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.66. That is under 1.0 (a full year of those earnings); the median across the schools we score is about 0.61. How much you borrow really matters.
What is the graduation rate at Augustana College?
The six-year graduation rate is 72.9%, at or above the 64% national average for four-year schools (NCES, 2022). Completion is 15% of our ROI score, since a degree you don't finish rarely pays back.
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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.