Augustana University — ROI, Cost & Payback
Augustana University charges a net price of $23,894/yr after aid — a 4-year total of $95,576. Graduates earn a median $59,217 ten years after entry, $10,857/yr above the $48,360 high-school baseline, clearing the total in 8.8 years — a 20-year net return of $121,564, a solid payback. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
Augustana University's 8.8-year payback ranks #729 of 1,280 US colleges we track — better ROI than 43% of them, and #2 of 17 in South Dakota.
| Measure | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Net price (after aid) | $23,894/yr | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Total net cost (4 yrs) | $95,576 | our math |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs after entry | $59,217 | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Earnings premium over HS baseline | $10,857/yr | our math |
| Median debt (completers) | $25,000 | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Payback | 8.8 yrs | our math |
| 20-year net return | $121,564 | our math |
College Scorecard (2026 release), institution-level · payback and returns are our math.
The arithmetic, on Augustana University's own numbers. Net price $23,894 × 4 years = $95,576 total. Median earnings $59,217 − the $48,360 high-school baseline = $10,857 a year of premium. $95,576 ÷ $10,857 = 8.8 years to break even; twenty years of that premium minus the cost leaves $121,564. Future dollars are not discounted, and the earnings figure blends every major here — your programme can beat or miss it. Full method.
How much debt do Augustana University students graduate with?
A median $25,000 in federal loans among completers, or 42% of the $59,217 its graduates earn ten years out — our math. The figure excludes private loans and students who left before finishing.
What share of Augustana University students graduate?
73% finish their degree. Spread the $95,576 bill across that completion rate and the cohort pays $130,926 per graduate produced — our math, and the figure a payback number never shows.
Is Augustana University expensive compared with other South Dakota colleges?
Its $23,894 net price runs $4,159 above the $19,735 median across the 17 South Dakota colleges we profile, or $16,636 more across the full degree.