Why Augustana College?
Augustana College is a private, selective, liberal arts college of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. Our 1800 students come from nearly 30 U.S. states and a host of countries abroad. Augustana follows an American tradition in being called a "college" although our academic programs and opportunities are the same as those offered at "universities" throughout the United States. National accreditation agencies grant Augustana full rights and the highest possible standing as a post-secondary, four-year institution of higher learning.
Proven Success. Augustana has a proven record of success with international programs. Our college has been home to over 1,000 international students from across the globe. Many come to Augustana to obtain a full Bachelor of Arts degree. Others come as study abroad students for a year or two to experience the life and culture of the United States. Nearly 50% of American students at Augustana will study abroad during their college career and Augustana faculty have taught, studied, and researched across the globe.
Academic Excellence. Augustana is a recognized leader in academic excellence. Many of the top education guides in the U.S., like Peterson's, Barron's and U.S. News, point to Augustana as a place of “high academic standards at a great price.” In 2007, Augustana was named one of the top five “Midwestern Comprehensive Colleges” and in the United States and a “Best Value” by U.S. News. Augustana has been ranked in the top ten by U.S. news for five years in a row. 57% of Augustana students rank in the top quarter of their high school graduating class and entering freshmen continue to excel on college entrance exams.
Preparation for Graduate School. A Bachelor of Arts degree from Augustana prepares students for the top graduate schools in the U.S. and abroad. Nearly 30% of a typical Augustana graduating class will pursue advanced degrees in their fields or are attending professional schools in a wide variety of medical professions, law, and theology. Augustana boasts a 90% placement rate for applicants to medical school. Recent Augustana graduates have attended Harvard, Duke, Iowa State, Purdue, Creighton, University of Minnesota, University of Nebraska, Syracuse University, and Washington University in St. Louis just to name a few.
Great professors. Beyond the statistics, one of the things that stands out about Augustana is the relationships that students are able to develop with faculty members (as well as students and staff). Most of Augustana's professors have earned their Ph. D.'s. Many come from top graduate schools in the United States and around the world, including Harvard, Penn State, DePaul, Boston College, University of Minnesota, University of Sussex (England), Queen's University of Belfast (Northern Ireland), and the University of Poona (India).
Small Classes with Strong Students. Most of the classes you take will have fewer than 30 students, not 200 or more as they do at large universities. In fact, the average class size at Augustana is 23. You will know your professors and classmates by name. And our professors are here to teach (though many do research as a secondary responsibility, and often include students). You will not be taught by graduate students at Augustana, but by the best professors at all levels. Augustana professors have office hours and are here to assist students with their learning. Your classes will be small, your classmates will be very talented, and your professors will be dynamic - these things combine to make Augustana an exciting learning environment.
State-of-the-Art Facilities. Augustana's campus features modern buildings on a pleasant, green, 100-acre campus in central Sioux Falls. Facilities include eleven computer laboratories, excellent technology in classrooms, a computerized language lab, and a beautiful sport, recreation and fitness complex. The college has recently completed construction on a new Center for Visual Arts, an addition to the sport, recreation and fitness center, and a new apartment complex among many other things. Take a virtual tour.
World-Class Speakers and Entertainment. Augustana students are treated to the Boe Forum on Public Affairs annually, which brings well-known speakers to campus on issues of regional and global importance. Recent speakers include: Archbishop Desmond Tutu, Colin Powell, Former President George H.W. Bush, Mikhail Gorbachev, Queen Noor of Jordan, Rudy Guiliani, and Al Gore. The Augustana student group, UBG, has also recently brought the music of O.A.R., Ben Folds, and Widespread Panic to campus, as well as poet and author Maya Angelou.