International Student Costs & Scholarships

Augustana's comprehensive cost for tuition, room and meals can be very affordable.

A city of nearly 200,000 that offers many internship, undergraduate research and employment opportunities, Sioux Falls is also known for its low cost of living, safety and convenience in the heart of the Midwest. On campus at AU, with an average class size of 21 and a student-to-professor ratio of 12:1, international students receive personalized attention and advising from professors, staff and the International Programs Office. A rigorous, nationally recognized academic environment presents added value for international students.

Admin Building Spring 2020

Scholarships can cover as much as 50 percent of students' direct costs.

To apply for admission and scholarships, students should submit an Application for Admission and Scholarships. The sum of all scholarships is combined into an accepted student's Global Leaders Scholarship.

U.S. immigration regulations require international students to provide proof of sufficient funding (the difference between the total costs of attendance and any scholarship support received from Augustana) for one year of study before Augustana can issue an I-20 immigration document. An I-20 is necessary in applying for a U.S. student visa. It may be helpful to note that on average, after scholarships, students pay between $25,000-30,000 per year to attend Augustana. That figure includes full-time tuition, on-campus housing, an unlimited meal plan, all student fees and even estimates for health insurance and textbooks. Usually, families provide a bank statement or other financial documents showing access to the remaining amount. If a student has a sponsor apart from his or her immediate family, additional bank statements and letters of support from sponsors can be submitted.

Generally speaking, students make two payments to Augustana each year. The first payment is due by Aug. 15 for the fall semester and the second payment is due by Jan. 15 for the spring semester. If it is more convenient, international students may also set up a 3-payment-plan each semester.

A limited number of on-campus jobs are available for international students to earn spending money and gain work experience. International students are limited to on-campus work during the first year of study, according to U.S. immigration regulations. During a student's second, third and fourth year, off-campus employment can be approved as long as the job is related to the student's major(s). Augustana students have excellent access to paid internships and jobs in the diverse and quickly-growing economy in Sioux Falls, where the unemployment rate hovers near 2 percent, consistently among the lowest in the nation.