Like clockwork every fall, the Augustana University Student Success Center tirelessly makes phone calls, sends emails and text messages to its recent graduates — those who completed degrees in August, December and May of the previous academic year.
The center’s goal is simple: to reach as many graduates as possible and find out what they’re up to — an indicator of how well the university prepared them for their future beyond Augustana. As it turns out, the success center is pretty good at it: Augustana obtained information on 81% of its most recent graduates — exceeding the minimum National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) knowledge rate by 16%. And the answer they get from most graduates year after year: they’re doing pretty well. According to the Augustana Student Success Center’s most recent report published in February, 98% of 2025 graduates achieved a positive career outcome.
“Even in a challenging economy, Augustana University’s Class of 2025 entered the workforce and secured admission to graduate programs in impressive numbers,” said Mary Toso ’90, director of the Student Success Center at Augustana.
As Toso said, many of these graduates chose to continue their education, with 22% enrolled in graduate school or professional programs. Of the graduates who sought admission or continuing education, 96% were admitted. Augustana alumnus William “Will” Allen ‘25, who grew up on a family acreage just outside of Harrisburg, South Dakota, was one of them.
“The support that I got at Augie was awesome,” said Allen. “Looking back on it, it’s one of the best decisions I’ve ever made.”
Allen initially visited Augustana to play golf, but having family members who attended the university, he knew the kind of education he was going to receive as well.
“Both academic and athletics opportunities were a big push toward Augustana,” said Allen. “I had a couple of college visits lined up, and Augustana was the first. After I visited and talked to people there, I didn’t go on any of the other visits. I decided that Augie was going to be my place; and it helped me get to where I am now.”
A “place” that would build a foundation for his success in health care.
“I didn’t always know that I wanted to be a physician, but I always knew I wanted to do something in health care,” said Allen. “My mom worked in the lab at Sanford (Health) for more than 35 years. My job throughout college was working as a phlebotomist in the hospital, and I really enjoyed it. That solidified what I wanted to do in life, and I knew Augie would set me up for that pretty well.”
At Augustana, Allen earned Magna Cum Laude honors with a Bachelor of Arts in biology. Not on his diploma, though, are the minors he received in history and medical humanities. As part of these courses, Allen said he learned “different ways to think about material, how to approach material, how to read material … the idea of medicine being something more than just a science.”
“Medical humanities helps you look at medicine and science through a more holistic, philosophical, ethical point of view — it’s more about how to take care of the person rather than just the disease,” explained Allen.
Allen said the liberal arts degree he received at Augustana “helped him learn how to think rather than just know.”
“At Augustana, they hammer that in pretty hard,” laughed Allen.
Allen, who currently volunteers at a clinic that provides free health care to the uninsured, believes all of these things were “a big plus” when applying to medical school. Admitted to the University of South Dakota Sanford School of Medicine this past fall, Allen said some of his classmates are just beginning to learn these concepts and feels much more ahead of the game.
But more than anything, Allen said the support from faculty and staff at Augustana made all the difference.
“They became mentors. There’s a lot of bio professors who I never took a class with that I could go have a personal conversation with,” said Allen. “They know who I am, and I’m not a special case. That goes for everyone.”
In addition, the Student Success Center provides ongoing and tailored vocational engagement — offering individual support, career fairs, unique events alongside community organizations and business partners, not to mention alumni support.
“Liberal arts graduates, like those from Augustana, continue to fare well in a competitive job market. With strong, personalized support, our graduates develop core competencies that prepare them to adapt and thrive in a dynamic work environment,” said Toso.
More employment data, as well as other post-graduation activities and destinations for members of the Augustana Class of 2025, is detailed in the Career Outcomes Report published at augie.edu/outcomes.
Class of 2025 Key Statistics
- Ninety-eight percent of responding graduates achieved a positive career outcome (e.g., continuing their education, working, serving in the military or volunteering).
- Among the respondents, 22% enrolled in graduate school or professional programs. Of students who sought admission or continuing education, 96% were admitted.
- Upon graduation, Class of 2025 alumni reported working in 22 states, as well as Norway, Spain and Sweden.
- South Dakota retained 69% of AU's full-time graduates; 60% of graduates are working in Sioux Falls.
- Members of the Class of 2025 were hired by 121 unique organizations. The top employers included Avera and Sanford Health, as well as the Sioux Falls School District (SFSD) and RSM US LLP.
- The mean salary for undergraduate students in the Class of 2025 who were working full time was $54,223, with a median salary of $55,000.