Augustana College is a private liberal arts college located in Rock Island, sites Illinois, part of the Quad Cities metropolitan area. Founded in 1860 by Swedish university graduates who immigrated to the United States, it is affiliated with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and enrolls approximately 2,500 students. The college is known for its strong liberal arts foundation, generous financial aid, and location on the Mississippi River between Chicago and Des Moines.
Note: Augustana College (Illinois) is distinct from Augustana University in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. The two institutions share Swedish Lutheran roots but are independent.
History and Mission
Augustana College was founded in 1860 by Swedish immigrants seeking to preserve their Lutheran heritage while embracing American higher education . The college has been located in Rock Island since 1875, on 115 wooded acres overlooking the Mississippi River . The name “Augustana” derives from the Confessio Augustana (Augsburg Confession), the foundational document of the Lutheran Reformation.
The college describes its mission as offering “a challenging education that develops the qualities of mind, spirit and body necessary for students to discern their life’s calling of leadership and service in a diverse and changing world” . Augustana prizes interfaith engagement, commitment to justice, and vocational discernment, with academic freedom assured in carrying out its purpose .
Academics
Augustana offers nearly 100 academic programs, with students earning Bachelor of Arts degrees unless otherwise noted . A distinctive feature is that half of Augustana students pursue more than one major, building versatility for their future .
Popular majors by completions (2023-2024) include :
| Program | Bachelor’s Degrees |
|---|---|
| Biology/Biological Sciences | 52 |
| Psychology | 46 |
| Business Administration and Management | 28 |
| Finance | 24 |
| Marketing | 24 |
| Exercise Physiology and Kinesiology | 23 |
| Communication Sciences and Disorders | 22 |
| Political Science and Government | 20 |
| Accounting | 19 |
| Computer Science | 14 |
| Elementary Education | 13 |
The curriculum includes general education requirements in writing, quantitative reasoning, foreign language, fine arts, humanities, natural sciences, and social sciences . All seniors complete a Senior Inquiry capstone project working with a faculty mentor in their major field .
Augie Choice
A signature program, Augie Choice provides every student with $2,000 to support a high-impact learning experience such as international study, an internship, or research with a professor during sophomore, junior, or senior year .
Engaged Learning
Augustana emphasizes learning by doing, with problem-solving through experience on campus, in the Quad Cities, and around the world . The college offers coordinated-degree and pre-professional programs including pre-medicine, pre-law, pre-dentistry, pre-pharmacy, and pre-veterinary tracks .
Student Body
As of Fall 2024, Augustana enrolled 2,522 undergraduates . The student body is 53.9% White, 12.9% Hispanic or Latino, 4.82% Black or African American, 3.89% two or more races, and 2.61% Asian . Approximately 54% of students are female .
The college maintains a 12:1 student-to-faculty ratio, with more than 80% of faculty serving as student advisors . Augustana has had a chapter of the prestigious Phi Beta Kappa honor society since 1950 .
Rankings and Recognition
Augustana College has received consistent national recognition:
- No. 96 Best National Liberal Arts Colleges (U.S. News & World Report 2026)
- No. 34 Most Innovative Schools (U.S. News)
- No. 73 Best Value Schools (U.S. News)
- Money magazine 2026: One of the Best Colleges in America, 4.5 stars
- Forbes 2025: One of 25 private colleges with generous financial aid
- Niche 2026: No. 3 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in Illinois
- Open Doors 2025: No. 4 among U.S. baccalaureate colleges for international students
- Academic All-Americans: No. 14 nationally across all NCAA divisions
Admissions
Augustana maintains a moderately selective admissions policy with a 63% acceptance rate . see page The college accepts the Common Application and is test-optional .
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Acceptance Rate | 63% |
| SAT Range (25th-75th percentile) | 1030-1270 |
| ACT Range (25th-75th percentile) | 21-29 |
| High School GPA | 3.4 |
Source: U.S. News & World Report
Costs and Financial Aid
For the 2026-2027 academic year, Augustana’s comprehensive fee is **$68,442**, comprising tuition of $55,048, standard housing and meals of $13,224, and a health care fee of $170 .
Net Price
The college is recognized for generous financial aid. According to NCES data, the average net price for full-time beginning students receiving grant or scholarship aid is $24,714 . Net price varies by income:
| Family Income | Average Net Price |
|---|---|
| $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 |
Source: NCES College Navigator, 2023-2024
100% of students receive grant or scholarship aid, with an average total aid award of $39,242 . Forbes recognized Augustana as one of 25 private colleges with generous financial aid .
Athletics
Augustana competes in NCAA Division III as a member of the College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin (CCIW). The Vikings sponsor 22 varsity sports, including baseball, basketball, cross country, football, golf, lacrosse, soccer, softball, swimming, tennis, track and field, volleyball, and wrestling .
The college has earned recognition for academic-athletic balance, ranking No. 14 nationally for the number of Academic All-Americans across all NCAA divisions, and No. 1 in the CCIW and tri-state region .
Campus and Location
Augustana’s 115-acre campus is located in Rock Island, Illinois, adjacent to the Mississippi River . The Quad Cities metropolitan area has a population of approximately 450,000, making it the largest population center between Chicago and Des Moines . The college has strong community partnerships, offering internships, service-learning, student teaching, and research assignments with local schools, businesses, and nonprofits .
The Fryxell Geology Museum on campus houses a large collection of dinosaurs, fossils, and mineral specimens, open to students and visitors .
Conclusion
Augustana College represents a distinctive option in American higher education: a Swedish-Lutheran liberal arts institution with strong financial aid, a 12:1 student-faculty ratio, and national recognition for innovation and value. Its location in the Quad Cities provides access to internships and cultural resources while maintaining a residential campus experience on the Mississippi River. For students seeking a mid-sized liberal arts college with generous aid, a wide range of majors, and a supportive community, Augustana offers a compelling choice. look what i found The college’s 82% retention rate and 77% graduation rate reflect an institution effectively supporting student success .