Augustana vs. USD

Comparable Facts

Compare Augustana College in Rock Island, IL with University of South Dakota in Vermillion, SD on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of South Dakota is larger than Augustana based on total student enrollment (10,619 students vs. 2,570 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Augustana College is located in Rock Island, IL (Small City setting); University of South Dakota is in Vermillion, SD (Distant Town setting).
• Augustana College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of South Dakota is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Augustana College 12:1; University of South Dakota 16:1.

Augustana vs. USD Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Augustana or USD? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at University of South Dakota than Augustana ($19,133 vs. $24,714).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of South Dakota are 17.2% lower than at Augustana College ($10,356 vs. $12,502).
• Augustana College is 447.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than USD (about $42,166 more per year; $51,598.00 vs. $9,432.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 298.7% higher at Augustana than at University of South Dakota (about $38,656 more per year; $51,598.00 vs. $12,942.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Augustana College than at University of South Dakota (100% vs. 83%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Augustana College students is 597.9% larger than aid received by University of South Dakota students ($39,242 vs. $5,623).

Augustana vs. USD Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Augustana or USD? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between USD and Augustana.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of South Dakota (1220) is 70 points higher than at Augustana (1150).
• Incoming Augustana students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (25 vs. 22 at USD).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Augustana College 1030/1270; University of South Dakota 1125/1315.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Augustana College 21/29; University of South Dakota 19/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Augustana - Test optional; USD - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Augustana Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman USD students have a 0.13 point higher average high school GPA (3.43) than students at Augustana (3.3).
• USD has a higher acceptance rate (98.8%) than Augustana (62.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.5% at Augustana vs. 24.1% at USD.

Augustana vs. USD Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Augustana and USD? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Augustana College's six-year graduation rate (76%) is higher than University of South Dakota's (47%).
• Graduates from Augustana College earn a median of about $6,900 more per year than USD graduates about ten years after starting college ($55,100 vs. $48,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of South Dakota graduates have a $2,000 lower median loan debt than Augustana graduates ($25,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, USD graduates have an estimated $21 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Augustana graduates ($258 vs. $279).
• More Augustana graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former USD students, three years after graduation. (81% vs. 70%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.