Augustana College
College Profile
Our Campus
Augustana College is a private, selective liberal arts college located on a 115-acre campus near the Mississippi River in the Quad Cities metropolitan area (population 375,000). Visitors rave about the beautiful wooded campus, with its rolling, river valley landscape and winding pathways along the slough. It truly is an oasis within the city of Rock Island, Illinois.
At Augustana, you'll find so many opportunities that make us stand out, and allow you to fit in. Academic programs connect with a full array of co-curricular activities, international study, leadership development, community service, athletics, arts, recreation, spiritual growth and an energetic social life. Augustana's award-winning Office of Student Activities presents nearly 300 programs each year, with events ranging from concerts and movies to seminars on leadership, diversity and life skills.
As a residential campus, Augustana promotes students' learning and well-being through a balanced, gradual approach to independent living. After two years making connections on campus by living in the residence halls, Augustana juniors can choose to live in the college's apartment-style housing around the edge of campus before moving into the broader community.
Our Curriculum
Augustana students are well-rounded individuals: in high school, they've done everything from kicking up their heels in Greek dance troupes to starting their own businesses. This is why our admissions process focuses on you—your priorities, your potential and your dreams. At Augustana, you'll develop strong academic relationships that recognize your talents and promote your ability to make an impact. No matter your areas of interest, you'll find a home among 70+ majors and related academic programs, and 150+ student organizations.
Augustana's academic program is distinguished by a self-selected liberal arts curriculum that—combined with co-curricular opportunities and close faculty support—will empower your major studies. In your junior or senior year, our unique Augie Choice can support you with up to $2,000 toward a high-impact, hands-on learning experience you'll choose to set you directly on your career path. The Augustana academic experience culminates in Senior Inquiry, a project that demonstrates and further develops your knowledge and skills, and enhances your success in career and community.
About 40% of our students spend time living and learning off campus through international study. Augustana offers a variety of programs in destinations around the world, including Australia, Austria, China, Ecuador, France, Germany, Guatemala, Italy, Nicaragua, Spain, Sweden, Vietnam, West Africa and more.
Our Community
The diversity of the Quad Cities offers something for every student's talents and interests: from internships in global corporations or local businesses and not-for-profits, to an astounding array of social opportunities and cultural experiences—including the arts, athletics, ethnic festivals and social outreach.
Local internship hosts include Deere & Company, Trinity Regional Health System, professional teams in hockey, baseball and arena football, as well as numerous social service organizations. Augustana students serve as mentors to neighborhood children, assist in elementary schools and serve as translators for families in the Mexican-American community of the nearby Floreciente neighborhood. Through these programs and many others, hundreds of Augustana students offer their energy, insight and talents to the Quad-Cities community.
Successful Outcomes
One third of Augustana's students attend graduate school. Ninety-seven percent of graduates report having jobs or being enrolled in graduate or professional degree programs shortly after graduation.
Augustana alumni are members of Congress, college presidents, CEOs of Fortune 500 companies, humanitarians, parents, mentors, teachers, coaches, community leaders and so much more. They're working at places like the Quad Cities' own Deere & Company and around the globe for organizations such as the U.S. Olympic Committee, in international embassies and for the U.S. Senate, to name a few. They've won prestigious awards including the Nobel Prize and Fulbright scholarships.
Viking fast facts
Who we are
A selective, private liberal arts and sciences college affiliated with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA). Founded in 1860 by Swedish graduates of the universities of Uppsala and Lund.
Academic programs
More than 70 majors and related areas of study in the arts and sciences and pre-professional programs, leading to the bachelor of arts degree.
Learning environment
Close and collaborative, with a student-to-faculty ratio of 11-to-1 and an average class size of 22; all classes taught by faculty (no graduate teaching assistants).
Student profile
2,500 students from varied social, ethnic, religious and geographic backgrounds, representing more than two-thirds of the United States and approximately 20 countries.
Campus life
Music ensembles, theatre, debate, publications, broadcasting, student government, local fraternities and sororities; variety of professional, religious, departmental, political, social and service organizations.
Athletics
12 men's and 11 women's varsity teams that compete in the College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin (CCIW) and NCAA Division III; dozens of intramural and recreational programs. The Vikings have won 174 CCIW team championships—more than any other school in the league—and four NCAA Division III team championships, and have qualified more than 250 teams for national competition. Nearly 30 athletes have earned the prestigious NCAA Postgraduate Scholarship, and Augustana ranks sixth among all U.S. colleges and universities in all-time total number of Academic All-Americans.
Accessibility
95% of students receive financial assistance; more than $31 million awarded annually from various sources, including Augustana scholarships.
Success
97% success rate in graduate programs and full-time positions after graduation; 88% of alumni indicate that Augustana major relates directly or indirectly to current career.
Editorial provided by Debbie Layock, Office of Communication and Marketing at Augustana College.
