Rock Island, IL · Private University
Is Augustana College Worth It?
ROI analysis based on real earnings and cost data
Key Numbers
10-Year Earnings
$62,971
median, 10 years after enrollment
In-State Tuition
$49,834
per year
Out-of-State Tuition
$49,834
per year
Total 4-Year Cost
$199,336
tuition only (4 years)
ROI Ratio
1.26x
earnings ÷ annual tuition
Payback Period
7.1 yrs
years to recoup total cost
Graduation Rate
79.2%
6-year graduation rate
Median Debt
$27,000
at graduation
Avg Net Price
$12,437
after aid & scholarships
Earnings vs. Annual Cost
10-year median earnings compared to annual tuition
Augustana College graduates earn $17,971 more than the national median of workers with any education level.
What You'd Actually Pay
Average net price after grants and scholarships, by family income
Source: IPEDS net price data. Actual costs vary based on individual financial circumstances.
Highest-Earning Majors
Top programs at Augustana College ranked by graduate earnings
54 graduates
28 graduates
163 graduates
23 graduates
34 graduates
Earnings shown are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 1-year medians.
ROI by Major at Augustana College
All available majors ranked by graduate earnings. Your major matters as much as your school.
Your major matters more than your school
At Augustana College, the gap between the highest-earning major (Accounting and Related Services: $72,612) and the lowest (Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft: $20,326) is $52,286/yr, bigger than the difference between many schools.
| Major | Earnings | ROI |
|---|---|---|
| Accounting and Related ServicesBest ROI | $72,612 | 1.5x |
| Computer Science | $68,248 | 1.4x |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $67,269 | 1.4x |
| Engineering Physics(1yr data) | $54,165 | 1.1x |
| Political Science and Government | $53,548 | 1.1x |
| Communication and Media Studies | $52,732 | 1.1x |
| Biology, General | $51,641 | 1.0x |
| Psychology, General | $50,244 | 1.0x |
| Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics | $47,965 | 1.0x |
| Natural Resources Conservation and Research | $46,929 | 0.9x |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas | $45,024 | 0.9x |
| Sociology | $43,344 | 0.9x |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $41,798 | 0.8x |
| Neurobiology and Neurosciences | $40,940 | 0.8x |
| Geography and Cartography(1yr data) | $40,683 | 0.8x |
| Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology(1yr data) | $38,436 | 0.8x |
| International Business(1yr data) | $37,350 | 0.8x |
| Communication, Journalism, and Related Programs, Other(1yr data) | $30,104 | 0.6x |
| Drama/Theatre Arts and StagecraftLowest(1yr data) | $20,326 | 0.4x |
Earnings are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 5-year or 1-year. ROI = earnings ÷ annual tuition.
How It Compares
ROI at similar schools
| School | ROI Ratio | Earnings | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| Augustana College | 1.26x | $62,971 | Average ROI |
| North Central College | 1.35x | $60,123 | Average ROI |
| Coe College | 1.09x | $57,125 | Average ROI |
| Lebanon Valley College | 1.24x | $62,621 | Average ROI |
| Millikin University | 1.17x | $51,262 | Average ROI |
| Luther College | 1.19x | $59,850 | Average ROI |
The Bottom Line
Augustana College delivers returns in line with the national college average. Graduates earn $62,971 10 years after starting, $17,971 above the national median of $45,000. Graduates typically break even on their investment within 7.1 years, a reasonable timeline.
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Earnings data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Tuition data from IPEDS. ROI calculations are for informational purposes only and reflect median outcomes.