How to get into Augustana University
How to get into Augustana (South Dakota): a small Lutheran liberal arts college with strong pre-health and substantial merit aid
67.8%
Acceptance rate
$40,160
In-state cost
What makes Augustana University admissions different
Augustana University in Sioux Falls, South Dakota is a small (~2,000 undergrad) private Lutheran liberal arts university with established pre-health, education, and music programs. Augustana admits around 68% of applicants. The honest story at this Augustana is regional reach, Lutheran identity, and a substantial merit-aid pipeline that effectively determines net cost. Note: there is also an Augustana College in Rock Island, Illinois — these are different schools.
What an actually competitive application looks like
- 1.
Apply through the Common App or Augustana's direct application. Early Action is non-binding and gives the earliest decision and best scholarship consideration.
- 2.
Confirm which Augustana you mean. Augustana University (Sioux Falls, SD) and Augustana College (Rock Island, IL) are different institutions with different applications.
- 3.
Pick the right program. Augustana's pre-health pipeline (nursing, pre-med, pre-PA), music programs (the Conservatory of Music), and education tracks each have their own framing.
- 4.
Music applicants: schedule the audition. Augustana's music programs are audition-based and the audition is part of admission for performance tracks.
- 5.
Apply for merit scholarships. Augustana's Presidential, Regents, and Founders scholarships are stacked with admission for early applicants and substantially reduce sticker price for most admits.
- 6.
Schedule a campus visit if possible. Augustana values demonstrated interest and the Sioux Falls campus is part of the pitch.
Common mistakes that hurt applicants here
- ✕
Confusing Augustana University (SD) with Augustana College (IL).
- ✕
Missing Early Action and the priority merit consideration.
- ✕
Skipping the music audition when applying to a performance program.
- ✕
Underestimating the regional reach. Augustana draws heavily from the Upper Midwest — applicants from outside the region should plan for the cultural fit question.
The specifics for Augustana University
What makes this admissions process distinctive
Conservatory of Music and audition-based admission
The Conservatory of Music admits performance students through audition with separate scholarship consideration for music majors.
Pre-health pipeline and Center for Western Studies
Augustana's pre-med, pre-PA, and nursing programs have established placement records, and the Center for Western Studies anchors the school's regional historical research.
Augustana Possible (need-met aid commitment)
An institutional commitment to meeting demonstrated financial need for many admitted students through a combination of grants, merit aid, and federal aid.
What graduates actually do
Augustana University (Sioux Falls, SD — the Lutheran institution, distinct from Augustana College in Illinois) graduates concentrate in healthcare, education, and business across the upper Midwest. Sanford Health and Avera Health, the dominant regional hospital systems, are major employers. The university also has strong pre-medical and nursing pipelines into South Dakota and Minnesota medical schools.
Notable alumni
- Tom Daschle — Politics (US Senate Majority Leader)
- Pat Lindgren — Business
Transfer pathway
Augustana accepts transfers on a rolling basis. The university has articulation agreements with South Dakota technical institutes and community colleges, including Southeast Technical College in Sioux Falls. A minimum 2.5 GPA is generally required; transfer scholarships are available.
Specifics verified 2026-05-18 from the school's own admissions page + Common App. Always confirm current-year details directly on the school site before applying.
If you're on the bubble
If you have a B+ transcript and an interest in pre-health, music, or education at a small Lutheran college, Augustana is a likely admit and likely affordable after merit aid. The honest decision is fit (small, Lutheran, Upper Midwest) and whether the South Dakota location works for your post-grad plans.
Next steps
Last updated: November 2025. Acceptance rate and cost data refreshed nightly from college reporting.