Augsburg University: A Complete Profile & Rankings

Augsburg University: Complete Profile, Rankings and Data

Augsburg University stands as a premier liberal arts institution located in Minneapolis, Minnesota, recognized for its commitment to academic excellence, affordability, and student success. As one of America’s best colleges, Augsburg has earned recognition from Money.com and other leading educational organizations for its exceptional value proposition, combining quality education with accessible pricing and strong post-graduation outcomes.

Overview and History

Founded in 1869 in Marshall, Wisconsin, Augsburg University relocated to Minneapolis in 1872, where it has since established itself as a leading regional institution. The university offers comprehensive undergraduate and graduate programs designed to prepare students for meaningful careers and engaged citizenship. With a student-to-faculty ratio of 14 to 1 and an average class size of 20 students, Augsburg provides a personalized educational experience that emphasizes direct faculty interaction and collaborative learning.

Admissions and Acceptance

Augsburg University maintains selective admissions standards while remaining accessible to diverse student populations. The university evaluates applications holistically, considering academic achievement, standardized test scores, extracurricular involvement, and personal qualities. Prospective students are encouraged to submit their applications through the university’s admissions portal, with early action and regular decision deadlines available throughout the academic year.

Cost of Attendance

Understanding the financial commitment required to attend Augsburg University is essential for prospective students and their families. The total cost of attendance for the 2025-2026 academic year reflects a comprehensive breakdown of expenses:

The median undergraduate tuition at Augsburg University is $43,142, which exceeds the national average for similar institutions by approximately $18,567. While this represents a significant investment, the university’s strong outcomes and financial aid availability make it a compelling option for many students.

Financial Aid and Scholarships

Augsburg University demonstrates a strong commitment to making education accessible through comprehensive financial aid programs. More than 97% of undergraduate day students receive some form of financial aid from the university and external sources, including grants, scholarships, work-study opportunities, and loans.

Financial Aid Statistics (2023-2024)

Freshman Class: Among the 652 freshmen (96.9%) who applied for financial aid, 624 (95.7%) were found to have financial need. Of those with demonstrated need, 624 (100%) received financial aid packages. The average financial aid award totaled $43,951, with 68 students (10.9% of aid recipients) having their full demonstrated need met. On average, the university met 81% of demonstrated financial need.

All Undergraduates: Across the entire undergraduate population, 2,142 students (93.2%) applied for financial aid, with 2,026 applicants (94.6%) determined to have financial need. All applicants with demonstrated need received aid packages, with 265 recipients (13.1%) having their full need met. The average financial aid package reached $41,125, meeting 79% of average demonstrated need. Additionally, 264 undergraduates (11.5%) without demonstrated financial need received merit-based aid averaging $24,862.

Aid Components

Need-Based Aid: The university awarded need-based gifts (grants) to 100% of undergraduates with demonstrated need, averaging $35,818. Need-based self-help, including federal work-study and loans, reached 1,797 students (88.7%), with an average amount of $5,983.

Merit-Based Awards: Augsburg recognizes academic achievement and talent through merit scholarships in numerous fields, including biological sciences, business, communication, computer science, education, English, foreign languages, health fields, international studies, mathematics, physical sciences, religion/biblical studies, and social sciences. Special consideration is given to relatives of clergy and siblings of current students.

Loan Information

The university participates in federal loan programs, including Direct Subsidized Stafford Loans, Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loans, and Direct PLUS Loans. Among 2024 graduates who borrowed, the average indebtedness totaled $31,438, with 67% of graduates having taken out loans. Notably, in 2021, Augsburg maintained a 0% default rate on student loans, with zero defaults among 957 total borrowers.

Academic Programs

Augsburg University offers diverse academic programs across multiple disciplines, with particular strength in several key areas. Among the most popular undergraduate majors are computer science, biology, psychology, marketing, social work, management, finance, and management information systems.

At the graduate level, the university’s most popular master’s degree concentrations include Teacher Education & Professional Development (69 degrees awarded), Social Work (40 degrees), and General Business Administration & Management (36 degrees). Additionally, Augsburg’s Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program ranks fourth among the best DNP programs in the United States, according to Study.com’s 2019 assessment of academic and career resources.

Graduation Rates and Student Success

Augsburg University maintains competitive graduation rates that reflect strong student support systems and academic engagement. The university measures degree completion within six years for both transfer students and first-time students, providing comprehensive insight into student success across different enrollment pathways. These graduation metrics form a key component of Augsburg’s inclusion in Money.com’s rankings of America’s best colleges.

Alumni Earnings and Career Outcomes

Post-graduation earnings represent an important measure of educational value and career preparation. Augsburg tracks early career earnings as the median earnings for both graduates and non-completers approximately 10 years after initial enrollment. This comprehensive approach to measuring outcomes demonstrates the university’s commitment to supporting student success throughout their careers and acknowledges the various paths students take after leaving the institution.

Rankings and Recognition

Augsburg University has earned numerous accolades from respected educational organizations, affirming its commitment to academic excellence and student success.

National Rankings

Money.com Best Colleges: In 2024, Money.com included Augsburg in its showcase of the country’s top 745 colleges, recognizing the institution based on graduation rates, cost of attendance, financial aid, alumni salaries, and exclusive value-added scores for graduation rates, earnings, and student loan repayment.

U.S. News & World Report: Augsburg earned recognition as one of the Best Regional Universities in the Midwest for 2025. The university also ranked third for social mobility and fourth for best undergraduate teaching among regional Midwest universities, while being recognized as one of the most ethnically diverse campuses in the region.

The Princeton Review: In 2023, The Princeton Review named Augsburg one of the Best in the Midwest for academic excellence.

Specialized Recognition

Best Value Schools: Augsburg received multiple designations from Best Value Schools, including placement on The Best Colleges in Minnesota 2025 list for providing quality education and excellence in online and traditional programs. The institution was also ranked #6 on the 2020 list of Best Value Colleges or Universities in Minnesota, based on graduation rates, net price, acceptance rates, and 20-year return on investment.

Fulbright Scholars: In 2023, Augsburg was again named a top producer of Fulbright Scholars among liberal arts colleges nationwide, with 38 Fulbright students since 2007. The university has received recognition from both the Chronicle of Higher Education and the U.S. Department of State for this distinction.

Campus Compact Award: In 2020, Augsburg received the Richard Guarasci Award for Institutional Transformation from Campus Compact, recognizing outstanding work in pursuit of public purposes in higher education.

University Endowment and Financial Health

Augsburg University maintains a stable financial foundation with an endowment valued at nearly $70.8 million as of the end of the 2023 fiscal year. While the endowment generated a return of $83.7k (0.118%) during this period, the institution continues to prioritize long-term financial sustainability and investment in student programs and campus resources.

Diversity and Inclusion

Augsburg University is recognized as a leader in creating an inclusive campus community. The institution’s commitment to diversity is reflected in its ranking as one of the most ethnically diverse campuses among regional Midwest universities. Additionally, Augsburg earned recognition for its third-place ranking for social mobility, demonstrating the university’s dedication to providing educational opportunities for students from diverse socioeconomic backgrounds.

Campus Location and Accessibility

Situated in Minneapolis, Minnesota, Augsburg University benefits from its location in a vibrant metropolitan area. The campus address is 2211 Riverside Avenue, Minneapolis, MN 55454-1351, placing the university in close proximity to cultural institutions, professional networks, and internship opportunities. The institution serves students in Hennepin County and attracts learners from across the United States and internationally.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is the total cost of attendance at Augsburg University?

A: The total cost of attendance for the 2025-2026 academic year is $66,980, including tuition and fees ($46,840), room and board ($15,640), books and supplies ($1,500), and other expenses.

Q: What percentage of students receive financial aid at Augsburg?

A: More than 97% of undergraduate day students receive some form of financial aid from Augsburg University and other sources, combining grants, scholarships, work-study, and loans.

Q: What are the most popular undergraduate majors at Augsburg?

A: The most-declared majors include computer science, biology, psychology, marketing, social work, management, finance, and management information systems.

Q: Does Augsburg offer graduate programs?

A: Yes, Augsburg offers several master’s degree programs and a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program, which ranks fourth nationally among DNP programs.

Q: What recognition has Augsburg received?

A: Augsburg has been included in Money.com’s top 745 colleges, ranked as a Best Regional University in the Midwest by U.S. News & World Report, named Best in the Midwest by The Princeton Review, and recognized as a top producer of Fulbright Scholars.

Q: What is the student-to-faculty ratio at Augsburg?

A: Augsburg maintains a 14 to 1 student-to-faculty ratio with an average class size of 20 students, promoting personalized education and direct faculty engagement.

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medha deb

 

Medha Deb is an editor with a master's degree in Applied Linguistics from the University of Hyderabad. She believes that her qualification has helped her develop a deep understanding of language and its application in various contexts.

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