Augustana College: Liberal Arts Excellence in Illinois
Discover Augustana College: A premier liberal arts institution offering 100+ majors and transformative student experiences.
Augustana College: A Premier Liberal Arts Institution
Augustana College stands as a distinguished private liberal arts and sciences institution located along the Mississippi River in Rock Island, Illinois. Founded in 1860 by Swedish university graduates, the college has maintained its commitment to providing a transformative educational experience for nearly 165 years. With an enrollment of approximately 2,500 students and a faculty exceeding 300 members, Augustana has established itself as a leader in undergraduate liberal arts education in the Midwest.
The college’s beautiful 115-acre campus features hilly, wooded terrain adjacent to the Mississippi River, creating an inspiring environment for academic and personal growth. This picturesque setting provides students with breathtaking river views while maintaining proximity to the cultural offerings of the Quad Cities region.
Academic Programs and Curriculum
Augustana offers an impressive array of over 100 academic programs across diverse disciplines, including accounting, applied mathematics, art, computer science, journalism, theatre studies, international business, and graphic design. The college awards only bachelor of arts degrees, maintaining a rigorous commitment to liberal arts education while offering curricular options in education, business, medicine, and the sciences.
The college’s curriculum has evolved thoughtfully over its history, with the faculty approving nine college-wide student-learning outcomes in 2012. These outcomes are organized within three broad categories: intellectual sophistication, interpersonal maturity, and intrapersonal conviction. Every Augustana graduate is expected to demonstrate competency in disciplinary knowledge, critical thinking, information literacy, quantitative literacy, collaborative leadership, intercultural competency, communication competency, creative thinking, ethical citizenship, and intellectual curiosity.
General Education Requirements
The college’s commitment to liberal arts is reflected in comprehensive general education requirements. Students engage in courses across a broad range of fields and meet specific academic requirements including writing, quantitative reasoning, foreign language study, fine arts, humanities, natural sciences, and social sciences. Each student must complete at least one major field of study and conclude their education with a Senior Inquiry capstone project, where they work directly with a faculty mentor in their major discipline.
Student Support and Success Programs
Augustana provides extensive support services designed to enhance student success both academically and personally. The college offers a reading and writing center, career center, and comprehensive tutoring through the CORE program, which helps students develop critical skills in writing, speaking, and presenting.
One of Augustana’s standout initiatives is Augie Choice, which provides each student with $2,000 to support study abroad experiences, research projects, internships, or creative endeavors. Additionally, the CORE program offers step-by-step advising for academic planning, community service engagement, and career and graduate school preparation.
Admissions Information
Application Deadlines and Options
Augustana College maintains a rolling admissions policy, accepting applications throughout the academic year. The college offers multiple application pathways to meet diverse student needs:
- Early Decision (binding acceptance) with a deadline of November 1
- Early Action (non-binding) with a deadline of November 1
- Fall Regular Decision with an application deadline of August 20 and a reply deadline of June 1
Admitted Student Profile
Recent admitted student statistics indicate strong academic qualifications among the incoming class. The middle 50% of admitted students achieved a 1210 SAT score, while the acceptance rate stands at approximately 26%, reflecting the college’s selective admissions process.
Campus Life and Residential Experience
Augustana College fosters a vibrant campus community characterized by close-knit relationships and a strong sense of belonging. Students frequently describe the campus atmosphere as welcoming and inclusive, with professors and staff demonstrating genuine care for student well-being and academic success.
The college’s location within the Quad Cities provides students with exceptional cultural opportunities. The surrounding area offers Mississippi riverfront views, yearly festivals, and various cultural events that enrich the student experience beyond the classroom.
Athletic Programs
Augustana maintains a robust athletic program serving both men and women. The college sponsors the following varsity teams:
- Men’s sports: Baseball, Basketball, Cross Country, Football, Golf, Lacrosse, Soccer, Swimming, Tennis, Track and Field, Volleyball, and Wrestling
- Women’s sports: Basketball, Bowling, Cross Country, Golf, Lacrosse, Soccer, Softball, Swimming, Tennis, Track and Field, and Volleyball
Mission and Values
Deeply rooted in the liberal arts tradition and affiliated with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, Augustana College is committed to offering a challenging education that develops qualities of mind, spirit, and body. The college’s mission emphasizes preparing students to discern their life’s calling and pursue leadership and service in a diverse and changing world.
As a community dedicated to diversity, equity, and inclusion, Augustana prizes interfaith engagement, commitment to justice, spiritual exploration, reasoned examination, and vocational discernment. The college ensures freedom of academic inquiry and expression as fundamental principles guiding its educational mission.
Career Outcomes and Graduate Success
Augustana College demonstrates exceptional success in preparing students for their professional futures. The college boasts a consistent 99% career placement rate for new graduates, with 93% of surveyed graduate students (class of 2024) gaining acceptance into one of their top two graduate school choices. This outstanding track record reflects the quality of academic preparation and career mentoring provided throughout the student’s educational journey.
Unique Campus Resources
Beyond its academic programs, Augustana features several distinctive facilities that enhance the learning experience. The campus includes the Fryxell Geology Museum, the John Deere Planetarium, and the Swenson Swedish Immigration Research Center, which honors the college’s Swedish heritage and immigrant legacy.
Additionally, the college operates the Collinson Ecological Preserve and Green Wing Environmental Laboratory, providing nearly 500 acres of research and teaching land for hands-on scientific inquiry and environmental education.
Study Abroad Opportunities
Augustana operates comprehensive study-abroad programs across multiple continents, including Asia, Europe, Latin America, and Israel. These programs provide students with transformative international experiences that broaden their perspectives and deepen their understanding of global cultures and issues.
Notable Alumni
Augustana’s distinguished alumni include Daniel C. Tsui, who shared the Nobel Prize for Physics in 1998, exemplifying the caliber of scholarship and achievement fostered by the institution.
Community Engagement
The college is committed to offering its programs and resources to local and regional communities as an extension of its mission. Faculty expertise and institutional initiatives support the broader Quad Cities area, strengthening connections between the campus and surrounding communities.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How many majors does Augustana College offer?
A: Augustana offers over 100 academic programs across humanities, fine arts, natural sciences, social sciences, and pre-professional fields including engineering, law, and medicine.
Q: What is the acceptance rate at Augustana College?
A: The acceptance rate at Augustana College is approximately 26%, making it a selective institution that attracts academically qualified applicants.
Q: What is Augie Choice?
A: Augie Choice is a $2,000 grant available to each student to support study abroad, research, internships, or creative projects that align with their educational and professional goals.
Q: Does Augustana offer online classes?
A: Yes, Augustana College offers online classes as well as online undergraduate degree options to provide flexible learning opportunities.
Q: What are the career outcomes for Augustana graduates?
A: Augustana maintains a 99% career placement rate for new graduates, with 93% of graduate students accepted into one of their top two graduate schools.
Q: Is Augustana College affiliated with a religious organization?
A: Yes, Augustana College is affiliated with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and maintains Lutheran values while welcoming students of all faiths.
Q: What is the student population size?
A: Augustana College has an enrollment of approximately 2,500 students and employs a faculty of more than 300 members.
Q: What distinguishes Augustana’s curriculum?
A: Augustana emphasizes a comprehensive liberal arts education with nine college-wide student-learning outcomes, general education requirements across multiple disciplines, and a Senior Inquiry capstone project completed with faculty mentorship.
References
- Augustana College – Rock Island, IL — Appily.com. Accessed November 29, 2025. https://www.appily.com/colleges/augustana-college
- Augustana College (Illinois) | World University Rankings — Times Higher Education. Accessed November 29, 2025. https://www.timeshighereducation.com/world-university-rankings/augustana-college-illinois
- Augustana College – Private, Liberal Arts, Lutheran — Britannica. Last updated 2024. https://www.britannica.com/topic/Augustana-College-Rock-Island-Illinois
- Augustana College (Illinois) — Wikipedia. Accessed November 29, 2025. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Augustana_College_(Illinois)
- An overview of Augustana College – 2025-26 Academic Catalog — Augustana College Official Website. Updated July 3, 2025. https://www.augustana.edu/academics/catalog/overview
- Augustana College – Illinois — Niche. Accessed November 29, 2025. https://www.niche.com/colleges/augustana-college-illinois/
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