Understanding Augustana University's Tuition, Fees, and Financial Aid

Augustana University, a private institution founded in 1860, offers a transformative educational experience. Understanding the costs associated with attending, including tuition, fees, and other expenses, is crucial for prospective students and their families. This article provides a comprehensive overview of Augustana University's tuition fees, covering undergraduate and graduate programs, as well as available financial aid options.

Undergraduate Tuition and Fees

Direct Costs

The annual tuition to attend Augustana University is $38,150. The cost is the same for both in-state and out-of-state students.

For the 2020-2021 academic year, combined tuition and fees for undergraduates amounted to $35,914, comprising $34,934 for tuition and $980 in fees. South Dakota residents do not receive a tuition discount. Augustana University's tuition and fees represent the charges levied on students for one year of attendance, excluding room and board.

Indirect Costs

Indirect costs are estimated expenses not billed directly to a student’s university account but are still part of college life. These include books and supplies, transportation, and personal or miscellaneous expenses.

For undergraduates, these indirect costs are estimated as follows:

Read also: Applying to Augustana College

Books & Supplies: $1,000 per year
Transportation: $2,374 per year
Personal/Misc. Expenses: $4,316 per year
Average Loan Fees: $72

The total estimated indirect cost for undergraduates is $7,762.

Room and Board

On-campus room and board is provided by the school at a cost of $9,470 per academic year. If living on-campus, students should budget for $6,480 in additional living expenses.

Augustana University offers various campus housing options with varying costs per semester and academic year:

Hall double/triple (Westerlin, Erickson, Seminary, and Andreen halls): $3,220 per semester ($6,440 per academic year)
Deluxe double/triple (A double or triple with a bathroom): $3,756 per semester ($7,512 per academic year)
Hall single (Westerlin, Erickson, Seminary, and Andreen halls): $4,348 per semester ($8,696 per academic year)
Deluxe single (A single with a private bathroom): $4,718 per semester ($9,436 per academic year)
Transitional Living Area (TLA) double (TLA with shared double or triple occupancy bedrooms, available starting junior year): $4,348 per semester ($8,696 per academic year)
TLA single (TLA with private bedrooms): $4,949 per semester ($9,898 per academic year)

All students residing in campus housing for the academic year will have a housing deposit of $150 charged to their student bill.

Meal plans are optional for TLA students, while other students have several on-campus options:

Gerber Unlimited: 20 retail swipes and $75 Viking Bucks - $3,503 per semester ($7,006 per academic year)
Full Meal Plan: 19 meals per week - $3,211 per semester ($6,422 per academic year)
Any 15 Plus**: 15 meals per week plus $110 Viking bucks - $3,211 per semester ($6,422 per academic year)
Any 12 Plus: 12 meals per week plus $250 Viking bucks - $3,211 per semester ($6,422 per academic year)

Off-campus options (available only to TLA residents and commuters):

Any 10: 10 meals per week - $1,656 per semester ($3,312 per academic year)
Any 100: 100 meals plus $50 Viking bucks - $1,188
Any 80: 80 meals plus $235 Viking bucks - $1,188

First- and second-year students living in standard housing will automatically be assigned the Any 15 Plus meal plan, but they can choose a different on-campus option by contacting Dining Services.

Estimated Total Cost

CollegeSimply has modeled example payment coverage for the annual tuition and living expenses of $56,140.

Graduate Tuition and Fees

Graduate programs at Augustana University are offered in various formats, and tuition and fee rates vary by program.

MBA Program (2026-2027)

For new entrants into the MBA program for 2026-27, the direct costs are:

Tuition: $490 per credit
Student Fee: $65 per credit
MBA Program Fee: $495 (one-time, non-refundable)
International Student Fee: $500 (one-time, non-refundable)

Indirect costs for the MBA program are estimated as:

Books & Supplies: $1,000
Housing & Food: $12,290
Transportation: $2,374
Personal/Misc. Expenses: $7,552
Average Loan Fees: $72
Total Indirect Cost: $23,288
International Student Health Insurance Fee: $2,150

Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD) Program

The tuition effective Fall 2026 for the OTD program is $51,500 annually, totaling $103,000 for the program. The Augustana General Graduate Fee (administrative support services, counseling and student support, technology resources, etc.) is $2,000 per year ($667 per trimester), totaling $4,000 for the program.

Total Year One Direct Costs: $53,500

Total Year Two Direct Costs: $53,500

Total Program Direct Costs: $107,000

Indirect costs for the OTD program include:

AOTA Student Membership: $78/year ($156 total)
State Association (of choice) Membership: $35 - $100** ($70 - $200**)
Background Check & Drug Screen: $117.50 - $238.50** ($117.50 - $238.50**)
Minnesota Background Check: $55 - $95** ($55 - $95**)
Site-Specific Additional Background Check & Drug Screen: $50 - $200** ($50 - $400**)
AHA CPR/BLS Training: $50 - $100** ($50 - $200**)
OTD Fieldwork & Lab Kit: $300 (one time)** ($300**)
All Required Digital Program Textbooks (as of April 2025): $3,720** ($3,720**)
NBCOT Licensure Preparation Materials: $200 - $400** ($400 - 800**)
Fieldwork/Capstone Uniform: $300 (one time)** ($300**)
Student Health Insurance (Estimate based on average Health Insurance Marketplace® rates): $2,189/year ** ($4,378**)
Computer(Must meet program requirements): $1,500** ($1,500**)
Educational Applications & Software: $50 - $200** ($100 - $400**)
Lodging, food, travel to/from orientation, lab immersions and commencement (Cost varies based on students proximity to the Sioux Falls campus and Twin Cities lab immersion site): $700 - $3,650 per trip** ($4,900 - $25,550**)
Lodging, food, travel to/from fieldwork and Capstone: $0 - $6,600 per 12- or 14-week experience** ($0 - $19,800**)

Total Indirect Costs: $16,062 - $57,870**

Total Cost of Program Completion: $119,062 - $160,870**

CSD Masters (Academic Year)

Tuition and fees for the CSD Masters program are:

Total: $35,550
Summer: $7,110
Fall: $14,220
Spring: $14,220

Financial Aid and Affordability

Augustana University is committed to making education accessible. A significant portion of students receive financial aid in the form of grants, scholarships, and loans.

Financial Aid Statistics

100% of full-time undergraduate students receive scholarships, grants, or both.
54.72% of students receive financial aid.
The average aid package awarded is $39,995.

In 2019/2020, 100% of full-time undergraduates at Augustana University received financial aid in the form of grants, scholarships, and fellowships from the institution or from Federal, State, or local government agencies. This aid averaged $27,925 per student during the 2019/2020 school year.

Grants and Scholarships

Grant and scholarship aid does not need to be paid back. The average Pell Grant awarded for 2019/2020 was $4,796. To apply for a Pell Grant to attend Augustana University, the first step is to fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

The average need-based scholarship or grant award is $34,036. Non-need-based aid averages $25,054.

Net Price

The average reported annual net price for Augustana University for students receiving grants or scholarship aid was $25,280 in 2019/2020. The net price provides a more realistic estimate of the true cost of attending Augustana University, once common grants and scholarships have been taken into account. It's important to note that your net price will fluctuate based on factors such as family income, assets, and individual financial need.

The net price you pay for a particular college is specific to you because it’s based on your personal circumstances and the college’s financial aid policies. Use the college’s Net Price calculator for the most accurate estimate of your net price.

Student Loans

To gauge a more realistic picture of what it really could cost you out of pocket to go to Augustana University, we've modeled a ten year student loan with an original principal value of $101,120. The loan balance of $101,120 is a four year multiple of the $25,280 average net price. This is a estimate of what you could owe upon graduation if you were to qualify for average financial aid and what a degree really may cost. Should you not qualify for financial aid, you may owe significantly more when you graduate. Based on these assumptions, a monthly repayment of $1,150 could be required to pay off your student loan. Please note that financial aid is not guaranteed and is only available for qualifying students. Federal Student Loans are not grants and must be repaid with interest.

In order to afford student loan payments and still meet all your other costs of living, it is recommended not to borrow more than you can pay back using 10% of your monthly income earned after graduation. If you're considering attending Augustana University, should consider if it will be realistic to make the post graduation loan payments based on your expected salary.

The typical amount of loans a student must pay back is $34,734.

Payment Plans and Due Dates

Students will be billed prior to the start of each semester for tuition, housing, and meal plans. Payment is expected in full by the published due date unless the family utilizes the monthly payment plan offered through Transact Campus. Enrollment is not complete until these fees have been paid.

Billing and bill payment dates, fall 2025:

Bills will be posted to Arches on Aug. 1, 2025
Payment for the fall semester will be due on Aug. 22, 2025

Billing and bill payment dates, spring 2026:

Bills will be posted to Arches on Jan. 7, 2026
Payment for the spring semester will be due on Jan. 28, 2026

A non-refundable tuition deposit is required of all students new to campus by May 1. All financial obligations to the college must be met and all borrowed college property must be returned before academic records (diplomas and transcripts of grades) will be released.

Additional Fees

Augustana University has various additional fees for specific situations:

Applied music fees:
- First half-hour lesson each semester (1 credit): $515
- Additional half-hour lesson each semester (1 credit): $325
- One credit: $515; 2 credits: $840; 3 credits: $1,165; 4 credits: $1,490
- Chamber music fee: $105 each semester of participation in chamber music courses.
Health care/clinic fee: $160
Late registration and add/drop fee: $80 per section, plus an additional $20 for every week beyond the published deadlines.
Late petition processing fee: $25 per day for academic petition requests submitted beyond communicated or published deadlines.
Instrument rental fee: $85 per semester
High-maintenance instrument rental fee: $130 per semester (includes bassoons, harp and string bass)
Business Office late payment fee: 1.0% on any outstanding balance after the statement due date, with an additional 1% applied every 30 days until the bill is paid in full.
Application for Graduation fees: $105 for undergraduate and $125 for graduate students.
Special examination fee: $220 per credit
Automobile registration fee (annual charge):
- Full year decal: $235 (includes J-term)
- Semester decal: $135 (14 weeks)
- A partial semester: $80 (7 weeks)
- J-term only: $45 (if full year is not purchased)
Transcript fees: available through Office of the Registrar

Tuition Registration Course Load, Tuition Overload and Credit Reuse Policies

Augustana’s degree is designed to be completed in four years (eight semesters). Full-time tuition per academic year covers up to 34 credits, which includes Fall, Spring, and one January term (J-term).

Full-Time Enrollment

Full-time status requires at least 12 credits in a semester. J-term credits do not count toward full-time status for Fall.

Maximum Enrollment Per Semester

Students may enroll in up to 18 credits per semester. To enroll in more than 18, see the Registration Surplus Policy.

Part-Time Enrollment

Part-time students pay per-credit hour and are not eligible for J-term if part-time in Fall.

J-Term Enrollment

Students registered full-time in Fall may take one J-term course per year at no extra tuition cost (program/travel fees may still apply). Most are 4 credits, but some may vary. J-term credits count toward the 34-credit academic year limit, and students cannot enroll only in J-term.

Overload Fees

Overload fees apply if students go over the credit limits covered by full-time tuition. Limits vary depending on how many semesters the student has attended and their enrollment pattern. The following limitations apply for students enrolling in just one semester:

Students who have completed fewer than 8 full-time semesters who enroll in just one semester:
- Fall only: Up to 17 credits
- Fall + J-term: Up to 17 credits total (13 in Fall + 4 in J-term)
- Spring only: Up to 17 credits
Students with at least 8 full-time semesters who enroll in just one semester:
- Fall only: Up to 18 credits
- Fall + J-term: Up to 20 credits total (16 in Fall + 4 in J-term)
- Spring only: Up to 18 credits

Credits dropped before the reuse deadline do not count toward the 34-credit limit, while credits dropped after the reuse deadline still count toward the 34-credit limit.

Students studying away are held to the same limits.

Special Exceptions

Students hired as campus tutors in credit-bearing training will not be charged overload fees. MULS private lessons do not count in overload. Certain zero or .25 credit internships may also be exempt (see Internship Policy).

Payment and Appeals

Overload and per-credit tuition rates are published in the Schedule of Student Charges. Overload fees are billed in week 8 of the spring semester. Unused credits cannot roll over to summer or future years.

Students who wish to appeal must submit the Overload Appeal Form at least one week before the credit reuse deadline.

Augustana University's Value Proposition

Augustana University consistently receives high rankings, reflecting its commitment to academic excellence and value. In the 2026 edition of Best Colleges, Augustana University is ranked No. #7 in Regional Universities Midwest and No. #1 in Best Value Schools.

To make a comparative assessment if Augustana University is worth the price, measures of it's relative value for tuition dollar can be examined. CollegeSimply has calculated an academic national percentile rating of 63.24/100 for Augustana University. Considering an average net price paid of $25,280, this leads to an overall value ranking of 61/100.

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