Augustana University (South Dakota): Tuition, Scholarships & Guide for International Students

Augustana University, known as Augie, is a private Lutheran liberal arts university in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. It is known for nursing, biology and pre-medical studies, business, education, and a close-knit residential campus. Augustana says that all full-time undergraduate international students receive scholarships. Note that it is a different institution from Augustana College in Illinois. This guide covers what international students should know: tuition, scholarships, English requirements, payment plans, life in Sioux Falls, and F-1 and OPT rules.

Quick facts snapshot

• Institution: Augustana University, a private Lutheran university in Sioux Falls, South Dakota
• Not to be confused with: Augustana College in Rock Island, Illinois
• International tuition: about US$41,986 for full-time study (12 to 18 credits a semester)
• Scholarships: all full-time undergraduate international students receive scholarships; merit and need-based aid available
• English: TOEFL, IELTS, or Duolingo accepted
• Payment: due 15 August (fall) and 15 January (spring), with a three-payment plan each semester
• Known for: nursing, biology and pre-medicine, business, and education

Rankings and reputation

Augustana is a small private university and is not highly placed in global rankings, but it is well regarded regionally, especially for nursing and health sciences. Judge it on your programme and net cost after scholarships.

Academics and signature programs

Augustana offers more than 100 majors, minors, and pre-professional programmes, including nursing, biology, chemistry, business administration, education, and psychology, plus some graduate programmes. Class sizes are small. Ask whether your programme includes internships and how pre-medical advising works for international students.

Admissions and international eligibility

Admission is based on academic records and English. International students are considered for scholarships on admission. After admission, you receive an I-20 and apply for an F-1 visa.

English language requirements

• TOEFL, IELTS, or Duolingo accepted; I could not confirm minimum scores
• Nursing and some programmes may require more
• Check Augustana's international admission page
• English support may be available

Application checklist

A typical application includes transcripts, English results, passport details, and financial evidence for the I-20. Ask what scholarship you will receive and whether it renews.

Tuition, living costs, and scholarships

Augustana lists full-time international tuition of about US$41,986 for 12 to 18 credits a semester. Add housing, meals, fees, insurance, and books. Payment is due by 15 August for fall and 15 January for spring, with an optional three-payment plan each semester.

Estimated living costs

• F-1 applicants must show proof of funds covering at least a year of costs
• F-1 rules restrict off-campus work, so plan for little income while studying
• On-campus housing and meal plans offer predictable costs for first-year students
• Health insurance meeting the university's standards is generally required
• Winters can be cold in the northern states, so budget for winter clothing

Scholarships

Augustana says all full-time undergraduate international students receive scholarships, with both merit-based and need-based aid. Ask for your exact award, whether it renews for four years, and the grade point average you must keep.

Campus life and student support

Augustana's campus is in a residential area of Sioux Falls, South Dakota's largest city, with residence halls, sports facilities, and a strong NCAA Division II athletics programme. Sioux Falls has parks, a growing downtown, and a low cost of living. Winters are cold and snowy.

Career outcomes and post-study work rights

Sioux Falls has a strong health care sector, with two large health systems, plus finance and banking employers. Augustana's nursing and health graduates often find work locally. International students face F-1 work limits, so ask about CPT and OPT.

US Optional Practical Training

After completing a US degree, F-1 graduates can apply for Optional Practical Training, which allows up to 12 months of work related to their field, extendable by 24 months for STEM-designated programs. OPT is tied to the degree, so time on a pathway alone does not create post-study work rights. Confirm your program's STEM status with the international office, and check current rules with the US government.

Life in Sioux Falls

Sioux Falls is a safe, growing city of about 200,000, with Falls Park, bike trails, and a low cost of living. It has hot summers and cold, snowy winters, and a car is useful, though buses serve main routes. The regional airport has connections to major US hubs.

Nursing and pre-health

Augustana's nursing programme is well known in the region, and many students prepare for medical or health professional schools. US medical schools admit few international students, so ask Augustana for pre-medical outcomes for international students specifically.

Common mistakes applicants make

Applicants sometimes confuse Augustana University in South Dakota with Augustana College in Illinois, compare sticker prices instead of net costs, or overlook winter clothing costs.

Health insurance and pre-arrival preparation

International students on F-1 visas are generally required to carry health insurance meeting the university's standards. Budget for the SEVIS I-901 fee, the visa fee, and flights, and prepare for a visa interview, whose waiting times vary by country.

What to expect in your first months

The first weeks involve orientation, English placement where needed, and learning how US classes work, with regular assignments and participation. Students who use tutoring and advising early tend to reach progression targets more comfortably.

A realistic budget

If tuition is about US$42,000 and a scholarship covers US$20,000, net tuition would be about US$22,000 plus about US$10,000 to US$12,000 for housing and meals. Get a written estimate.

Questions to ask before you accept an offer

• What scholarship will I receive, and does it renew?
• What is the full cost of attendance?
• Can international students enter the nursing programme?
• How does the payment plan work?
• Is my major STEM-designated for OPT?
• What housing is required for first-year students?

Who Augustana suits best

Augustana suits students who want a small, supportive private university with guaranteed scholarships, strong health programmes, and a low cost of living. It may suit less well students who want a big city or large research university.

Augustana compared with public universities in the Midwest

Public universities may have lower sticker prices but fewer scholarships for international students, while Augustana's scholarships can make its net cost competitive. Compare net costs.

Step-by-step application roadmap

1. Choose your program and confirm entry requirements.
2. Check the English requirement and book a test if needed.
3. Apply with transcripts and passport details.
4. Accept your offer, pay any deposit, and receive your I-20.
5. Apply for your F-1 visa and prepare for the interview.
6. Arrange travel and attend orientation.

Preparing your documents early

Order certified transcripts and translations, arrange financial documents, and check that your passport is valid for the whole study period. Keep written confirmation of program costs, scholarships, and progression terms.

How Augustana compares on cost

Augustana's published tuition of about US$42,000 is similar to many private US universities, but guaranteed scholarships for international students can bring the net cost well below that. Sioux Falls' low living costs help further. Compare net costs, not sticker prices.

Visa and arrival steps

After admission and your deposit, Augustana issues an I-20. You pay the SEVIS fee, book an F-1 visa interview, and plan to arrive before orientation. Keep financial documents showing funds for the full cost of attendance.

Housing and meal plans

Most Augustana students live on campus, and first-year students usually must. Ask about residence halls, meal plans, and costs, and whether you can stay over winter breaks, when some campuses close.

Payment plans

Augustana requires payment by 15 August for fall and 15 January for spring, with an optional three-payment plan each semester. Ask about any fees for the plan and what happens if a payment is late, since this can affect enrolment.

Athletics and campus life

Augustana competes in NCAA Division II athletics, and sports, music, and clubs are central to campus life. International students can join intramural sports and student organisations. Ask about international student associations and events.

Graduate programmes

Augustana offers some graduate programmes, such as nursing and education. Ask which accept international students, whether they are in person, and whether any are STEM-designated.

English support

If your English is close to the requirement, ask Augustana whether it offers conditional admission or English support, and which tests and scores it accepts.

Frequently asked questions