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Augustana University Admission Requirements

Sioux Falls, South Dakota

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Your chances of getting into Augustana University

Admission Rate & Difficulty

Percent Admitted 

65.8%
Admission Difficulty for Augustana University
Measure Difficulty
Admission Standards Challenging 
Applicant Competition Low 

Acceptance Rate

The acceptance rate at Augustana University is 65.8%.  Its admission rate is the lowest in South Dakota.

Admission Selectivity

How hard is it to get into Augustana University and can you get accepted?

Augustana University is a moderately competitive school to get into. You have a strong chance of acceptance if you meet the criteria. Last year, 2,069 out of the 3,145 who applied were admitted.

Augustana University typically accepts and attracts "A-" average high school students with an average GPA around 3.76. Most incoming freshmen graduate in the top quarter of their high school class. 27% of those admitted chose to enroll in the school.

Can you get into Augustana University?

66% are accepted, can you get in? Use the admission calculator to see if you have the grades and test scores needed to get in. See your admission chances based on your extracurriculars, intended major, background, and more.

Calculate your admission chances
Calculate your admission chances

Admission Requirements in Brief

To have the best chance of getting into to Augustana University you should:

  • Have a high school GPA of 3.76 or better
  • Earn A- grades in high school
  • Score 1220 on the SAT
  • Score 24 on the ACT
  • Graduate in the top 25% of your high school class

Augustana University GPA

GPA Requirements & Average GPA

Avg. High School GPA 

3.76

Typical High School Grades 

A-

What GPA do you need to get into Augustana University?

GPA Requirements

The GPA requirements for getting into Augustana University are to have around a 3.76 high school GPA. You are required to have exceptionally good grades and you should be graduating near the top of your class.

If your high school GPA meets these requirements, there is a good chance you will be accepted as Augustana University accepts 66% of students who apply.

Average GPA

The average unweighted GPA at Augustana University is 3.76 on the 4.0 scale. 33% of students who get in have perfect 4.0 GPA's in high school. To achieve the average GPA for admission, you need to earn A- letter grades and regularly score around 90-92 percent on tests and assignments in high school.  The school ranks #2 in South Dakota for highest average GPA.

Importance of GPA

Since Augustana University is a test optional college, extra focus will be placed on your GPA when the school considers your application. As a result, it is very important that you meet the GPA requirements.

See additional colleges accepting applicants in the 3.8 GPA range.

Competitiveness by GPA Ranges

The table below outlines the number of admitted freshmen by GPA range as well as how competitive your GPA will be as compared with other applicants.

High School GPA's for admitted Augustana University students
High School GPA Freshmen Within Range Competitiveness 
4.0 33.0% Good
3.75 to 3.99 30.0% Avg
3.50 to 3.74 16.0% Avg -
3.25 to 3.49 8.0% Reach
3.00 to 3.24 5.0% Reach
2.50 to 2.99 7.0% Reach
2.00 to 2.49 1.0% Low
1.00 to 1.99 0% Low
less than 1.00 0% Low

 What do these chances mean?

GPA Data Source, Peterson's Data 2022

Calculate My Chances 

Augustana University SAT Scores

Testing Requirements

Submission of SAT or ACT scores is not required for admission to Augustana University. If you optionally submit test scores, they will be considered with your application, but they are not mandatory. 7% of students submitted SAT scores and 66% submitted ACT scores for admission for the most recent academic year..

SAT Requirements & Average SAT Score

SAT Range 

1110-1325

Applicants Submitting SAT 

7%
SAT Scores for Augustana University
SAT Test 25th Percentile Score
Reading 25th Percentile 540
Math 25th Percentile 570
Composite 25th Percentile 1110
SAT Scores for Augustana University
SAT Test 75th Percentile Score
Reading 75th Percentile 625
Math 75th Percentile 700
Composite 75th Percentile 1325
Average SAT Score 1220

SAT Scores you need to get in

What are the SAT requirements for you to be admitted to Augustana University?

Average Score & Range

The average SAT score at Augustana University is 1220 out of 1600 and the range for the middle 50% of accepted students is 1110-1325. Students who get into Augustana University score in the top 39 percent of all SAT test takers..  Augustana University ranks #2 in the state of South Dakota for highest average SAT composite score.

Score for Acceptance

You should target scoring 1220 or above to be most competitive with other applicants. Augustana University regularly admits students with SAT scores down to 1110 on a 1600 scale. However, three quarter of admitted students score higher. If you score below a 1110, admission should be considered a reach. Some students may be accepted with minimum SAT's as low as 1000, but scores this low are outside the normal range.

Score Submission Requirements

Augustana University is a test optional school meaning do not have to submit SAT scores with your application. The position on SAT scores from the college is "not required for admission, but considered if submitted (test optional)".

View other colleges which accept students in the 1220 SAT score range.

Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2022 starting class

Chance of Acceptance by SAT Score

The table below outlines your predicted admission chances based on SAT score alone. If you are an average applicant with a score of 1217, you have around a 66% chance of being admitted. A 1325 places you well ahead of most other applicants and gives you about a 79% chance of getting in.

Augustana University admission chances by SAT score
SAT Score (1600 scale) Competitiveness  Admission Chances 
1325 and Above Good >79%
1217 to 1325 Avg + 66%-79%
1110 to 1217 Avg - 51%-66%
1003 to 1110 Reach 35%-51%
Less than 1003 Low <35%
Calculate My Chances 

Augustana University ACT Scores

ACT Requirements & Average ACT Score

ACT Range 

21-28 

Applicants Submitting ACT 

66%
ACT Scores for Augustana University
ACT Test 25th Percentile Score
Reading 25th Percentile 20
Math 25th Percentile 20
Composite 25th Percentile 21
ACT Scores for Augustana University
ACT Test 75th Percentile Score
Reading 75th Percentile 28
Math 75th Percentile 27
Composite 75th Percentile 28
Average ACT Score 24

ACT Scores needed to get accepted

What are the ACT requirements for students to get into Augustana University?

Score Range

The average ACT score for admitted students to Augustana University is 24, while the middle 50% of students (25th to 75th percentile) score between a 21 and 28.  The school ranks #2 in South Dakota for highest average ACT composite score.

Score for Acceptance

For the best chance of admission, you should have an ACT of 24. This will place you in solid competition against other applicants. At a minimum, you should aim for a 21 and score in the score in the top 43 percent nationally. The lowest ACT score likely to be admitted is a 18.

Scoring well on the ACT is very important as 66 percent of applicants submit ACT scores to Augustana University.

Score Submission Requirements

You do not have to to submit ACT scores with your application as Augustana University is test optional. The policy from the school on ACT scores is "not required for admission, but considered if submitted (test optional)".

Find other colleges with similar ACT score requirements

Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2022 starting class

Chance of Acceptance by ACT Score

Here are your predicted chances of getting into Augustana University for different ACT score ranges. A typical applicant with a 24 score has around 66% chance of getting in. Your odds increase to about 80% with a 28 ACT score.

Augustana University admission chances by ACT score
ACT Score Competitiveness  Admission Chances 
28 and Above Good >80%
24 to 28 Avg + 66%-80%
21 to 24 Avg - 53%-66%
18 to 21 Reach 39%-53%
Less than 18 Low <39%
Calculate My Chances 

High School Class Rank

63% of Augustana University freshman are in the top twenty five percent of their high school graduating class and 32% are in the top ten percent.

High School Class Rank for admitted Augustana University students
High School Class Rank Freshmen Within Range
Top 10% of class 32%
Top 25% of class 63%
Top 50% of class 87%
Data Source, Peterson's Data

Applying

Admission Statistics

Admission and enrollment rates by gender are detailed the the table below.

Augustana University admission statistics
Women Men Total
Applied 1,659 1,486 3,145
Accepted 1,208 861 2,069
Acceptance Rate 73% 58% 66%
Enrolled 338 215 553
Percent of Admitted Who Enrolled (Admission Yield) 28% 25% 27%
Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2022 starting class

Application Fee

The cost for prospective students to apply to Augustana University is $0. The school is free to apply to.

Application Requirements

What are the requirements for admission to Augustana University and what student information is used for admission decisions?

Augustana University Application Requirements
Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
High School GPA Required to be considered for admission
High School Class Rank Not required for admission, but considered if submitted
Completion of College Preparatory Program Not required for admission, but considered if submitted
Recommendations Not required for admission, but considered if submitted
Demonstration of Competencies Not considered for admission, even if submitted

Credits Accepted

High School Credits Accepted at Augustana University
AP Credit Yes
Dual Credit Yes
Credit for Life Experiences Yes

Admission Requirements Summary

Because Augustana University is moderately competitive, you have a strong chance of acceptance with the right GPA and test scores. If you have a 3.76 GPA, you have a very good likelihood of getting in. A 1220 on the SAT and 24 on the ACT will further lock in your application.

Other Colleges to Apply To 

Students applying to Augustana University often consider these colleges

Primary data source, U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=219000 IPEDS survey data for Augustana University.

Last updated February 24, 2024