Augustana University Admission Requirements

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Augustana University Admission Overview

Augustana University admission requirements are moderately competitive. Last year Augustana University admitted 67.7% of applicants. Enrolled freshmen typically had about a 3.76 GPA (A-) and SAT 1150-1370 / ACT 21-27. Augustana University is test-optional, so you choose whether to send SAT or ACT. Those figures describe last year's class, not a score you must hit.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Augustana University Acceptance Rate

Admission Rate & Difficulty

Acceptance rate

67.7%

Admission Standards

Challenging

Applicant Competition

Low

Very Low
Low
Average
High
Very High
Extreme

Admission difficulty for Augustana University

Acceptance Rate

The Augustana University acceptance rate is 67.7%. Last year, 2,044 of 3,017 applicants were admitted. That is the 2nd lowest acceptance rate 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, admitting a large majority of applicants. You have a strong chance of acceptance if you meet last year's profile.

Augustana University typically 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. 26% of those admitted chose to enroll.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Augustana University GPA

GPA of enrolled freshmen

Avg. High School GPA

3.76

Typical High School Grades

A-

Average GPA (4.0 Scale) 3.76

0.0 1.0 2.0 3.0 4.0

Average GPA

Enrolled freshmen at Augustana University typically have around a 3.76 GPA (A-) on a 4.0 scale. That is last year's class average, not a cutoff. Enrolled students typically have exceptionally good grades. Augustana University is test-optional. If you withhold SAT or ACT, GPA carries more weight.

33% of enrolled freshmen had a 4.0. The school ranks #2 in South Dakota for highest average GPA.

See additional colleges accepting applicants in the 3.8 GPA range.

Competitiveness by GPA Ranges

Share of last year's freshmen in each GPA range, compared with the rest of the class.

High school GPA ranges for enrolled Augustana University freshmen
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 figures mean?

GPA Data Source, Peterson's Data 2024

Augustana University SAT Scores

SAT scores of enrolled freshmen

SAT Range

1150-1370

Freshmen who sent SAT

4%

25th Percentile Scores

  • Reading 570
  • Math 580
  • Composite 1150
SAT 25th percentile scores for Augustana University

75th Percentile Scores

  • Reading 680
  • Math 690
  • Composite 1370
SAT 75th percentile scores for Augustana University

Average SAT

Enrolled testers at Augustana University typically score around a 1260 SAT (middle 50% 1150–1370) out of 1600. That is last year's class, not a cutoff. The average SAT of enrolled testers is about the 83rd percentile nationally. Augustana University ranks #2 in the state of South Dakota for highest average SAT composite score.

SAT Range (25th-75th Percentile) 1150 to 1370

800 1000 1200 1400 1600

SAT policy

Augustana University is test-optional. You choose whether to send SAT. If you send a score, it is considered.

View other colleges which accept students in the 1260 SAT score range.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

How SAT scores compare with last year's enrolled testers

This table compares SAT ranges with last year's enrolled testers and the school's acceptance rate. It is not a personal chance of admission. If you withhold SAT, skip this table.

SAT ranges vs last year's enrolled testers at Augustana University
SAT Score (1600 scale) Competitiveness Admission Chances
1370+ Above 75th >80%
1260 to 1370 Avg + 68%-80%
1150 to 1260 Avg - 53%-68%
Below 1150 Below mid-50 <53%

What do these figures mean?

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Augustana University ACT Scores

ACT scores among enrolled freshmen

ACT Range

21-27

Freshmen reporting ACT

51%

25th Percentile Scores

  • English 20
  • Math 20
  • Composite 21
ACT 25th percentile scores for Augustana University

75th Percentile Scores

  • English 26
  • Math 27
  • Composite 27
ACT 75th percentile scores for Augustana University

Average ACT

Incoming testers at Augustana University typically have around a 24 ACT (mid-50 21–27) on the 36 scale. That reflects last year's enrolled testers, not a cutoff. That average sits near the 73rd percentile of ACT takers nationwide. Augustana University places #2 among colleges in South Dakota for highest average ACT composite.

ACT Range (25th-75th Percentile) 21 to 27

1 9 18 27 36

ACT policy

You may apply to Augustana University without ACT. A score you do send is still reviewed.

See colleges with similar ACT profiles in the 24.0 ACT score range.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

How ACT scores compare with last year's enrolled testers

This table compares ACT ranges with last year's enrolled testers and the school's acceptance rate. They are not your individual odds. If you leave ACT off your application, you can skip this table.

ACT bands compared with last year's enrolled testers at Augustana University
ACT Score (36 scale) Competitiveness Admission Chances
27+ Above 75th >80%
24 to 27 Avg + 68%-80%
21 to 24 Avg - 53%-68%
Below 21 Below mid-50 <53%

How to read these figures

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

High School Class Rank

Class Rank of Admitted Students

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

Estimate How You Compare

See how your GPA and scores compare with last year's enrolled testers. You can mark that you will withhold scores.

Open the Augustana University chances calculator

Applying

Admission Statistics

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

Augustana University admission statistics
Women Men Total
Applied 1,531 1,476 3,017
Accepted 1,112 923 2,044
Acceptance Rate 73% 63% 68%
Enrolled 307 227 534
Percent of Admitted Who Enrolled (Admission Yield) 28% 25% 26%

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Application Requirements

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

Augustana University application requirements
Requirement Used for Admission
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

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Application Fee

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

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Credits Accepted

High school credits accepted at Augustana University
Credit Type Accepted
AP Credit Yes
Dual Credit Yes
Credit for Life Experiences Yes

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Admission summary

Augustana University is test-optional for 2024-25. Last year it admitted 67.7% of applicants. Enrolled freshmen typically had about a 3.76 GPA (about an A- average). Send SAT/ACT if you are at or above this campus mid-50 (1150-1370); otherwise withhold. Mid-50 scores, where shown, are enrolled testers, not cutoffs.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Other Colleges to Apply To

Students applying to Augustana University often consider these colleges

Data source: NCES / IPEDS https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=219000.

GPA calculator: Augustana University GPA calculator.

Last updated: August 2026