Augsburg University
Augsburg University — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Augsburg University at a Glance
Augsburg University is a private university in Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States. It is affiliated with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. It was founded in 1869 as a Norwegian-American Lutheran seminary known as Augsburg Seminarium. Today, the university enrolls approximately 2,400 undergraduate and 700 graduate students.
1869
157 years old
$81M
$80.9 million (2025)
3,152
Identity
Is Augsburg University Worth It?
At a value score of 32/100, Augsburg University is a below-average value relative to its cost. Graduates earn $58,829 — 9% above average — while paying $23,873/year. Consider alternatives with better earnings-to-cost ratios.
The investment pays for itself in just 1.6 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
A 52% graduation rate is a serious red flag — fewer than 5 in 10 students finish. Those who don't graduate may still carry student debt without the higher-earning credential to show for it.
Bottom line: consider whether the specific program you're interested in at Augsburg University has outcomes that justify the cost — the institution-wide numbers suggest caution.
How Augsburg University compares to peer private nonprofit colleges of similar tier in MN
Ranked #135 of 211 on value score. Peers are matched by size, median earnings, SAT, and admission rate — not just geography.
| Rank | College | Value | Net price / yr | Median earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | University of Detroit Mercy | 79 | $15,232 | $71,030 |
| #2 | Saint Xavier University | 77 | $10,970 | $58,656 |
| #3 | Dominican University | 75 | $11,745 | $60,327 |
| #4 | Andrews University | 73 | $12,547 | $53,187 |
| #5 | Saint Peter's University | 72 | $12,199 | $57,815 |
| #6 | Kalamazoo College | 68 | $19,072 | $65,590 |
| #135 | Augsburg University | 32 | $23,873 | $58,829 |
Peer group: private nonprofit colleges within ±60% of Augsburg University's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 5 in MN.
Best Programs at Augsburg University
The highest-earning program at Augsburg University is Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at $66,900/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Psychology, General at $29,500/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing graduate from Augsburg University earns $66,900, while a Psychology, General graduate earns $29,500. That's more than a 2× difference from the same institution. Choose your program carefully — it's the single biggest lever you control.
Debt also varies by program: Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing graduates carry $12,500 in median debt vs. $27,000 for Psychology, General.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $23,873/yr net price × 4 years
Earnings Premium
vs. national average of $53,787/yr
Payback Period
Time to recoup the total cost through higher earnings
10-Year Net Gain
Median earnings over 10 years minus total cost of attendance
Programs & Earnings by Major
Graduate earnings data by field of study (4 years after graduation):
| Major | Earnings (4yr) | Earnings (1yr) | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $66,900 | $66,900 | $12,500 |
| Accounting and Related Services | $50,700 | $50,700 | $27,451 |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | $47,300 | $47,300 | $27,000 |
| Marketing | $42,500 | $42,500 | $25,684 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $42,400 | $42,400 | $27,000 |
| Economics | $42,000 | $42,000 | $26,958 |
| Communication and Media Studies | $32,500 | $32,500 | $27,000 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $32,200 | $32,200 | $29,167 |
| Social Work | $32,000 | $32,000 | $27,000 |
| Biology, General | $31,600 | $31,600 | $27,125 |
| Psychology, General | $29,500 | $29,500 | $27,000 |
Similar Colleges in MN
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- private
- Location
- Minneapolis, MN
- Student Body
- 2,494 students
- Admission Rate
- 82%
- Graduation Rate
- 52%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $23,873
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $58,829
- Median Student Debt
- $25,347