Economics at Augustana University

An economics degree from Augustana carries an estimated $24,102 in debt—slightly above both state and national medians for the field. While we can't see actual outcomes for Augustana's economics graduates specifically, the estimated first-year earnings of $51,722 align with national norms and sit between what University of South Dakota and South Dakota State University typically produce. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.47 suggests graduates would dedicate roughly half their first-year salary to debt, which is manageable but not exceptional.

The real question is whether a mid-tier economics degree justifies nearly $25,000 in loans when peer programs across 808 schools nationwide show wide variation in outcomes. South Dakota's economics graduates generally earn less than the national median ($48,760 versus $51,722), though top performers like USD exceed both. Augustana's 59% admission rate and relatively low Pell grant enrollment (16%) suggest a solid academic environment, but without actual graduate data, you're essentially betting on the institution's reputation rather than proven results.

For families comfortable with that uncertainty, the estimated debt load is reasonable—about one year's salary over a standard repayment period. But given that we're working with approximations based on similar programs elsewhere, direct conversations with Augustana's career services about actual placement rates and starting salaries for recent economics graduates would be essential before committing.