Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities at Augustana University

A debt load of $27,000 against first-year earnings around $41,000 creates a manageable 0.66 debt-to-earnings ratio—solidly in comfortable territory for a bachelor's degree. While these figures are estimated from peer programs rather than Augustana's actual outcomes, the comparison to other South Dakota schools is instructive: similar liberal arts programs in the state produce earnings ranging from $36,000 to $44,000, suggesting Augustana likely falls somewhere in that middle band. The estimated debt also matches the national median exactly, meaning this isn't an outlier in terms of borrowing.

What's worth noting is that nationally, this field typically produces first-year earnings around $36,000—the estimated $41,000 for South Dakota programs reflects the state's strong employment market rather than something unique about any particular school. Augustana's selective student body (average SAT of 1187, only 16% Pell recipients) may skew outcomes higher than typical liberal arts graduates, but without actual data, that remains speculative.

The practical takeaway: if your child is drawn to Augustana's environment and a liberal arts education, the estimated financial picture doesn't raise red flags. The debt appears manageable relative to likely earnings. However, recognize you're making this decision with limited program-specific information—press the school for placement rates and alumni outcomes in fields your child might pursue.