Augustana University 2025 Career Outcomes Report

Post-Graduation Undergraduate Class of 2025

Career Outcomes Report

Mary Toso | Student Success Center

Augustana University graduates launch their careers and make a difference in their communities with confidence, compassion and a commitment to excellence. Guided by our core values — Christian, Liberal Arts, Excellence, Community and Service — they embody the skills and mindset needed to succeed in an ever-changing world.

In this report, Augustana proudly celebrates the accomplishments of its graduates who have secured fulfilling careers, pursued advanced education and committed to meaningful service. Their journeys are a testament to the transformative power of an Augustana education. The university looks forward to staying connected as they continue to excel and make an impact.

METHODOLOGY & AGGREGATE STATISTICS

Each year, Augustana University releases the First Destinations Report, which includes data on the career outcomes, job placement and continuing education acceptance rates for the graduating class (i.e., cohorts from December, January, May and June of the previous academic year). Augustana uses the methodology outlined by the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) to report on the professional destinations of alumni within six months of graduation.

The Augustana Student Success Center endeavors to connect with all graduates to ensure a comprehensive overview of their accomplishments. The center uses a variety of methods to gather this information. Outreach begins with a survey, followed by individual phone calls, emails and social media messages. The Student Success Center also connects with professors and academic advisors to collect information, as students are often eager to share their updates with these important mentors. The collection of this verified information results in a knowledge rate that reflects the data known for the destination of graduates. This report contains information on the Class of 2025. Augustana located information for 81% of these graduates, which exceeds NACE’s recommended minimum of 65%.

Table 1 below includes information for the Class of 2025. Among the graduates who provided information, 98% achieved a positive career outcome and reported working, continuing their education, volunteering, serving in the military or not seeking employment. (Individuals seeking employment or admission into a continuing education program are not considered a positive career outcome.) Similarly, 99% of respondents who aspired to work secured full or part-time employment.

Graduates of Augustana University embark on their careers with confidence, empowered by the university’s distinctive approach to vocational preparation. From their first year to graduation, students benefit from personalized guidance provided by both faculty academic advisors and dedicated success advisors. First-year students engage in a vocational exploration and planning course, setting the foundation for their academic and professional journey. Sophomores have the opportunity to deepen this exploration during a retreat designed to help them discern and pursue their callings. Nearly every student engages in transformative signature experiences, including internships, practicums, fieldwork, research, creative projects and study away programs. By their senior year, students are well-prepared and routinely connect with graduate schools and employers through career fairs and other networking opportunities. This holistic approach, rooted in Augustana’s values, ensures its graduates are ready to thrive and make a meaningful impact.

The most significant experience I had at AU was being able to connect and learn from my professors in the (Rydell) School of Business. I benefited from it because they really care about you, your well-being and your success post-graduation.

Full-Time, Career-Related/Chosen Employment (working 30 hours or more per week)

Part-Time, Career-Related/Chosen Employment (working fewer than 30 hours per week )

Volunteer Service

Military Service

Continuing Education

Seeking Employment

Seeking Continuing Education

Not Seeking Employment or Continuing Education

No Information Available (have not provided information)

Total Number of Undergraduate Degree Recipients

During my time at Augustana, I was academically challenged in the best way. As a double major, I had to learn how to balance my time in order to manage the heavy course load. Although this was a challenge, I felt that Augustana set me up with the tools to succeed (tutoring options, the success center, etc.) and I was presented with many opportunities along the way that motivated my learning.

— Olivia Kern ‘25 Biology, Music

GEOGRAPHICAL DESTINATIONS

Augustana graduates reported working in Norway, Spain and Sweden and across the United States. Among graduates who reported working in the U.S., 69% were employed in South Dakota. Sixty percent of AU graduates who reported working in the U.S. are in Sioux Falls. The remaining percentage landed in 21 other states.

AVERAGE SALARIES

Across all respondents employed full-time, 23% provided salary information. The mean salary for undergraduate students in the Class of 2025 is $54,223, with a median salary of $55,000.

Only aggregate salary information is published because sample sizes are small for academic programs and survey respondents were informed that their responses were confidential. Readers are instead encouraged to browse salary information published by the U.S. Department of Labor or the National Association of Colleges & Employers.

EMPLOYERS

Augustana graduates land competitive positions at premier organizations. In total, AU graduates secured full-time positions at 121 unique organizations. Top employers include Avera and Sanford Health, the Sioux Falls School District and RSM US LLP. Hiring organizations of full-time employees are noted in Table 2.

ABC Supply Co. Inc.

Adaptive Biotechnologies

Albuquerque Public Schools (APS)

Education Foundation

Allina Health

APi Group (APG)

ASL Interpreting Services

Augustana University

Aurora Public Schools

Auten Accounting Solutions, LLC

Avera Health

Bishop O’Gorman Catholic Schools

Blue Light Investigations

Boys Town

Brady Martz

BritZa Performing Arts Studio

Buena Vista Regional Medical Center

Burnsville-Eagan-Savage School District 191

C.H. Robinson

Cambridge Technologies

CAPITAL Services

Carroll College

Celerion

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Academy

Children’s Home Society

City of Sioux Falls

Club Pilates

Coca-Cola Bottling Company High Country

Colleton County School District

Children’s Hospital Colorado

Community High School District 128

Conservation Districts of Iowa

Cutler Law Firm, LLP

Cytion

Dakota Potters Supply

Dakota Valley School District

Daktronics

Des Moines Public Schools

East River Legal Services

Eden Prairie Art Center

Edward Jones

Eide Bailly

Envive Chiropractic

First PREMIER Bank

Franchise Now

gpac

Grate Interpreting GreatLIFE

GridIron Sports + Performance

Groomer’s Choice

Harrisburg School District

Huron School District

Independent School District 196

Rosemount-Apple Valley-Eagan

Interim HealthCare of Sioux Falls IntraCare

Inver Grove Heights Schools

ISI, LLC

ITS Logistics

Jon Crane Gallery & Custom Framing

Justice Outside

KPMG

Kwik Trip

Lake Preston School District

Levitt at the Falls

LifeScape

Lillehammer Hockey

Lincoln County

Mariner

Marsh McLennan Agency

Mayo Clinic

MedStar Health

Midwest ENT & Allergy

Minnesota Coaches & Affiliates

Minnesota State University, Mankato

Nebraska Medicine

Niziah Development Corp

North American Language and Culture Assistants Program (NALCAP)

Northwestern Mutual

Olmsted Medical Center

Optum

Orthopedic Institute

OutWest Golf Co.

Park Christian School

Partners Medical Consulting (PMC)

POET

Power Home Remodeling

Priority1

Pure Hockey

Real Property Management Express

Reaves Law, PLLC

Reilly, Penner & Benton LLP

Richfield Medical Group

RSM US LLP

SAB Biotherapeutics (SAB BIO)

Saint Vincent Hospital

Sanford Health

Schulte Subaru

Scotland School District

Sioux Falls School District

South Dakota Department of Corrections

South Dakota Department of Social Services

South Dakota Public Broadcasting

Southern Hills Hospital & Medical Center

SSM Health

St. Louis City Soccer Club (SC)

State Farm

State of South Dakota

Swisca North America

Tea Area School District

Teachwell Solutions

The Bancorp

University of Tennessee (UT) Medical Center

Touchmark at All Saints

University of Maryland Medical Center

University of Nebraska Medical Center

Väsby IK Hockey

Volonte Group

Walmart

White Bear Lake Area Schools

Windom Area Health

Windsor Mortgage

Yankton School District

OCCUPATIONAL CLASSIFICATION

Graduates secured employment in diverse occupational classifications as defined by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics — demonstrating the multiple qualifications embedded in Augustana’s liberal arts degrees. Popular occupational areas included health care, education, and business and financial operations. The top occupational classifications are highlighted below.

Chart A: Occupational Classes

I was most appreciative to be able to travel the world. It allowed me to leave this community and see that the world is much more vast than I could have ever imagined.

— Angelica Morales ‘25 Sociology

HEALTH CARE PRACTITIONERS, SUPPORT AND TECHNICAL 34% COMPUTER AND MATHEMATICAL 1% COMMUNITY, SOCIAL SERVICE, LEGAL OR PROTECTIVE SERVICES 4%

The most significant experience I had at AU was studying abroad, not once, but twice! I benefited from both of these experiences because they pushed me out of my comfort zone, allowed me to immerse in other cultures, helped to build my confidence and strengthened my empathy, adaptability and understanding of global issues.

— Carly Wheeler ‘25 Biology

CONTINUING EDUCATION OUTCOMES

Among all respondents, 22% enrolled in graduate school or professional programs. Of the graduates who sought admission or continuing education, 96% were admitted. The majority of graduates who pursued additional undergraduate education enrolled in courses at Augustana (44 students). Graduate and professional schools that admitted AU graduates are included in Table 3.

Allied Health

Augustana University, Accelerated Nursing (3)

Augustana University, Athletic Training (5)

Briar Cliff University, Physical Therapy

Creighton University, Dentistry (2)

Creighton University, Medical Sciences

Gallaudet University, Speech-Language Pathology

Idaho State University, Physical Therapy

Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science, Physical Therapy

Northwestern Health Sciences University, Chiropractic

Salus University, Orthotics & Prosthetics

St. George’s University, Veterinary Medicine

Union Adventist University, Physician Assistant

University at Buffalo, Speech-Language Pathology

University of Mary, Speech-Language Pathology

University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Speech-Language Pathology & Audiology (2)

University of Nebraska Medical Center, Pharmacy

University of Northern Colorado, Audiology

University of South Dakota, Physical Therapy (2)

University of South Dakota, Speech-Language Pathology (4)

University of Wisconsin-Madison, Speech-Language Pathology

University of Wyoming, Speech-Language Pathology

UT Southwestern Medical Center, Physical Therapy

Business Administration, Public Administration and Sports Administration

Augustana University, Business Administration (10)

Augustana University, Professional Accountancy (10)

Augustana University, Sports Administration & Leadership (5)

Carson-Newman University, Business Administration

University of South Dakota, Business Administration

Humanities

Montana State University, Art

University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Music

University of St. Thomas, Creative Writing and Publishing

Law

Arizona State University

The most significant experience I had at AU was the relationships I built with the professors, staff and students on campus. The connections I made supported me during my time at Augustana and connected me to opportunities I could pursue after graduation.

— Hanna Beshai ‘25 English, Religion, Secondary Education

Medicine

A.T. Still University

Des Moines University, College of Osteopathic Medicine (2)

Medical College of Wisconsin

The University of Tennessee Health Science Center

University of South Dakota (3)

Natural Sciences

Louisiana State University, Plant Pathology, Crop Physiology and Plant Molecular Biology

University of Montana, Ecology & Evolution

Seminary, Social Sciences and Education

Augustana University, Social Work

Arizona State University, Social Work

Dallas Baptist University, International Relations

Loughborough University, International Security

Princeton Theological Seminary, Divinity

University of Colorado Colorado Springs, Counseling University of Iowa, Social Work University of Minnesota Duluth, Psychological Science - Clinical Counseling

University of Pittsburgh, Clinical Mental Health Counseling University of South Dakota, Counseling-Clinical Mental Health

University of South Dakota, Social Work

Winona State University, Clinical Mental Health Counseling

STEM

Clemson University, Mathematical Sciences

Dakota State University, Computer Science

Iowa State University, Physics

Other

University of Iowa, Post Baccalaureate Fellowship

University of Nebraska Medical Center, Post Baccalaureate Fellowship

EXPERIENCES OF GRADUATES

I truly would not be where I am today without the immense support I received over the past four years. I am deeply grateful for the encouragement, guidance and grace extended to me by faculty, whether through mentorship, thoughtful feedback or simply believing in my potential to achieve my dreams. Their unwavering support shaped not only my academic journey, but my personal growth. As I take my next steps, I carry with me the values, lessons and connections that made my time at Augie so meaningful.

— Mikayla Bendix ‘25 Biology

One of the most impactful experiences I had at AU was the opportunity to connect with my professors during office hours and the benefit of smaller class sizes. As a student who learns best through discussion and conversation, having a supportive environment where I could talk through ideas made a meaningful difference in my education and overall academic growth.

— Erin Danielewicz ‘25 Chemistry, Secondary Education

My professors, specifically my advisor, made learning fun, experiential and connective. I always felt that I could ask them any question or reach out at any time. On another note, the students in my major were very close. We all knew each other and it made for fun classes and activities happening both in class and outside of it.

— Grace Drietz ‘25 Communication Disorders, Special Education Studies

AU helped me grow into a better person by challenging me to step outside of my comfort zone and view life from new perspectives. Through both the highs and the challenges, I learned more about who I am, what I value and how I want to contribute to the world. The environment here encouraged me to reflect, learn from others and constantly strive to improve, not just academically, but personally. I benefited from my time at AU because it brought so many opportunities to meet new people, build meaningful connections and be inspired by those around me. It reminded me of the importance of staying humble, kind and grounded. I have learned that caring for one another and showing empathy can go a long way, whether in friendships, group work or everyday interactions. AU wasn’t just a place for me to earn a degree, but a place that shaped who I am today, and I will always be grateful for the experiences and growth it gave me.

— Sonali Chaudhari

‘25

Accounting, Management