Augustana College is a private, selective liberal arts college affiliated with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), located in Rock Island, Illinois. Its mission is to educate students for lives of service, leadership, and curiosity through a rigorous liberal arts education grounded in the Lutheran tradition. The university is characterized by its core curriculum, which encourages deep exploration across disciplines, and its emphasis on high-impact practices such as global experience, research, and internships. The institution provides a comprehensive residential college experience, preparing graduates with both professional skills and a strong ethical foundation.
The roots of this university date back to the founding of the Augustana Synod in 1860 by Swedish immigrants in Chicago, with the college formally established that year. The original purpose was to train ministers and teachers to serve the burgeoning Swedish-American communities. After several moves, the college and its seminary division relocated permanently to its current location in Rock Island, Illinois, in 1875. The institution, named for the Augsburg Confession (a foundational document of Lutheranism), quickly grew into a coeducational, residential college. Over the decades, the university shed its seminary function to focus entirely on undergraduate liberal arts and sciences, maintaining its core values while expanding its academic reach to become one of the oldest and most respected colleges in the Midwest.
This university successfully fulfills its mission as a distinguished liberal arts college by combining a deep historical commitment to intellectual inquiry and ethical development with modern, high-impact educational opportunities. By fostering an environment rich in research, global perspectives, and personalized mentorship, the university prepares students to be successful professionals and thoughtful global citizens. The institution's strong liberal arts foundation and the guarantee of transformative experiences solidify its reputation as a leading choice for students seeking a rigorous, engaging, and comprehensive undergraduate education in the Midwest.