Higher ed journalist and bestselling author Jeffrey Selingo's book, “Dream School: Finding the College That’s Right for You,” was an instant bestseller. Why so popular? Because students and families like you really care about finding the right college.
What Selingo wants most is “to give parents permission to think more broadly about what makes a good college—because we know there are more than 25 out there.”
Students walk along Augustana's Swanie Slough Path in autumn.
To select the 75 new dream schools, Selingo first reviewed more than 3,000 colleges and universities nationwide. Considering only schools with more than 1,000 students (for ease of measuring/comparison), he looked at:
For his final selection, Selingo chose “institutions that punch above their weight,” graduating students who can be as successful and happy as grads from the elite ivy leagues. His priorities:
President Andrea Talentino chats with a student during Move-In Day.
Among the 75 “new dream schools,” Augustana College is in the category called Hidden Values. The other two categories are Large Leaders and Breakout Regionals.
Augustana is one of only three Illinois schools to make the list. The other two are DePaul University, a private Catholic university of about 21,000 students in urban Chicago; and the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, a large public university of about 35,000 undergraduates.
In comparison, Augustana has about 2,500 undergraduates. Each student has a personalized Success Team of professors, peers, advisors, counselors and coaches. That Success Team is dynamic—changing as a student grows, throughout all four years at Augustana.
Your student will know their Success Team even before arriving on campus. This is just one reason why Augustana is a dream school.
Augustana students, faculty and staff gathered before a day of canvassing Rock Island neighborhoods to test drinking water lines.
Jeff Selingo selected Augustana for its “strong outcomes, accessible admissions and engaging student experiences.” Here are examples of each of these, and there are so many more.
On the Forbes list of Top Colleges again this year, Augustana College has been recognized as one of 25 private colleges around the country that offer students generous financial aid and scholarships.
The Augustana Possible grant has spurred the college’s largest applicant pool and largest first-year cohort in the school’s 163-year history.
Augustana will receive $100,000 annually over the next five years from The Austin E. Knowlton Foundation. The money will give current and future Augustana students the needed resources to achieve their educational dreams.
“As a first-generation college student, throughout my college visit process, it became evident that Augustana would provide me with the most welcoming and positive campus climate.”
Three students who were in France and Sweden this past summer certainly put the “study” in study abroad. Find out how Madelyn Garrigan '26, Moira Baggot '26 and Karla Collazo '27 each found learning experiences thousands of miles from home to match their career interests.
Community-based learning on a large scale: Augustana geology students travel with faculty to the Caribbean island of Bonaire to research environmental change in coral reefs.
During Augustana's Symposium Day on Oct. 8, trained students from Augustana's kinesiology program will conduct BodPod (body composition) tests and VO2 Max (cardiovasculary fitness) tests. Registration is required.
“My biggest surprise has been the care and connection many professors show for their students.… At Augustana there are opportunities for everyone, regardless of their background, and that truly stands out to me.”
The First Destinations Report, collected from a survey of 2024 graduates, is a tool for the college and families of prospective Vikings to see the value of an Augustana education. The numbers show how Augustana's commitment to experiential learning and career preparation translates into real-world success.
As Augustana College's CORE (Career, Opportunities, Research and Exploration) celebrates its 10th anniversary, its new director Lindsay Adolphs reflects on how the center has helped hundreds of students achieve their dreams and shape their futures.
Supportive mentors, experience in the field and a foundation in the liberal arts and sciences prepare Augustana graduates for the complex future of health care.
“The relationships I’ve made along the way have helped push me to become the best student, athlete and person that I can be, which I know will apply to my future as a doctor.”
Augustana was one of 75 U.S. colleges and universities named as a "Dream School" from among 3,900 institutions Jeffrey Selingo researched for his latest book. Augustana is one of only three Illinois colleges/universities on the "Dream School" list.
Beginning fall 2024, every Augustana student will be paired with a Success Team, a multi-pronged team. The innovative program builds upon the college’s track record of developing strong leaders, with a heightened focus on customized support.
