Augustana University Nursing: Programs, NCLEX & Requirements (2026)
Private Lutheran university in Sioux Falls with a School of Health Professions nursing department: traditional BSN, an Accelerated BSN for career changers, and an online MSN with acute care NP and clinical nurse specialist tracks. The program highlights simulation-heavy learning, Sioux Falls clinical partners, and a published NCLEX first-time pass rate table through 2023.
Contents
Quick Facts
Key Takeaway
Augustana is the only college in South Dakota with an American Holistic Nurses Credentialing Corporation (AHNCC) holistic nursing program endorsement—paired with weekly Sioux Falls-area clinicals and CCNE-accredited BSN and graduate pathways listed on augie.edu.
Overview & Why Students Choose Augustana University
Sioux Falls is one of the upper Midwest’s busiest medical hubs, and Augustana’s undergraduate nursing page routes students into weekly clinical experiences with large integrated systems plus schools, long-term care, public health, and community agencies. The department pairs that footprint with interactive simulation, case study work, and leadership practicums described on augie.edu.
Undergraduate pathways include a four-year BSN and a 16-month Accelerated BSN for students who already hold a bachelor’s in another discipline. Nurses who want AG-ACNP or AG-CNS preparation can stack into the online MSN or a post-graduate APRN certificate with two short on-campus immersions in Sioux Falls.
Augustana’s nursing page publishes first-time NCLEX-RN pass rates of 95.52% for 2023, 97.53% for 2022, and 97.33% for 2021, alongside state and national comparison percentages in the same table. Those figures are school-published; confirm the next publication cycle with Augustana and the South Dakota Board of Nursing.
Reasons students choose Augustana University
Holistic nursing distinction
AHNCC holistic program endorsement—the only South Dakota program on the endorsing body’s current list—signals an explicit whole-person care philosophy woven through the curriculum.
Sioux Falls clinical density
Published partner lists include Sanford Health, Avera Health, the Sioux Falls VA, school districts, and several community-focused sites for diverse patient populations.
Accelerated BSN option
The post-baccalaureate pathway keeps students in cohort-style, daytime, on-campus coursework for roughly 16 months with a transparent per-credit nursing block rate.
Graduate tracks in acute care leadership
The online MSN advertises AG-ACNP and AG-CNS specialties—Augustana notes it was the first South Dakota university to offer these focused graduate tracks.
Simulation investment
University news coverage describes federal economic-development funding that expanded high-fidelity simulation capacity for skills practice before live clinicals.
Nursing Programs Offered
The lists below mirror Augustana’s public undergraduate catalog, graduate nursing pages, and the South Dakota Board of Nursing approved-program table (updated April 8, 2025). Separate pre-licensure (BSN, Accelerated BSN) pathways from post-licensure graduate work (MSN, post-graduate APRN certificates).
Pre-licensure (BSN)
Traditional Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)
Four-year pre-licensure major totaling 83 semester hours in nursing plus supportive sciences and general education per the 2025–2026 catalog. Students apply to upper-division nursing courses by February 15 of the year they wish to begin nursing coursework.
Accelerated BSN (ABSN)
Approximately 16-month, full-time, daytime, on-campus sequence after prerequisites for students who already hold a bachelor’s in another field. Includes two fall semesters, a January Term, spring, and summer per the accelerated overview; nursing coursework is 50 credits at the accelerated tuition rate.
Post-licensure & graduate
Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)
Online MSN with immersion experiences on campus. Students choose between Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (AG-ACNP) and Adult-Gerontology Clinical Nurse Specialist (AG-CNS); the first year shares core coursework before specialties diverge.
Post-graduate APRN certificates
Matching AG-ACNP and AG-CNS certificate options for master’s-prepared nurses, including May cohort starts and NursingCAS application links published on the graduate program page.
Other pathways & experiences
The undergraduate catalog mentions a baccalaureate for registered nurses option and instructs students to contact the department chair for details—confirm seat availability and plan of study before assuming an RN-to-BSN-style completion route. Augustana also advertises a Norwegian nursing exchange semester and faculty-led study-away courses in Costa Rica, Norway, and Greece for expanded global nursing perspective.
Nursing curricula, clinical contracts, and specialty approvals can change between catalog years. Always verify the exact degree plan, accreditation statements, and Board approval lines on augie.edu and the SD BON approved programs list.
NCLEX-RN Pass Rate
Augustana publishes a multi-year table of first-time NCLEX-RN pass rates on its undergraduate nursing page. The most recent year shown in that table at the time of this review is 2023 at 95.52%, with 2022 at 97.53% and 2021 at 97.33%. The same table lists South Dakota and national comparison percentages supplied by the program. These are school-published disclosures rather than a replacement for board-compiled archives—use them alongside the South Dakota Board of Nursing workforce and education resources.
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| NCLEX-RN first-time pass rate (2023) | 95.52% (Augustana nursing program page table) |
| NCLEX-RN first-time pass rate (2022) | 97.53% (same table) |
| NCLEX-RN first-time pass rate (2021) | 97.33% (same table) |
| Source | Augustana University Nursing (on-page NCLEX table). For regulatory context and licensure data, see the South Dakota Board of Nursing. Confirm each new cohort with both sources. |
NCLEX outcomes change by cohort. Always confirm the latest pass rates with the South Dakota Board of Nursing and the school.
International Students & Internationally Educated Nurses
Requirements for international students and internationally educated nurses vary by institution and state. Augustana advertises a Norwegian nursing exchange semester and publishes an international student fee on its Accelerated Nursing tuition page; use the points below as a checklist and verify everything with Augustana’s International Programs Office, the nursing department, U.S. immigration advisers, and the South Dakota Board of Nursing.
- English-language proficiency: TOEFL, IELTS, or other requirements and minimum scores for this school.
- Transcript / credential evaluation: WES, CGFNS, or other evaluators required by the school.
- South Dakota Board of Nursing: For RN licensure (with or without a U.S. degree), confirm NCLEX eligibility and document requirements with the Board.
- Immigration & visa: Program eligibility for F-1 or other visa types and impact on clinical placements.
Policies change frequently. Verify with Augustana University’s international office and the South Dakota Board of Nursing.
Admissions: A Realistic Look
Traditional BSN applicants work through Augustana’s nursing application process with a February 15 deadline for upper-division nursing entry. The undergraduate catalog requires a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.70, at least a C- in each required support course (with limits on how many prerequisites may be repeated), and a C or better (minimum 74%) in both the theory and clinical portions of every nursing course to progress. Accelerated BSN candidates apply through NursingCAS links published on the accelerated program page. Graduate nursing applicants also use NursingCAS with May cohort starts and immersion requirements described on the MSN page.
Application timeline
| Entry Term | Deadline | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Traditional BSN (upper division) | No later than Feb. 15 (year you plan to begin nursing courses) | Per Augustana nursing program page; obtain application materials from the nursing office. |
| Accelerated BSN | Follow NursingCAS cycle dates | Use the official accelerated nursing CAS link on augie.edu; prerequisites evaluated via transcript analysis. |
| MSN / post-graduate certificates | Varies (May starts) | Review graduate nursing admissions PDFs and NursingCAS instructions; confirm seat-deposit rules for certificates. |
Admissions snapshot
| Factor | Details |
|---|---|
| Acceptance rate (nursing-specific) | Not publicly disclosed |
| Minimum GPA (nursing major) | Cumulative 2.70 on all courses per 2025–2026 catalog nursing major provisions. |
| TEAS / HESI | Not named in the catalog nursing major excerpt we reviewed; confirm with the Department of Nursing and current undergraduate nursing handbook. |
| Clinical clearance | Criminal background check, drug screen, immunizations, and functional ability requirements prior to clinical courses per catalog. |
Tuition & Cost of Attendance
Augustana’s financial aid microsite breaks costs into direct (billed) and indirect (estimated living) components. Figures below come from the 2026–2027 comprehensive costs page, the Accelerated Nursing tuition page, and the graduate nursing tuition page as accessed for this review.
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| 2026–27 undergraduate tuition (12–18 credits/semester) | $41,986 per academic year (includes up to four January J-Term credits as described on the comprehensive costs page). |
| 2026–27 undergraduate direct-cost stack | Tuition plus listed student fees ($1,146), double-occupancy housing ($4,580), and meal plan ($5,810) totals $53,522 before overload or course-specific fees. |
| 2026–27 Accelerated BSN nursing block | $640 per credit for 50 required nursing credits (Fall 2026 cohort), plus nursing fees per term and $65/credit Augustana student fees per the accelerated tuition page; non-U.S. students pay a one-time international fee listed there. |
| 2026 MSN cohort | $825/credit tuition plus $150/credit nursing fee and published summer course-resource fees (three summers). |
| 2026 post-graduate certificate cohort | $825/credit tuition plus $225/credit nursing fee and listed course-resource fees; $1,000 seat deposit applies per the graduate tuition page. |
| Source | Comprehensive Costs · Accelerated Nursing Tuition · Graduate Nursing Tuition & Fees. Confirm current amounts with the Office of Financial Aid. |
Student Outcomes & Career Prospects
Reliable public outcome metrics for nursing students center on NCLEX-RN success (pre-licensure) and APRN certification exams (graduate). Use Augustana’s disclosures and South Dakota regulatory data together.
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| NCLEX-RN first-time pass rate (2023) | 95.52% per Augustana’s published table (school-reported). |
| Employment / placement rate | Not publicly disclosed in the sources reviewed for this guide; ask the School of Health Professions for graduate surveys. |
| Source | Augustana nursing page; confirm with the South Dakota Board of Nursing. |
Is Augustana University the Right Fit for You?
Augustana fits best for students seeking a private, mission-driven campus inside a midsize city with major acute-care employers nearby and the option to continue into acute-care APRN graduate work without leaving the university.
✓ Good fit for students who—
- Value holistic-care framing and want a BSN endorsed by AHNCC alongside mainstream CCNE accreditation.
- Plan to live in Sioux Falls for weekly clinicals and can commit to daytime accelerated coursework if pursuing the ABSN.
- Intend to become an AG-ACNP or AG-CNS and prefer an online MSN with short Sioux Falls immersions.
✗ May not be ideal for students who—
- Need the lowest possible published tuition (private comprehensive costs exceed nearby public options before aid).
- Cannot relocate or commute to Sioux Falls for pre-licensure labs and clinicals (or immersions, for graduate tracks).
- Are seeking generic “100% online” pre-licensure BSN programs—Augustana’s BSN and ABSN remain face-to-face intensive.
Local Healthcare Ecosystem
Sioux Falls anchors eastern South Dakota’s referral network. Augustana publicly names repeated clinical and internship collaborators with major health systems, the VA, schools, long-term care, and social-service agencies—giving nursing students exposure to inpatient, community, and population-health contexts within a compact geographic radius.
| Facility / partner | Details |
|---|---|
| Sanford Health / Avera Health | Large integrated delivery systems headquartered in Sioux Falls; listed explicitly as clinical partners on the nursing program page. |
| Sioux Falls VA Health Care System | Federal acute-care partner named for clinical learning. |
| Sioux Falls School District | District-based experiences for school-health and community rotations. |
| Community & social agencies | Examples from Augustana’s site include Bethany Lutheran Home, Children’s Home Society, Lutheran Social Services refugee programming, Bishop Dudley Hospitality House, Union Gospel Mission, and Dougherty Hospice House for immersion in safety-net care. |
Student Experience & Campus Life
Nursing students study inside the School of Health Professions, using interactive classrooms, case seminars, and an advanced simulation center highlighted on augie.edu. Student-life touchpoints referenced by the university include Sigma Theta Tau (Zeta Zeta chapter), the Augustana Nursing Student Association, Medical Humanities Club, Be The Match on campus, Augiethon, and mentorship programs for seniors. Optional faculty-led travel semesters (Costa Rica, Norway, Greece) add global health perspective but require extra planning with the International Programs Office.
Resources & Next Steps
Contact & location
- Campus location
- Sioux Falls, SD
- Address
- 2001 S. Summit Ave., Sioux Falls, SD 57197, US
- Telephone
- Main: +1-605-274-0770 · Nursing program director (directory): 605-274-5336
- Contact email
- lynn.white@augie.edu
- Website
- augie.edu
Official links
Your “Next 7 Days” checklist
- Visit the official Augustana University nursing website and download the current program brochure or student handbook if available.
- Review the prerequisite course list in the school catalog and compare it to your transcripts.
- If required, register for the TEAS, HESI, or other entrance exam. Confirm on the admissions page which test and minimum scores apply for your target semester.
- Draft a list of questions for an admissions counselor or the nursing program advising office.
- Reach out to current nursing students or alumni (e.g. via LinkedIn) to ask about clinical experiences and satisfaction.
- Begin outlining your personal statement (graduate programs) or prepare interview talking points (pre-licensure applicants).
- Check the application deadline for your target term and set reminders.
Frequently Asked Questions
What NCLEX-RN outcomes does Augustana University publish?
The undergraduate nursing page lists first-time NCLEX-RN pass rates of 95.52% (2023), 97.53% (2022), and 97.33% (2021). Those values are school-published in a comparison table; confirm the next reporting cycle with Augustana and the South Dakota Board of Nursing.
Does Augustana offer an Accelerated BSN (ABSN)?
Yes. The Accelerated Nursing Program targets students who already hold a bachelor’s degree in another field, runs about 16 months on campus, and charges a distinct per-credit rate for the 50 nursing credits plus program fees disclosed on the accelerated tuition page.
When is the traditional BSN application due at Augustana?
The nursing program page states applications for upper-division nursing are due no later than February 15 of the year you wish to begin nursing courses. Verify forms and any CAS requirements yearly.
What minimum GPA does the Augustana nursing major require?
The 2025–2026 catalog specifies a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.70 for all courses and a grade of C or better (minimum 74%) in both theory and clinical components of every nursing course for progression.
Does Augustana require TEAS or HESI for nursing admission?
The catalog excerpt reviewed for this guide does not list TEAS or HESI among nursing major requirements. Policies may appear in the student handbook or admissions supplements—confirm with the Department of Nursing before registering for exams.
What graduate nursing programs does Augustana offer?
Augustana’s online MSN includes Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner and Adult-Gerontology Clinical Nurse Specialist tracks, each with a matching post-graduate certificate. Expect two four-day immersions in Sioux Falls during the program.
How much is Accelerated BSN tuition at Augustana for 2026–27?
The accelerated tuition page lists $640 per credit for nursing coursework for the Fall 2026 cohort, plus nursing fees each term and $65 per credit in general student fees, with additional indirect costs estimated separately.
Where will I complete clinicals as an Augustana nursing student?
Published examples include Sanford and Avera facilities, the Sioux Falls VA, Sioux Falls schools, Bethany Lutheran Home, Children’s Home Society, Lutheran Social Services programs, and South Dakota Department of Health experiences; exact sites depend on semester.
Is Augustana nursing accredited?
University pages state CCNE accreditation for the baccalaureate, master’s, and post-graduate APRN programs. The South Dakota Board of Nursing’s April 8, 2025 approved-program list shows full board approval with CCNE expiration dates through 2031 for the BSN and through 2029 for advanced practice listings.
References
- Augustana University — undergraduate nursingaugie.edu/nursing
- Augustana University — graduate nursing programsaugie.edu/graduate-nursing
- Augustana University — 2025–2026 undergraduate catalog (nursing major)SmartCatalog nursing major
- Augustana University — comprehensive costs (2026–27)Comprehensive costs
- Augustana University — Accelerated BSN tuition & feesAccelerated nursing tuition
- Augustana University — graduate nursing tuition & feesGraduate nursing tuition
- South Dakota Board of Nursing — approved programssdbon.org/education
- South Dakota Board of Nursing — home / licensure resourcessdbon.org
- National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN)ncsbn.org
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics — Registered Nursesbls.gov/ooh
Editorial Standards & Review
About the author: Francesco Di Siena, RN, writes evidence-based nursing education guides for NurseOnShift.
Review: This page was reviewed by Araceli Collado, RN, with focus on NCLEX table sourcing, catalog GPA rules, Board-approved program listings, and published 2026–27 tuition disclosures.
Disclaimer: This page is for general reference only. It does not constitute professional, admissions, or financial advice. Requirements, deadlines, tuition, and policies change; always verify with the institution and the South Dakota Board of Nursing.
Published: 2026-03-31 · Last reviewed: March 31, 2026 · Medical Review Process · Editorial Policy