ROCK ISLAND, ILLINOIS (August 21, 2025) — Members of Augustana College’s Class of 2029 will start the next chapter of their educational careers on September 2 when classes begin. The class of 783 was selected from across the globe from 9,100+ applications — the largest number in college history — with new and transfer students from 23 states and 37 countries, speaking 23 languages.
“With voices from around the world, these students will energize classroom discussions, expand worldviews and strengthen the Augustana experience for everyone,” said Kent Barnds, executive vice president for strategy and innovation. "As they take on internships and volunteer roles in the Quad Cities, they will contribute valuable skills and perspectives to our community."
This group also includes the largest number of US students of color in college history, with 243 attending.*
The average GPA for the 2029 class is 3.4. At least 75 students are members of the Austin E Knowlton Honors Program, and 21 students are members of the Brenda Barnes Leadership Academy.
More than 300 students are receiving either the Dean's Scholarship or the Presidential Scholarship, and seventy students are being awarded music scholarships. Additionally, 154 students are receiving the Augustana Possible grant and 270 students are being awarded Federal Pell Grants.
The top ten programs identified by the entering cohort this fall include:
- Biology, pre-medicine and other biology-related fields
- Business administration
- Psychology and neuroscience
- Engineering
- Education
- Computer science
- Kinesiology
- Undecided
- Accounting
- Data analytics
Getting the 2029 Class to Rock Island didn't come as an easy task for Augustana College's recruitment team. Members of the team visited 374 high schools and traveled 86 days abroad, visiting fifteen countries.
Students began moving to campus as early as mid-August, including members of the Vikings football team. Most of these students have already been checking out small businesses, trying local restaurants and walking the riverfront of Rock Island. Barnds says it won't be hard for the local community to spot and welcome the new group of students to the Quad Cities.
“Be on the look-out for 700+ new Quad Citizens wearing their Augustana A and blue and gold,” said Barnds.
The majority of students will move to campus August 29 into Andreen, Seminary, and Westerlin residence halls. This is the same day the college will hold the opening convocation on Viking Plaza, and Welcome Week activities begin. There are more than a dozen activities that will help students get adjusted to campus. A noteworthy Welcome Week activity is students taking their first Augie “A” photo on the football field at Charles D Lindberg Stadium.
*Data is gathered post-admission and is based on the entering first-year cohort of 705; information on race/ethnicity does not impact the admission process.
