Why St. Augustine?

St. Augustine is ranked first in Illinois for raising student income after graduation, and that number holds up because of who attends, not despite it. Most students here are working adults, many are first-generation, and a significant share start without a college credential of any kind. 

Some even begin in the free GED program. The income gains the ranking measures are real changes in what people earn once they have that credential in hand.

The practical arithmetic is straightforward. In Illinois, workers with only a high school diploma or GED earn substantially less over a lifetime than those with an associate’s degree, and associate’s degree holders earn much less than those with a bachelor’s. St. Augustine is one of the few places where you can move through all three credentials within a single institution.

The GED program is free, and more than 70% of students qualify for grants and scholarships that cover their full tuition on the degree side. This means accumulating meaningful debt along the way isn’t a given. 

For anyone trying to figure out if going back to school actually makes financial sense, the college’s track record says more than any projection could.

Start with the free GED program > See all degree programs

We offer a broad range of academic and student support programs, rooted in a bilingual environment, to help students from all walks of life overcome obstacles that prevent them from academic and career success.

As part of Lewis University, the College continues this mission at a larger scale —
providing bilingual pathways, personalized student support, and affordable access that opens doors to advanced degrees and upward mobility.