Multiple regional media reports in 2018 indicated that Augustana's likeliest Division I destination was the Sioux Falls-based Summit League.

Many of the school's boosters are tied to Sanford Health, a hospital company also based in Sioux Falls that has long been a major sponsor of the Summit League.

[3][4] On May 22, 2020, the Summit League commissioner, Tom Douple, informed Augustana president Stephanie Herseth Sandlin that the conference would not be adding more new teams "at this time.

Augustana players who have had significant NFL careers include Les Josephson (Los Angeles Rams 1964–1974), Bryan Schwartz (Jacksonville Jaguars 1995–1999), Corbin Lacina (1993–2003), Kevin Kaesviharn (2001–2009), and C. J. Ham (Minnesota Vikings 2016–present).

In 2015–16 the men's basketball team coached by Tom Billeter finished the season 34–2 and won the NCAA Division II National Championship.

[8] Led by Jansen, the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference's Player of the Year,[9][10][11][12] the Vikings were 21–1 in the Northern Sun, then won the NSIC tournament title and captured the Central Regional title with an 80–78 victory over Northwest Missouri State to qualify for the Elite Eight, which was played at Dr Pepper Arena in Frisco, Texas.

The 2018 Augustana baseball team won the NCAA Division II College World Series, defeating Columbus State 3–2 in the final.