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St. Ambrose University

Davenport , IA

St. Ambrose University is a private liberal arts university located in Davenport, Iowa. Established in 1882 by the Catholic diocese of Davenport, the university is named after Saint Ambrose, a prominent bishop and theologian of the early Christian church. St. Ambrose University offers undergraduate and graduate programs in various fields of study, including business, education, health sciences, humanities, and social sciences.

With a student-to-faculty ratio of 11:1, St. Ambrose University provides a personalized and engaging educational experience. The university is committed to fostering intellectual, personal, and social growth in its students, aiming to prepare them for successful careers and responsible global citizenship. St. Ambrose's faculty members are dedicated educators who prioritize individual attention and mentorship, cultivating a supportive and collaborative learning environment.

Beyond academics, St. Ambrose University offers a vibrant campus life with numerous extracurricular activities and organizations. Its athletic programs compete in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA), and the university has a strong tradition of excellence in athletics. St. Ambrose also encourages community engagement through service-learning opportunities and partnerships with local organizations, providing students with the chance to make a positive impact in the community and gain practical experience. Overall, St. Ambrose University combines quality education, personalized attention, and vibrant campus life to deliver a well-rounded college experience for its students.

Located in Davenport, IA and set in an urban environment, St. Ambrose University is a private comprehensive higher education institution. This school uses a semester-based calendar. It has an acceptance rate of 77%. The freshman retention rate at St. Ambrose University is 76% and the six-year graduation rate is 61%.

Explore this school's profile to find out the most essential things about St. Ambrose University.

Quick Facts

1,939

Total Number of Undergraduate Students

$37,833

Tuition

11:1

Student to Faculty Ratio

61%

Graduation Rate

Admissions

In order to maximize your chances of getting admitted, you need to know as much as possible about the school's criteria for admission. How difficult is it to get admitted to St. Ambrose University and what are the admission requirements?

According to the most recent information reported, this institution uses standardized test scores for admission and it admitted 2,292 in 2025. St. Ambrose University has an official test-optional admission policy but takes into consideration standardized test scores in cases when they are submitted by the candidate. Looking at entrance difficulty level for all or most incoming freshmen, based on data self-reported by the institution this school is moderately difficult to get into.

Test Scores

Out of the number of those who submitted test scores, the percentage of first-time, first-year degree-seeking students who submitted SAT scores was 13% and ACT scores 10%. 15.69% of the freshmen submitted SAT composite scores between between 1,200 and 1,399, 49% between 1,000 and 1,199, 31.37% of the students between 800 and 999, and 3.9% between 600 and 799. The percent of incoming freshmen who submitted ACT Composite scores in the range between 30-36 was 5.26, 36.84 between 24-29, 50 in the range between 18-23, and 7.9 between 12-17.

The average ACT score for all the accepted students in 2025 was 23 while the average GPA was 3.37. That means you'll most likely need an above-average GPA to get accepted as well as an above-average ACT score.

The new students had an average SAT Critical Reading score of 536 and an average SAT Math score of 518.

Average Test Scores

Retention Rate

What is the freshman retention rate? The freshman retention rate is the percentage of full-time students who entered the institution as freshmen in the previous academic year and returned for the fall term of the current academic year. That information can tell you if the majority of freshmen liked their first year enough to come back.

The freshman retention rate for St. Ambrose University was 76% in 2025, indicative of the exceptional educational experience and supportive environment at this school.

The graduation rate is another indicator to take into account. It provides valuable insight into the percentage of students who complete their studies within a designated timeframe. At this school, the rate of students graduating within six years is 61%.

Student Body

It is always challenging to figure out which school is best for you. Knowing more about the student population can help you get a clearer picture of the school's culture and life.

Main Student Body

In 2025, the institution had an enrollment of 2,498 students.

The school reported an out-of-state student body portion of 56% for that year. The total number of undergraduate students enrolled at the institution was 1,939, 62 of which were foreign students. 178 students were admitted as transfer students.

Student Population Gender Ratio

The student body is coeducational, with 966 male and 1,266 female full-time students in 2025.

Student Population Diversity

Higher Education is dedicated to increasing student diversity and enhancing students' feelings of inclusion and belonging. Diversity promotes critical thinking, challenges preconceived notions, and encourages intellectual growth, so it helps students develop empathy and a broader understanding of the world. Discover more about the many ethnic communities that go to this school.

In 2025, out of the total number of students enrolled at the institution, the number of Asian students was 34, and the number of Black American students was 160. 209 undergrads at this school declared as Hispanic/Latino and 96 as multirace. The school also had 8 students who declared as Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander, and 3 American Indian or Alaska Native students. There were also 82 students whose ethnicity is unknown.

Cost

Financial planning for school is one of the most important things to consider before you apply. The most recent data reported regarding the expenses for attending this school are detailed below.

Tuition and Fees

Here are some facts that can be useful if you were curious about St. Ambrose University estimated tuition fees.

Tuition in 2025 was $37,833 for full-time domestic students. Since this is a private institution, tuition is the same for all the accepted students. Full-time students in 2025 needed to pay additional fees in the amount of $280.

Books and Supplies

When you try to estimate the cost of attendance for a college or university, you need to consider the cost of books and supplies you're going to need. The estimated cost of books and supplies for a full-time student of this school is $1,320.

Boarding

Before you apply to a college or university, you should, among other things, think about the price of a dorm room and cafeteria meals. What do schools typically charge for accommodation and meals?

At St. Ambrose University, the 2025 annual cost of room and board (on campus) was $13,780. The cost of a dorm room only at this school in 2025 stood at $8,280 for one academic year. The estimated expense of room-only (on campus) for commuters not living at home was $6,570.

Tuition $ 37,833
Room and Board $ 13,780
Book and Supplies $ 1,320
Total Expense $ 52,933

Financial Aid

Grants, loans, scholarships, work-study programs: these are all different types of financial support available to students. If you are interested in finding out more about need-based and non-need-based aid at St. Ambrose University, here are some recent data you should take into consideration.

The most recent figures show that financial help was given to 305 freshmen. Students of this school received an average of $32,604 in financial help.

Need-based

If you need help with paying for your studies and you meet some eligibility requirements, you may be eligible for need-based aid.

There were 1,299 students who received need-based financial aid of any kind. The overall number of students (including freshmen) who were determined to have financial need amounted to 1,313. The amount of federal need-based scholarships/grants awarded to the students at this institution was $4,222,957, and state $3,114,460. The students of St. Ambrose University received the -institutional need-based aid in the amount of $31,839,909, and external in the amount of $551,692.

$10,228

Average Amount of Aid Received

Non-Need Based

Non-need-based financial aid is any type of financial aid provided to a student who does not meet the criteria for need-based aid. The most popular forms of non-need-based financial aid for students are loans and grants, like Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loans, Graduate PLUS Loans, Parent PLUS Loans, and the Teacher Education Access for College and Higher Education (TEACH) Grant.

176 students, including freshmen, were awarded institutional non-need-based financial aid at this institution in 2025. 65 full-time freshmen were awarded institutional non-need-based scholarship or grant aid. Federal non-need-based scholarships and grants totaled $4,222,957 for students at this institution, while state aid came to $4,106. The total amount of institutional scholarships and awards that were not based on financial need was $9,164,240. This includes endowment, alumni, other institutional awards, and also external funds awarded by the institution, but doesn't include athletic aid and tuition waivers. The amount the students of this school received from external sources (e.g. Kiwanis, National Merit) was $158,342 USD.

Majors

Faculty

11:1

Student to Faculty Ratio

The student-to-faculty or student-to-professor ratio represents the number of students compared to the number of professors at a school.

According to the most recent data, the student-faculty ratio at St. Ambrose University was 11:1: that means 11 students per one teacher, which is considered a good ratio. This school has recently reported to have 304 faculty members. Out of that number, there were 124 men and 180 women. The fact that female faculty members outnumber the male ones at this school speaks volumes for gender equality at St. Ambrose University.

Student Population Diversity Graph

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100

Campus Life

Knowing what to expect out of campus life at a college or university can set you up for success. Check out some information about campus life at St. Ambrose University.

Its campus is 113 acres in size.

Student Organizations

Participating in multiple student organizations can add depth and fulfillment to your educational journey.

According to recently gathered data, there are 82 open-membership organizations at St. Ambrose University. The student organization that has the biggest membership is Bee Adaptive & Inclusive, followed by Black Student Union and Green Life. Other popular organizations at St. Ambrose University are Bee Readers and Dance Marathon.

If you are interested in music, you can join the St. Ambrose University band or chorus. For those drawn to acting, there is a drama club where you can participate. You have a talent for media and communication? St. Ambrose University publishes its own newspaper and has its own radio station.

Student Services

At St. Ambrose University, there are many amenities that make life on campus pleasant and safe.

24/7 emergency phone and alarm devices are available. There are electronically operated dormitory entrances. There is a security patrol available 24/7. The late-night transport/escort service is available.

This school has a health clinic with personal/psychological counseling. In addition, other services like Veteran's Affairs are available to the students of St. Ambrose University.

All in all, campus life at St. Ambrose University is rich and vibrant and provides everything most students need.

Career Services

Having career services at a college or university can mean a great deal for your career planning, so find out what you can expect at St. Ambrose University.

Career Counselling

At St. Ambrose University, there is both group career counseling for all students and individual career counseling for all students. There are a library, a job bank, and job fairs. Job interviews are also available to students through the career center. The career center offers resume preparation and resume referral to employers. There is campus employer recruitment for all the students. This school offers alumni networking opportunities, which could be excellent for your future career. Individual job placement is available to all students at this school.

FAQ

St. Ambrose University is located in Davenport, IA.

The overall full-time tuition per academic year for St. Ambrose University is 37,833 USD, based on the most recent data.

This school uses standardized test scores for admission.

The most recent data indicate that the acceptance rate for St. Ambrose University is 77%.

According to the latest information, the freshman retention rate for St. Ambrose University is 76%.

Contact Information

St. Ambrose University

518 W. Locust St.

Davenport , IA

52803-2898

563 333-6000

School Website

Data Source: IPEDS and Peterson's Databases © 2023 Peterson's LLC All rights reserved. Portions of this content were co-written with OpenAI's GPT-3.5 model.

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