About Saint Ambrose University

Founded in 1882, Saint Ambrose University. is a Private college. Located in Iowa, which is a city setting in Iowa, the campus itself is Urban. The campus is home to 2,404 full time undergraduate students, and 780 full time graduate students.

The Saint Ambrose University Academic calendar runs on a Semester basis. In the school year the student to faculty ratio was 11:1. There are 212 full time instructional teachers. Degrees awarded at Saint Ambrose University include: Bachelor's Degree, Masters Degree, Post-master's certificate, Doctor's degree.

Quick Facts

Acceptance Rate63%
Application Deadline
Application Fee0
SAT Range
ACT Range20-25

Admissions at SAU are considered Selective, with ,26% of all applicants being admitted.

In the school year, of the students who applied to the school, only 10 of those who were admitted eventually ended up enrolling.

66% of incoming freshmen are in the top half of their high school class. 36% were in the top quarter, and 18% were in the top tenth. You can apply online.

STUDENT LIFE Reviews

We asked, and students answered these important questions about student life at Saint Ambrose University.

0%
“We”re apathetic”
25%
“We know about current events and vote”
75%
“We participate and encourage others to get involved”
0%
“There”s nothing we won”t protest”
0%
“We save it for the classroom”
25%
“Sometimes, but not often”
75%
“There”s usually intelligent conversation to be found”
0%
“All the time, including weekends”
0%
“I”m always terrified”
0%
“I only go out in groups”
38%
“I usually let someone know where I”m going”
63%
“I feel extremely safe”
13%
“We don”t play sports”
0%
“We play recreationally”
38%
“We bought the gear”
50%
“We live for the big game”
0%
“It”s not really our thing”
0%
“Occasinally we gallery crawl”
100%
“There are a variety of opportunities”
0%
“We”re a very artistic group”
0%
“Haven”t met them”
0%
“Available in class”
75%
“They keep regular office hours”
25%
“They”re always available”
63%
“No greek life, but other groups to join”
25%
“There is some involvement, but not a lot”
13%
“Plenty of people join a sorority or fraternity”
0%
“It”s everything. If you”re not greek, you”re a geek”
13%
“We”re not into drinking at all”
38%
“Maybe a little, but it”s not a big thing”
50%
“We only party on weekends”
0%
“There”s some drinking happening every night”
25%
“Never, we”re here to learn”
75%
“There might be people who do”
0%
“People are known to partake on weekends”
0%
“There”s a huge drug scene”
0%
“We”re apathetic”
25%
“We know about current events and vote”
75%
“We participate and encourage others to get involved”
0%
“There”s nothing we won”t protest”
0%
“We save it for the classroom”
25%
“Sometimes, but not often”
75%
“There”s usually intelligent conversation to be found”
0%
“All the time, including weekends”
0%
“I”m always terrified”
0%
“I only go out in groups”
38%
“I usually let someone know where I”m going”
63%
“I feel extremely safe”
13%
“We don”t play sports”
0%
“We play recreationally”
38%
“We bought the gear”
50%
“We live for the big game”
0%
“It”s not really our thing”
0%
“Occasinally we gallery crawl”
100%
“There are a variety of opportunities”
0%
“We”re a very artistic group”
0%
“Haven”t met them”
0%
“Available in class”
75%
“They keep regular office hours”
25%
“They”re always available”
63%
“No greek life, but other groups to join”
25%
“There is some involvement, but not a lot”
13%
“Plenty of people join a sorority or fraternity”
0%
“It”s everything. If you”re not greek, you”re a geek”
13%
“We”re not into drinking at all”
38%
“Maybe a little, but it”s not a big thing”
50%
“We only party on weekends”
0%
“There”s some drinking happening every night”
25%
“Never, we”re here to learn”
75%
“There might be people who do”
0%
“People are known to partake on weekends”
0%
“There”s a huge drug scene”
Write a review, Enter to win $1,000 Scholarship

  • How would you rate on-campus housing?

    65 Students rated on-campus housing 4 stars. 31 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate off-campus housing?

    46 Students rated off-campus housing 3.5 stars. 0 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate campus food?

    71 Students rated campus food 3.2 stars. 17 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate campus facilities?

    76 Students rated campus facilities 4.2 stars. 38 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate class size?

    76 Students rated class size 4.6 stars. 67 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate school activities?

    76 Students rated school activities 3.9 stars. 34 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate local services?

    76 Students rated local services 4.2 stars. 39 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate academics?

    76 Students rated academics 3.8 stars. 28 % gave the school a 5.0.

Saint Ambrose University REVIEWS

What's your overall opinion of Saint Ambrose University?

15 Students rated Saint Ambrose University

Isabella - 01/11/2024

SAU is overall a great school. It seems like more than half the student body is involved in sports or extracurricular activities. Most of my professors are very accessible and willing to meet. I have only had trouble with one professor in 3 semesters. The community is great. The quad city area hosts about 5 small colleges so this is sort of a "college town." There are fun clubs downtown and if you are looking for a tailgate or house party there is always something going on.

Molly - 08/16/2020

I have loved Saint Ambrose since I stepped on campus for my visit. I am even more in love since I've been a student here for a year now. The campus is not only beautiful but it is also safe and very student friendly. The people on campus are amazing and the staff makes it known that the students matter. The athletic programs on campus are also some of the best in the NAIA, and I know that these athletes are seen as students 1st and then athlete. Overall the school is an amazing place to be.

Chealsa - 04/17/2020

Very good with knowing about disability services and tours. Admissions are very knowladable about transfer credits. Emily Duve is amazing as she knew the class goes from other colleges and how my transfers would rank with credits. Dorms see very good for a public college.

Meghan - 03/24/2020

Saint Ambrose University is a great place for higher education! The campus community is inclusive of everyone, and from your first visit there you will notice how nice everyone is there. We are a liberal arts university, so we get a lot of extra opportunities that students at non-liberal arts colleges may not have the chance to have.

Saint Ambrose University FAQS

  1. What is the Acceptance Rate at Saint Ambrose University?

    The fall 2020 acceptance rate for Saint Ambrose University is 63%. That means, out of _____ applications received in 2020 , _____ students were offered admission. The number of males who applied was _____ vs the number of females which was _____.

  2. What should every freshman at your school know before they start?

    Get invloved with as much as you can and do the best you can in school because you can't go back.

    Read all 87 answers

  3. What kind of person should attend this school?

    Anyone who wants a school where you know your professors by name and recognize majority of the people in your classes.

    Read all 17 answers

  4. What's the one thing you wish someone had told you about freshman year?

    That I would have been able to attend years earlier through their nights and weekend excel program. The school staff prepares you well for what is n store. Little is left to question staff are quick to respond and easily available for further needs you may have. They are friendly and respectful at all times, ready to go the extra mile providing a great experience for you to grasp the knowledge needed for your major and plan ahead for the addition of future degrees or plan for graduate school. Tools are avail 24/7 on the internet to assist you.

    Read all 16 answers

  5. Describe how your school looks to someone who's never seen it.

    Saint Ambrose is a very professional liberal arts University that offers a well-rounded education for all of those who attend.

    Read all 15 answers

  6. Describe your favorite campus traditions.

    Everything

    Read all 15 answers

  7. What do you consider the worst thing about your school? Why?

    I would say the worst thing about my school is the surrounding area. It isnt the nicest place in the world. It has alot of crime problems. The neighborhoods are real ghetto and worn . Gang related activity is taking place around the campus but never on it.

    Read all 15 answers

  8. What do you brag about most when you tell your friends about your school?

    I brag about the dorms that St. Ambrose University has, because they are the best I have seen for freshman. My dorm is newly built, carpeted, large, air-conditioned, and suite-style (4 people share a bathroom that is cleaned weekly).

    Read all 15 answers

  9. Describe the students at your school.

    My classmates are very helfpful and open to creative ideas.

    Read all 14 answers

  10. Here's your chance: Say anything about your college!

    The quality of the dorm life at St. Ambrose is very unique of any other schools I considered. Ambrose has very high quality dorms and other living areas. All dorms are suite style so you don't have to share a bathroom with more than 5 other people. They also have a lot of on-campus houses to give students real-life feel while still not paying extra rent. All of the housing is very well kept and nice, comfortable amounts of space.

    Read all 13 answers

  11. What's unique about your campus?

    I love that St. Ambrose University offers many diverse classes and opportunities and yet it retains the one-on-one attention and focus of a smaller school. I love that my professors know my name and that I can interact with my peers and fellow classmates throughout the semester. St. Ambrose is really great about giving opportunities to students without limiting them. I am able to choose from many classes and explose the areas that interest me the most. I love the freedom of this school.

    Read all 12 answers

  12. What's the most frustrating thing about your school?

    The cost of tuition is pretty high. The school offers so many scholarships and grants for those living on campus but there is very little available for off campus students. Another downside of being an off campus student at St. Ambrose is the lack of parking available, even with the purchase of a parking sticker.

    Read all 12 answers

  13. What kind of person should not attend this school?

    I believe that everyone should have a chance to further their education. You never really know someone's personality until you actually interact with them and then sometimes interaction doesn't show someone's true character.

    Read all 11 answers

  14. What is your overall opinion of this school?

    This school is awesome. It's very small and intimate, and I love it. Campus is not too big which means I can wake up fifteen minutes before class starts and get to the room with plenty of time to spare.

    Read all 1 answers

Student Body

Students

57%

female

43%

male

2,404

Total Undergrad Enrollment

780

Total Grad Students

69%

Out-Of-State

29%

In-State

2%

International

Organizations

26

Student Organizations

N/A

Fraternities

N/A

Sororities

Housing

Yes

On-Campus Housing

47%

of students living on campus

Student Diversity

% American Indian/Alaskan Native
N/A
% Asian/Pacific Islander
1%
% Black or African-American
4%
% Hispanic/Latino
7%
% White or Caucasian
78%

TUITION & AID

All students must apply yearly for financial aid. This process starts with the FAFSA. Though financial aid deadlines vary by school, it is a good idea to apply as soon as possible. For the upcoming school year, you can apply as early as October 1 for the FAFSA. Additional school aid will be dependent on the FAFSA results.

100% of students attending Saint Ambrose University receive some sort of financial aid. 25% were awarded federal grants. While 71% received federal loans. Many students do also need to apply for additional private student loans.

Cost Out of State

$29,150

Tuition and fees(Out of state)

$1,200

Books and Supplies

$9,869

Room and Board

40,219

Total On Campus

Actual Cost By Income Level(W/Financial Aid)

Family Income
Cost
$0 - $30K
$21,190
$30 - $48K
$22,696
$48 - $75K
$23,207
$75 - $110K
$23,640
$110K & UP
$25,201

We use student reviews and the most current publicly available data on our school pages. As such, we don't typically remove or edit college information. Sources for school statistics and data include the U.S. Department of Education's National Center for Education Statistics and the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System. Portions of college data include copyrighted material, which is reproduced on this website by permission of Wintergreen Orchard House, a division of Carnegie Communications. © 2009-2016 by Wintergreen Orchard House. All rights reserved.

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