Saint Ambrose University
Saint Ambrose University — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Saint Ambrose University at a Glance
St. Ambrose University (SAU) is a private Catholic university in Davenport, Iowa, United States. It was founded as a school of commerce for young men in 1882.
1882
144 years old
$317M
$317 million (2026)
2,747
2,118 undergrad · 629 grad
350
177 acres
Identity
Is Saint Ambrose University Worth It?
At a value score of 37/100, Saint Ambrose University is a below-average value relative to its cost. Graduates earn $59,531 — 11% above average — while paying $24,691/year. Consider alternatives with better earnings-to-cost ratios.
The investment pays for itself in just 1.7 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
The 62% graduation rate means roughly 38% of students leave without a degree — taking on debt without the earnings boost that completion brings.
Bottom line: consider whether the specific program you're interested in at Saint Ambrose University has outcomes that justify the cost — the institution-wide numbers suggest caution.
How Saint Ambrose University compares to peer private nonprofit colleges of similar tier in IA
Ranked #51 of 154 on value score. Peers are matched by size, median earnings, SAT, and admission rate — not just geography.
| Rank | College | Value | Net price / yr | Median earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Christian Brothers University | 81 | $9,854 | $57,478 |
| #2 | University of Detroit Mercy | 79 | $15,232 | $71,030 |
| #3 | Baptist Health Sciences University | 75 | $11,212 | $72,529 |
| #4 | Andrews University | 73 | $12,547 | $53,187 |
| #5 | Holy Family University | 72 | $13,143 | $62,235 |
| #6 | Albion College | 61 | $14,301 | $58,799 |
| #51 | Saint Ambrose University | 37 | $24,691 | $59,531 |
Peer group: private nonprofit colleges within ±60% of Saint Ambrose University's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 8 in IA.
Best Programs at Saint Ambrose University
The highest-earning program at Saint Ambrose University is Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at $56,200/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Health and Physical Education/Fitness at $25,500/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing graduate from Saint Ambrose University earns $56,200, while a Health and Physical Education/Fitness graduate earns $25,500. That's more than a 2× difference from the same institution. Choose your program carefully — it's the single biggest lever you control.
Debt also varies by program: Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing graduates carry $26,906 in median debt vs. $26,200 for Health and Physical Education/Fitness.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $24,691/yr net price × 4 years
Earnings Premium
vs. national average of $53,787/yr
Payback Period
Time to recoup the total cost through higher earnings
10-Year Net Gain
Median earnings over 10 years minus total cost of attendance
Programs & Earnings by Major
Graduate earnings data by field of study (4 years after graduation):
| Major | Earnings (4yr) | Earnings (1yr) | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $56,200 | $56,200 | $26,906 |
| Accounting and Related Services | $48,700 | $48,700 | $24,812 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $45,700 | $45,700 | N/A |
| Marketing | $40,600 | $40,600 | $25,427 |
| Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods | $39,800 | $39,800 | $26,000 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $35,700 | $35,700 | $27,000 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas | $35,400 | $35,400 | $26,562 |
| Psychology, General | $26,100 | $26,100 | $24,993 |
| Health and Physical Education/Fitness | $25,500 | $25,500 | $26,200 |
Similar Colleges in IA
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- private
- Location
- Davenport, IA
- Student Body
- 1,916 students
- Admission Rate
- 77%
- Graduation Rate
- 62%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $24,691
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $59,531
- Median Student Debt
- $25,000