Quick Facts About SAU
For 2021, SAU was ranked 27th by U.S. News & World Report (2021) Regional Universities Midwest out of a region of 12 states. The publication gathers data from each college on up to 15 indicators of academic excellence. Each factor is assigned a weight that reflects U.S. News' judgment about how much that measure matters. Finally, the colleges and universities in each category are ranked against their peers, based on their composite weighted score.
In other categories, U.S. News & World Report ranked SAU as:
- 19th Best College for Veterans due to our participation in federal initiatives helping veterans and active-duty service members pay for their degrees
- 33rd Best Value (calculated by net cost of attendance)
- an A+ School for B Students. Membership on this list is based on metrics of first-year students such as their high school rank and standardized test scores.
From the Princeton Review, St. Ambrose University is one of the Best in the Midwest, which is notable because Princeton only ranks 23% of U.S. four-year colleges. We ranked highest in admissions selectivity and interesting and accessible professors.
The SAU Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) program ranked 5th Best DBA Program by CollegeChoice.net (2019). Rankings were based on quality, reputation, affordability, value, and satisfaction, and placing in the top 10 is an honor SAU shares with Harvard, Creighton, and Washington University in St. Louis.
Learn SAU traditions Discover the Quad Cities
A Multicultural Experience
The SAU community is dedicated to appreciating and understanding different cultures.
we hit the playbooks harder
St. Ambrose tops NAIA with 25 scholar-teams! To earn this award, the team must have a minimum 3.0-grade point average (on a 4.0 scale) as defined by the institution. Go Brainy Bees!
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Then, contact us so we can learn more about you and check for other awards, scholarships and grants for which you may qualify. Each year, St. Ambrose University awards nearly $30 million in institutional aid and scholarships. Take the first step and ask. Our admissions representatives are happy to help.
Welcome Week
Welcome Week marks your first days on campus and gives you the full experience of what it means to be Ambrosian: taking an Urban Plunge to serve your community, learning together, and having fun.
More About SAU
Affiliation Roman Catholic, Diocese of Davenport
Established 1882
Type Private, Catholic, comprehensive university grounded in the liberal arts
President Amy C. Novak, EdD, since 2021
Location Main campus is in Davenport, Iowa
Economic Significance to the Quad Cities Annual economic impact of $200 million
Our undergraduate and graduate programs allow you to dive into your academic goals or discover your real passion.
Here are some highlights, but then head over to the Academics page to get a complete picture of how SAU prepares you for a fulfilling, meaningful career.
Majors and Programs
More than 60 undergraduate majors, 11 master's, and three doctoral programs offered through the colleges of Arts and Sciences, Business, and Health and Human Services.
High-Impact Practices
Internships, service learning, honors, research, and career readiness
Study Abroad
Fall and spring semesters, winter and May interim, and summer programs offered in more than 40 countries
Accreditation
St. Ambrose University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, www.hlcommission.org, 800-621-7440.
Enrollment Fall 2021
Undergraduates: 2,231 (2,124 full-time; 107 part-time)
Graduate Students: 685 (479 full-time; 206 part-time)
Gender
Coeducational since 1968
Women: 1,716 (1,221 undergraduates; 495 graduates)
Men: 1,200 (1,010 undergraduates; 190 graduates)
Diversity
Undergraduates: 21.8 percent of students identify themselves as belonging to a minority group
Graduates: 13.9 percent of students identify themselves as belonging to a minority group
Average class size
20, with a 12:1 student-faculty ratio
Workforce
Faculty: 316
Staff: 235
Mascot – Fighting Bees
31 varsity intercollegiate sports
Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference (CCAC) – Baseball, Men's and Women's Basketball, Men's and Women's Cross Country, Men's and Women's Golf, Men's and Women's Soccer, Softball, Men's and Women's Swimming and Diving, Men's and Women's Tennis, Men's and Women's Indoor/Outdoor Track & Field, Men's Volleyball, Women's Volleyball
Mid-States Football Association (MSFA) Midwest League – Football
Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference (KCAC) – Men's and Women's Lacrosse
Heart of America Conference – Wrestling
National Association of Collegiate Esports (NACE) – Esports
2019-20 Athletic Honor Roll: 2 National Championships, 8 National appearances, 53 All-Conference, 25 Scholar Teams (leading the NAIA), 145 Scholar-Athletes, and more. Click here for the complete list