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Estimated cost of attendance
Tuition and fees
Tuition and fees for St. Ambrose University
Get detailed breakdowns of expenses, tuition, and fees to help you make informed decisions about earning your degree at SAU.
How much is tuition at SAU?
Your success is our only mission. That means we’re committed to providing a clear understanding of what you should expect to pay. Review our tuition and fees tables for an overview. For detailed program costs, visit the specific degree pages. Your education is more affordable than you think.
These are the estimated costs of attending St. Ambrose University as an undergraduate in 2026-27. It’s based on full-time enrollment (12 or more credit hours) during Fall and Spring semesters. There is a one-time $100 matriculation fee for new students.
Full-time student living on campus
| Expense | By Semester | By Year |
|---|---|---|
| Full-Time Tuition (12-18 credits)* | $19,674 | $39,348 |
| Housing** | $4,313 | $8,625 |
| Food*** | $3,135 | $6,270 |
| Technology Fee | $150 | $300 |
| Books, Supplies, Course Materials, Equipment | $660 | $1,320 |
| Transportation | $729 | $1,458 |
| Personal/Other/Loan fees ($70 avg.)**** | $818 | $1,636 |
| Total Budget | $29,479 | $58,957 |
Dependent off campus, living with parents
| Expense | By Semester | By Year |
|---|---|---|
| Full-Time Tuition (12-18 credits)* | $19,674 | $39,348 |
| Housing** | $972 | $1,944 |
| Food*** | $1,656 | $3,312 |
| Technology Fee | $150 | $300 |
| Books, Supplies, Course Materials, Equipment | $660 | $1,320 |
| Transportation | $810 | $1,620 |
| Personal/Other/Loan fees ($70 avg.)**** | $818 | $1,636 |
| Total Budget | $24,740 | $49,480 |
Independent student living off campus
| Expense | By Semester | By Year |
|---|---|---|
| Full-Time Tuition (12-18 credits)* | $19,674 | $39,348 |
| Housing** | $3,375 | $6,750 |
| Food*** | $1,656 | $3,312 |
| Technology Fee | $150 | $300 |
| Books, Supplies, Course Materials, Equipment | $660 | $1,320 |
| Transportation | $810 | $1,620 |
| Clothing/Personal**** | $1,080 | $2,160 |
| Medical Care/Other/Loan fees ($115 avg) | $1,541 | $3,082 |
| Total Budget | $28,946 | $57,892 |
*Based on 2026-2027 tuition and fees. Tuition and fees are subject to change each summer.
**This cost is estimated, actual housing cost will vary by student selections.
***Cost estimate based on 3 meals per day.
****Personal expenses can include phone charges, clothing, entertainment, laundry, and other costs.
Additional information:
- View the 25-26 Cost of Attendance
- St. Ambrose University's DOD Military Tuition Assistance Per-Unit Rate is $1,261 per credit
These are the estimated 2025-26 costs of attending St. Ambrose University for Master’s students the summer, fall, and spring semesters. There is a one-time $100 matriculation fee for new students. Refer to the individual academic program page to see exact cost of tuition for each Master's degree program.
Master's student living off campus
| Expense | Per Summer Session | Per Semester (Part-time, Fall or Spring) |
Per Semester (Full-time, Fall or Spring) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tuition* | $2,360 - $7,920** | $3,080 - $10,230** | $9,440 - $16,610 |
| Books | $165 - $330 | $330 | $660 |
| Technology Fee | $70 | $70 | $140 |
| Housing*** | $1,643 | $3,285 | $3,285 |
| Food**** | $803 | $1,606 | $1,606 |
| Transportation | $405 | $810 | $810 |
| Clothing/Personal***** | $540 | $1,080 | $1,080 |
| Medical Care/Other/Loan fees ($218 avg) | $796 | $1,593 | $1,593 |
| Total Budget |
$6,782 - $12,507 |
$11,854 - $19,004 | $18,614 - $25,784 |
*Based on 2025-2026 tuition and fees. Tuition and fees are subject to change each summer.
**Excludes one-price master programs (MSLP & MPAS), which divide cost equally across all semesters.
***This cost is estimated, actual housing cost will vary by student selections.
****Cost estimate based on 3 meals per day.
*****Personal expenses can include phone charges, clothing, entertainment, laundry, and other costs.
These are the estimated 2025-26 costs of attending St. Ambrose University for Doctoral students the summer, fall, and spring semesters. There is a one-time $100 matriculation fee for new students. Refer to the individual academic program page to see exact cost of tuition for each Doctoral degree program.
Doctoral student living off campus
| Expense | Per Summer Session | Per Semester (Part-time, Fall or Spring) |
Per Semester (Full-time, Fall or Spring) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tuition* | $3,945 - $8,905 | $3,945** | $7,890 - $23,190 |
| Books | $165 - $330 | $330 | $660 |
| Technology Fee | $70 | $70 | $140 |
| Housing*** | $1,643 | $3,285 | $3,285 |
| Food**** | $803 | $1,606 | $1,606 |
| Transportation | $405 | $810 | $810 |
| Clothing/Personal***** | $540 | $1,080 | $1,080 |
| Medical Care/Other/Loan fees ($218 avg) | $797 | $1,594 | $1,594 |
| Total Budget | $8,367 - $13,492 | $12,720 | $17,065 - $32,365 |
*Based on 2025-2026 tuition and fees. Tuition and fees are subject to change each summer.
**Excludes OTD and DPT programs, which do not include part-time options in Fall or Spring semesters.
***This cost is estimated, actual housing cost will vary by student selections.
****Cost estimate based on 3 meals per day.
*****Personal expenses can include phone charges, clothing, entertainment, laundry, and other costs.
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St. Ambrose University recognizes and rewards students for their academic performance. Every student is awarded a scholarship based on their GPA.
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