ISU vs. St. Ambrose University

Comparable Facts

Compare Iowa State University in Ames, IA with Saint Ambrose University in Davenport, IA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Iowa State University is larger than St. Ambrose University based on total student enrollment (30,380 students vs. 2,498 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Iowa State University is located in Ames, IA (Small City setting); Saint Ambrose University is in Davenport, IA (Small City setting).
• Iowa State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Saint Ambrose University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Iowa State University 18:1; Saint Ambrose University 11:1.

ISU vs. St. Ambrose University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, ISU or St. Ambrose University ? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Iowa State University than St. Ambrose University ($17,779 vs. $25,345).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Iowa State University are 19.2% lower than at Saint Ambrose University ($10,808 vs. $13,378).
• Saint Ambrose University is 239.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than ISU (about $25,871 more per year; $36,658.00 vs. $10,787.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 26.9% higher at St. Ambrose University than at Iowa State University (about $7,777 more per year; $36,658.00 vs. $28,881.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Saint Ambrose University than at Iowa State University (100% vs. 77%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Saint Ambrose University students is 139.8% larger than aid received by Iowa State University students ($25,877 vs. $10,791).

ISU vs. St. Ambrose University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, ISU or St. Ambrose University ? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between St. Ambrose University and ISU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Iowa State University (1240) is 190 points higher than at St. Ambrose University (1050).
• Incoming ISU students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (24 vs. 22 at St. Ambrose University ).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Iowa State University 1120/1360; Saint Ambrose University 930/1170.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Iowa State University 21/28; Saint Ambrose University 20/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: ISU - Test optional; St. Ambrose University - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman ISU students have a 0.31 point higher average high school GPA (3.7) than students at St. Ambrose University (3.39).
• ISU has a higher acceptance rate (88.7%) than St. Ambrose University (77.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 28.8% at ISU vs. 16.7% at St. Ambrose University .

ISU vs. St. Ambrose University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for ISU and St. Ambrose University ? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Iowa State University's six-year graduation rate (68%) is higher than Saint Ambrose University's (62%).
• Graduates from Iowa State University earn a median of about $5,400 more per year than St. Ambrose University graduates about ten years after starting college ($53,700 vs. $48,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Iowa State University graduates have a $1,896 lower median loan debt than St. Ambrose University graduates ($23,868 vs. $25,764).
• Among borrowers, ISU graduates have an estimated $20 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than St. Ambrose University graduates ($246 vs. $266).
• More ISU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former St. Ambrose University students, three years after graduation. (74% vs. 71%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.