North Central College vs. St. Ambrose University

Deciding between North Central College and Saint Ambrose University? The table below shows tuition, aid, admissions, and outcomes side by side. Data comes from public sources across more than 3,000 U.S. colleges and universities. No account is required.

North Central College
Saint Ambrose University

Frequently compared to these colleges. Click a college to add to the comparison. 

  • Overview

  • Location
  • North Central College Naperville, IL
  • St. Ambrose University Davenport, IA
  • Setting
  • North Central College Midsize City
  • St. Ambrose University Small City
  • Total enrollment
  • North Central College 3,003
  • St. Ambrose University 2,498
  • Type
  • North Central College Private 4 Year
  • St. Ambrose University Private 4 Year
  • National Ranking
  • North Central College #372
  • St. Ambrose University #441
  • Religious Affiliation
  • North Central College United Methodist
  • St. Ambrose University Roman Catholic
  • Status
  • North Central College Non-profit
  • St. Ambrose University Non-profit
  • Team Colors
  • North Central College
  • St. Ambrose University
  • Cost

  • Tuition (In State)
  • North Central College $45,726
  • St. Ambrose University $36,658
  • Tuition (Out of State)
  • North Central College $45,726
  • St. Ambrose University $36,658
  • Room & Board
  • North Central College $14,688
  • St. Ambrose University $13,378
  • Average Net Price
  • North Central College $23,276
  • St. Ambrose University $25,345
  • Average Grant Aid
  • North Central College $34,056
  • St. Ambrose University $25,877
  • % Receiving Grant Aid
  • North Central College 100%
  • St. Ambrose University 100%
  • Admissions

  • Applied
  • North Central College 4,596
  • St. Ambrose University 2,964
  • Admitted
  • North Central College 3,554
  • St. Ambrose University 2,292
  • Acceptance Rate
  • North Central College 77.3%
  • St. Ambrose University 77.3%
  • Enrolled
  • North Central College 13.6%
  • St. Ambrose University 16.7%
  • Typical SAT score
  • North Central College 1180
  • St. Ambrose University 1050
  • Typical ACT score
  • North Central College 26
  • St. Ambrose University 22
  • Average High School GPA
  • North Central College 3.6
  • St. Ambrose University 3.39
  • Typical High School Grades
  • North Central College A-
  • St. Ambrose University B+
  • Admissions Standards
  • North Central College Challenging
  • St. Ambrose University Easy
  • Applicant Competition
  • North Central College
  • St. Ambrose University
  • ACT Range
  • North Central College 24/29
  • St. Ambrose University 20/25
  • SAT Range
  • North Central College 1055/1310
  • St. Ambrose University 930/1170
  • Submit Test Scores
  • North Central College Test optional
  • St. Ambrose University Test optional
  • Application Deadline
  • North Central College Apr 15, 2027
  • St. Ambrose University
  • Academics

  • Student to Faculty Ratio
  • North Central College 12:1
  • St. Ambrose University 11:1
  • Popular Majors
  • North Central College
    • Business (28%)
    • Education (13%)
    • Social Sciences (12%)
    • Communication (7%)
    • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (6%)
  • St. Ambrose University
    • Business (32%)
    • Psychology (12%)
    • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (11%)
    • Education (9%)
    • Health Professions (7%)
  • Outcomes

  • Graduation Rate
  • North Central College 64%
  • St. Ambrose University 62%
  • Median Earnings (After 10 years)
  • North Central College $48,900
  • St. Ambrose University $48,300
  • Making Student Loan Payments
  • North Central College 74%
  • St. Ambrose University 71%
  • Median Student Loan Debt
  • North Central College $25,000
  • St. Ambrose University $25,764
  • Median Loan Payment
  • North Central College $258
  • St. Ambrose University $266
  • Diversity

  • % Men
  • North Central College 45%
  • St. Ambrose University 43%
  • % Women
  • North Central College 55%
  • St. Ambrose University 57%
  • Racial Diversity
  • North Central College Low
  • St. Ambrose University Very Low
  • HBCU
  • North Central College No
  • St. Ambrose University No
  • % White
  • North Central College 71%
  • St. Ambrose University 80%
  • % Asian
  • North Central College 2%
  • St. Ambrose University 1%
  • % Black
  • North Central College 4%
  • St. Ambrose University 3%
  • % Hispanic
  • North Central College 11%
  • St. Ambrose University 6%
  • % Native American
  • North Central College 0%
  • St. Ambrose University 0%
  • % Pacific Islander
  • North Central College 0%
  • St. Ambrose University 0%
  • % Two or More Races
  • North Central College 3%
  • St. Ambrose University 2%
  • % International
  • North Central College 2%
  • St. Ambrose University 3%
  • % Unknown Race
  • North Central College 7%
  • St. Ambrose University 4%
  • Students

  • % In-State
  • North Central College 80%
  • St. Ambrose University 38%
  • % Out-of-State
  • North Central College 16%
  • St. Ambrose University 60%
  • Campus

  • Campus Housing
  • North Central College Yes
  • St. Ambrose University Yes
  • Freshman Dorm Required
  • North Central College No
  • St. Ambrose University No
  • Meal Plan
  • North Central College Yes
  • St. Ambrose University Yes
  • Weekend/Evening Classes
  • North Central College Yes
  • St. Ambrose University Yes
  • Daycare Facility
  • North Central College No
  • St. Ambrose University No
  • Learn More
  • North Central College Details
  • St. Ambrose University Details

Comparable Facts

Compare North Central College in Naperville, IL with Saint Ambrose University in Davenport, IA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

North Central College is larger than St. Ambrose University based on total student enrollment (3,003 students vs. 2,498 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • North Central College is located in Naperville, IL (Midsize City setting); Saint Ambrose University is in Davenport, IA (Small City setting).
  • North Central College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Saint Ambrose University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: North Central College 12:1; Saint Ambrose University 11:1.

North Central College vs. St. Ambrose University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, North Central College 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 North Central College than St. Ambrose University ($23,276 vs. $25,345).
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Saint Ambrose University are 8.9% lower than at North Central College ($13,378 vs. $14,688).
  • North Central College is 24.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than St. Ambrose University (about $9,068 more per year; $45,726.00 vs. $36,658.00).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 24.7% higher at North Central College than at Saint Ambrose University (about $9,068 more per year; $45,726.00 vs. $36,658.00).
  • The same share of students receive grant aid at North Central College as at Saint Ambrose University (100% vs. 100%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by North Central College students is 31.6% larger than aid received by Saint Ambrose University students ($34,056 vs. $25,877).

North Central College vs. St. Ambrose University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, North Central College 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 North Central College.

  • The typical SAT score (median estimate) at North Central College (1180) is 130 points higher than at St. Ambrose University (1050).
  • Incoming North Central College students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (26 vs. 22 at St. Ambrose University ).
  • Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: North Central College 1055/1310; Saint Ambrose University 930/1170.
  • Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: North Central College 24/29; Saint Ambrose University 20/25.
  • Submitting SAT or ACT scores: North Central College - Test optional; St. Ambrose University - Test optional.
  • Typical fall application deadline: North Central College Apr 15, 2027.
  • Accepted freshman North Central College students have a 0.21 point higher average high school GPA (3.6) than students at St. Ambrose University (3.39).
  • North Central College has a higher acceptance rate (77.3%) than St. Ambrose University (77.3%).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.6% at North Central College vs. 16.7% at St. Ambrose University .

North Central College vs. St. Ambrose University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for North Central College 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).

  • North Central College's six-year graduation rate (64%) is higher than Saint Ambrose University's (62%).
  • Graduates from North Central College earn a median of about $600 more per year than St. Ambrose University graduates about ten years after starting college ($48,900 vs. $48,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
  • Among federal student loan borrowers, North Central College graduates have a $764 lower median loan debt than St. Ambrose University graduates ($25,000 vs. $25,764).
  • Among borrowers, North Central College graduates have an estimated $8 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than St. Ambrose University graduates ($258 vs. $266).
  • More North Central College 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.