NNU vs. St. Ambrose University

Should I go to Northwest Nazarene University or Saint Ambrose University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if NNU or St. Ambrose University is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.

Add a college to compare up to four schools

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

Boise State Augustana Loras College ISU Monmouth College Idaho WUSTL UIU Bradley DUofC Roosevelt University University of Portland
Northwest Nazarene University vs. Saint Ambrose University comparison
Northwest Nazarene University Saint Ambrose University College 3 College 4
Northwest Nazarene University Saint Ambrose University
Remove Remove +Add +Add

Overview

NNU St. Ambrose University
Location Nampa, ID Davenport, IA
Setting Small City Small City
Enrollment 1,778 2,747
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #761 #402
Religious Affiliation Church of the Nazarene Roman Catholic - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website nnu.edu sau.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

NNU St. Ambrose University
Tuition (In State) $35,548 $34,290
Tuition (Out of State) $35,548 $34,290
Room & Board $10,500 $11,988
Avg Net Price $25,674 $23,359
Avg Grant Aid $21,411 $25,476
% Receiving Grant Aid 99% 100%

Admission

NNU St. Ambrose University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 3,394 3,589
Admitted 2,993 2,653
Acceptance Rate 88.2%Open 73.9%
Enrolled % 8%Open 17.3%
Avg High School GPA 3.59 3.39
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Average Average
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 19/27 20/27
SAT Range 1000/1240 1020/1240
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Aug 15, 2025

Academics

NNU St. Ambrose University
Student to Faculty Ratio 13:1 12:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (30%)
  • Education (12%)
  • Health Professions (10%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (9%)
  • Biology (7%)
  • Business (32%)
  • Psychology (12%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (11%)
  • Education (9%)
  • Health Professions (7%)

Outcomes

NNU St. Ambrose University
Graduation Rate 52% 62%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $43,000 $48,300
Making Student Loan Payments 66% 71%
Median Student Loan Debt $26,000 $25,764
Median Loan Payment $268 $266

Diversity

NNU St. Ambrose University
% Men 37% 42%
% Women 63% 58%
Racial Diversity Low Low
HBCU No No
% White 75% 80%
% Black 2% 3%
% Hispanic 10% 6%
% Native American 1% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 2% 2%
% International 3% 3%
% Unknown Race 6% 4%

Students

NNU St. Ambrose University
% In-State 55% 33%
% Out-of-State 42% 64%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Saint Ambrose University is larger than than NNU based on total student enrollment (2,747 students vs. 1,778 students)

NNU vs. St. Ambrose University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, NNU or St. Ambrose University ?

  • Northwest Nazarene University is 3.7% more expensive to attend than St. Ambrose University for in-state tuition ($35,548.00 vs. $34,290.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 3.7% higher at NNU than Saint Ambrose University ($35,548.00 vs. $34,290.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Saint Ambrose University than NNU ($23,359 vs. $25,674)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Northwest Nazarene University are 14.2% lower than costs at Saint Ambrose University ($10,500 vs. $11,988)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Saint Ambrose University than Northwest Nazarene University (100% vs. 99%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Saint Ambrose University students is 19% larger than aid received Northwest Nazarene University ($25,476 vs. $21,411)

NNU vs. St. Ambrose University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, NNU or St. Ambrose University ? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between St. Ambrose University or NNU .

  • The average SAT score at Northwest Nazarene University (1056) is 6 points higher than at St. Ambrose University (1050)
  • Incoming NNU students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (24) than students at St. Ambrose University (23)
  • Accepted freshman NNU students have a 0.2 point higher average high school GPA (3.59) than students at St. Ambrose University (3.39)
  • NNU has a higher acceptance rate (88.2%) than St. Ambrose University (73.9%)

NNU vs. St. Ambrose University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, NNU or St. Ambrose University ? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between St. Ambrose University and NNU.

  • The graduation rate at St. Ambrose University is higher than Northwest Nazarene University (62% vs. 52%)
  • Graduates from Saint Ambrose University earn on average $5,300 more per year than NNU graduates after ten years. ($48,300 vs. $43,000)
  • Saint Ambrose University students graduate with a $236 lower median federal student loan debt than NNU graduates. ($25,764 vs. $26,000)
  • St. Ambrose University graduates are paying $2 less per month on federal student loans than NNU graduates. ($266 vs. $268)
  • More St. Ambrose University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former NNU students, three years after graduation. (71% vs. 66%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/