St. Mary's College vs. St. Ambrose University

Comparable Facts

Compare Saint Mary's College in Notre Dame, IN with Saint Ambrose University in Davenport, IA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Saint Ambrose University is larger than St. Mary's College based on total student enrollment (2,498 students vs. 1,601 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Saint Mary's College is located in Notre Dame, IN (Rural Fringe setting); Saint Ambrose University is in Davenport, IA (Small City setting).
• Saint Mary's College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Saint Ambrose University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Saint Mary's College 9:1; Saint Ambrose University 11:1.

St. Mary's College vs. St. Ambrose University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, St. Mary's 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 Saint Ambrose University than St. Mary's College ($25,345 vs. $27,865).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Saint Ambrose University are 6.2% lower than at Saint Mary's College ($13,378 vs. $14,260).
• Saint Mary's College is 45.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than St. Ambrose University (about $16,572 more per year; $53,230.00 vs. $36,658.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 45.2% higher at St. Mary's College than at Saint Ambrose University (about $16,572 more per year; $53,230.00 vs. $36,658.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Saint Mary's College as at Saint Ambrose University (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Saint Mary's College students is 49.7% larger than aid received by Saint Ambrose University students ($38,748 vs. $25,877).

St. Mary's College vs. St. Ambrose University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, St. Mary's 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 St. Mary's College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Saint Mary's College (1230) is 180 points higher than at St. Ambrose University (1050).
• Incoming St. Mary's College students have a 6 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (28 vs. 22 at St. Ambrose University ).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Saint Mary's College 1130/1325; Saint Ambrose University 930/1170.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Saint Mary's College 26/30; Saint Ambrose University 20/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: St. Mary's College - Test optional; St. Ambrose University - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman St. Mary's College students have a 0.44 point higher average high school GPA (3.83) than students at St. Ambrose University (3.39).
• St. Ambrose University has a higher acceptance rate (77.3%) than St. Mary's College (76%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 20.1% at St. Mary's College vs. 16.7% at St. Ambrose University .

St. Mary's College vs. St. Ambrose University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for St. Mary's 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).

• Saint Mary's College's six-year graduation rate (79%) is higher than Saint Ambrose University's (62%).
• Graduates from Saint Mary's College earn a median of about $2,800 more per year than St. Ambrose University graduates about ten years after starting college ($51,100 vs. $48,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Saint Ambrose University graduates have a $1,236 lower median loan debt than St. Mary's College graduates ($25,764 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, St. Ambrose University graduates have an estimated $13 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than St. Mary's College graduates ($266 vs. $279).
• More St. Mary's College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former St. Ambrose University students, three years after graduation. (85% 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.