SCI-Arc vs. St. Ambrose University

Should I go to Southern California Institute of Architecture or Saint Ambrose University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if SCI-Arc 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.

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Southern California Institute of Architecture vs. Saint Ambrose University comparison
Southern California Institute of Architecture Saint Ambrose University College 3 College 4
Southern California Institute of Architecture Saint Ambrose University
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Overview

SCI-Arc St. Ambrose University
Location Los Angeles, CA Davenport, IA
Setting Large City Small City
Enrollment 457 2,703
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #437
Religious Affiliation - Roman Catholic - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website sciarc.edu sau.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

SCI-Arc St. Ambrose University
Tuition (In State) $51,964 $35,318
Tuition (Out of State) $51,964 $35,318
Room & Board $13,555 $12,348
Avg Net Price $21,514 $23,578
Avg Grant Aid $45,500 $26,559
% Receiving Grant Aid 25% 100%

Admission

SCI-Arc St. Ambrose University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 606 3,456
Admitted 501 2,534
Acceptance Rate 82.7% 73.3%
Enrolled % 7% 16.7%
Avg High School GPA 3.5 3.39
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Moderate Average
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 20/27
SAT Range 1020/1230 1020/1240
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind)
Application Deadline Jan 15, 2026

Academics

SCI-Arc St. Ambrose University
Student to Faculty Ratio 9:1 11:1
Popular Majors
  • Architecture (100%)
  • Business (32%)
  • Psychology (12%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (11%)
  • Education (9%)
  • Health Professions (7%)

Outcomes

SCI-Arc St. Ambrose University
Graduation Rate 58% 62%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $46,400 $48,300
Making Student Loan Payments 62% 71%
Median Student Loan Debt $42,750 $25,764
Median Loan Payment $442 $266

Diversity

SCI-Arc St. Ambrose University
% Men 28% 7%
% Women 19% 15%
Racial Diversity Very High Low
HBCU No No
% White 13% 80%
% Black 1% 3%
% Hispanic 14% 6%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 2% 2%
% International 51% 3%
% Unknown Race 0% 4%

Students

SCI-Arc St. Ambrose University
% In-State 29% 37%
% Out-of-State 14% 60%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Saint Ambrose University is larger than than SCI-Arc based on total student enrollment (2,703 students vs. 457 students)

SCI-Arc vs. St. Ambrose University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, SCI-Arc or St. Ambrose University ?

  • Southern California Institute of Architecture is 47.1% more expensive to attend than St. Ambrose University for in-state tuition ($51,964.00 vs. $35,318.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 47.1% higher at SCI-Arc than Saint Ambrose University ($51,964.00 vs. $35,318.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Southern California Institute of Architecture than St. Ambrose University ($21,514 vs. $23,578)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Saint Ambrose University are 9.8% lower than costs at Southern California Institute of Architecture ($12,348 vs. $13,555)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Saint Ambrose University than Southern California Institute of Architecture (100% vs. 25%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Southern California Institute of Architecture students is 71.3% larger than aid received Saint Ambrose University ($45,500 vs. $26,559)

SCI-Arc vs. St. Ambrose University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, SCI-Arc 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 SCI-Arc .

  • The average SAT score at Southern California Institute of Architecture (1116) is 66 points higher than at St. Ambrose University (1050)
  • Incoming SCI-Arc students have a 4 point higher average ACT score (27) than students at St. Ambrose University (23)
  • Accepted freshman SCI-Arc students have a 0.11 point higher average high school GPA (3.5) than students at St. Ambrose University (3.39)
  • SCI-Arc has a higher acceptance rate (82.7%) than St. Ambrose University (73.3%)

SCI-Arc vs. St. Ambrose University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, SCI-Arc 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 SCI-Arc.

  • The graduation rate at St. Ambrose University is higher than Southern California Institute of Architecture (62% vs. 58%)
  • Graduates from Saint Ambrose University earn on average $1,900 more per year than SCI-Arc graduates after ten years. ($48,300 vs. $46,400)
  • Saint Ambrose University students graduate with a $16,986 lower median federal student loan debt than SCI-Arc graduates. ($25,764 vs. $42,750)
  • St. Ambrose University graduates are paying $176 less per month on federal student loans than SCI-Arc graduates. ($266 vs. $442)
  • More St. Ambrose University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former SCI-Arc students, three years after graduation. (71% vs. 62%)

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