Iowa vs. St. Ambrose University

Comparable Facts

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

University of Iowa is larger than St. Ambrose University based on total student enrollment (30,779 students vs. 2,498 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Iowa is located in Iowa City, IA (Small City setting); Saint Ambrose University is in Davenport, IA (Small City setting).
• University of Iowa is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Saint Ambrose University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Iowa 16:1; Saint Ambrose University 11:1.

Iowa vs. St. Ambrose University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Iowa 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 University of Iowa than St. Ambrose University ($21,765 vs. $25,345).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Iowa are 3.4% lower than at Saint Ambrose University ($12,920 vs. $13,378).
• Saint Ambrose University is 224.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Iowa (about $25,375 more per year; $36,658.00 vs. $11,283.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 9.8% higher at St. Ambrose University than at University of Iowa (about $3,287 more per year; $36,658.00 vs. $33,371.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Saint Ambrose University than at University of Iowa (100% vs. 76%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Saint Ambrose University students is 162.3% larger than aid received by University of Iowa students ($25,877 vs. $9,865).

Iowa vs. St. Ambrose University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Iowa 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 Iowa.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Iowa (1230) is 180 points higher than at St. Ambrose University (1050).
• Incoming Iowa 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: University of Iowa 1130/1330; Saint Ambrose University 930/1170.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Iowa 21/28; Saint Ambrose University 20/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Iowa - Test optional; St. Ambrose University - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Iowa May 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Iowa students have a 0.42 point higher average high school GPA (3.81) than students at St. Ambrose University (3.39).
• Iowa has a higher acceptance rate (83.6%) than St. Ambrose University (77.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 22.4% at Iowa vs. 16.7% at St. Ambrose University .

Iowa vs. St. Ambrose University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Iowa 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).

• University of Iowa's six-year graduation rate (71%) is higher than Saint Ambrose University's (62%).
• Graduates from University of Iowa earn a median of about $11,500 more per year than St. Ambrose University graduates about ten years after starting college ($59,800 vs. $48,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Iowa graduates have a $4,148 lower median loan debt than St. Ambrose University graduates ($21,616 vs. $25,764).
• Among borrowers, Iowa graduates have an estimated $43 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than St. Ambrose University graduates ($223 vs. $266).
• More St. Ambrose University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Iowa students, three years after graduation. (71% vs. 70%)

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.