University of St Francis vs. St. Ambrose University

Should I go to University of St Francis or Saint Ambrose University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if University of St Francis 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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University of St Francis vs. Saint Ambrose University comparison
University of St Francis Saint Ambrose University College 3 College 4
University of St Francis Saint Ambrose University
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Overview

University of St Francis St. Ambrose University
Location Joliet, IL Davenport, IA
Setting Midsize City Small City
Enrollment 3,297 2,747
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #339 #402
Religious Affiliation Roman Catholic Roman Catholic - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website stfrancis.edu sau.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

University of St Francis St. Ambrose University
Tuition (In State) $36,000 $34,290
Tuition (Out of State) $36,000 $34,290
Room & Board $11,430 $11,988
Avg Net Price $18,560 $23,359
Avg Grant Aid $25,392 $25,476
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 100%

Admission

University of St Francis St. Ambrose University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 2,198 3,589
Admitted 1,284 2,653
Acceptance Rate 58.4% 73.9%
Enrolled % 16.8% 17.3%
Avg High School GPA 3.47 3.39
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Challenging Average
Applicant Competition Low Low
ACT Range 21/30 20/27
SAT Range 1030/1240 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 1, 2025

Academics

University of St Francis St. Ambrose University
Student to Faculty Ratio 13:1 12:1
Popular Majors
  • Health Professions (41%)
  • Education (16%)
  • Business (14%)
  • Biology (4%)
  • Psychology (3%)
  • Business (32%)
  • Psychology (12%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (11%)
  • Education (9%)
  • Health Professions (7%)

Outcomes

University of St Francis St. Ambrose University
Graduation Rate 63% 62%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $50,600 $48,300
Making Student Loan Payments 62% 71%
Median Student Loan Debt $25,000 $25,764
Median Loan Payment $258 $266

Diversity

University of St Francis St. Ambrose University
% Men 26% 42%
% Women 74% 58%
Racial Diversity Medium Low
HBCU No No
% White 67% 80%
% Black 8% 3%
% Hispanic 16% 6%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 3% 2%
% International 2% 3%
% Unknown Race 1% 4%

Students

University of St Francis St. Ambrose University
% In-State 93% 33%
% Out-of-State 4% 64%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • University of St Francis is larger than than St. Ambrose University based on total student enrollment (3,297 students vs. 2,747 students)

University of St Francis vs. St. Ambrose University Cost Comparison

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

  • University of St Francis is 5% more expensive to attend than St. Ambrose University for in-state tuition ($36,000.00 vs. $34,290.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 5% higher at University of St Francis than Saint Ambrose University ($36,000.00 vs. $34,290.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at University of St Francis than St. Ambrose University ($18,560 vs. $23,359)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of St Francis are 4.9% lower than costs at Saint Ambrose University ($11,430 vs. $11,988)
  • The same percent of students receive financial grant aid at University of St Francis as Saint Ambrose University (100% vs. 100%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Saint Ambrose University students is 0.3% larger than aid received University of St Francis ($25,476 vs. $25,392)

University of St Francis vs. St. Ambrose University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, University of St Francis 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 University of St Francis .

  • The average SAT score at University of St Francis (1069) is 19 points higher than at St. Ambrose University (1050)
  • Incoming University of St Francis students have at the same average ACT score (23) as students at St. Ambrose University (23)
  • Accepted freshman University of St Francis students have a 0.08 point higher average high school GPA (3.47) than students at St. Ambrose University (3.39)
  • St. Ambrose University has a higher acceptance rate (73.9%) than University of St Francis (58.4%)

University of St Francis vs. St. Ambrose University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, University of St Francis 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 University of St Francis.

  • The graduation rate at University of St Francis is higher than Saint Ambrose University (63% vs. 62%)
  • Graduates from University of St Francis earn on average $2,300 more per year than St. Ambrose University graduates after ten years. ($50,600 vs. $48,300)
  • University of St Francis students graduate with a $764 lower median federal student loan debt than St. Ambrose University graduates. ($25,000 vs. $25,764)
  • University of St Francis graduates are paying $8 less per month on federal student loans than St. Ambrose University graduates. ($258 vs. $266)
  • More St. Ambrose University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former University of St Francis 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/