Non-Profit Private
Accredited · Higher Learning Commission
Davenport, Iowa
73.3% Acceptance Rate
Saint Ambrose University — Admission Snapshot 2026
A complete at-a-glance picture of every metric that matters for your 2026 application
73.3%Acceptance Rate
3.39Avg GPA
1130Avg SAT
$50,018Annual Cost
$59,531Grad Salary
27.9%Pell Grant
Acceptance Rate
73.3%
Avg GPA
3.39
Avg SAT
1130
Selectivity
Somewhat Selective
Institution Type
Non-Profit Private
Campus
Main Campus
Accredited By
Higher Learning Commission
SAT Middle 50%
1090–1160
Need-Based Aid
27.9% receive Pell
Saint Ambrose University, founded in 1882, is Iowa's Catholic university with renowned physical therapy and business programs. The Davenport campus features the new Wellness and Recreation Center. SAU's 'Core Curriculum' develops ethical leaders.
Saint Ambrose University Acceptance Rate
Saint Ambrose University is moderately selective. 73.3% of applicants are admitted, with room for a well-rounded, if imperfect, transcript.
What St Ambrose University Admissions Looks For
- Whole-Person Review: Personal circumstances and career goals are weighed alongside grades.
- Flexible on GPA: Strong extracurriculars or work experience can offset an average transcript.
Selectivity at a Glance
Somewhat Selective
Selectivity scale: Somewhat Selective — 73.3% acceptance rate
Most Selective (0%)Open Enrollment (100%)
Recommended Academic Profile
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.39 – 4.00
Target Match
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.19 – 3.38
Competitive Reach
Focus on Score Compensation
Below 2.94
Secondary Reach
Requires Contextual Support
Source: IPEDS & College Scorecard (Nov 2025).
Saint Ambrose University Application Deadlines & Admission Dates 2026
Saint Ambrose University follows a Rolling Admissions policy, meaning applications are reviewed as they arrive and there is no single fixed deadline.
Key Admission Dates
Rolling Admissions — Apply Anytime
St Ambrose University reviews applications continuously throughout the year. Seats and scholarships are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis, so applying early gives you a significant advantage for both admission and financial aid.
💡 The scholarship deadline (Merit scholarship priority: 2027/02/01) often falls before the regular admission deadline. Submit your application and FAFSA early to be considered for maximum aid.
Deadlines are verified from official institutional sources but may change each cycle. Always confirm final dates on the official website.
St Ambrose University GPA Requirement
The average GPA of admitted students at St Ambrose University is 3.39. That makes admissions here competitive, but not extremely selective. Most admitted students carry a mix of A's and B's.
In the 3.09–3.39 range, a high SAT or ACT score still carries real weight.
Most schools report GPA on a weighted or unweighted 4.0 scale differently. For an unweighted profile like this, students with AP/IB coursework typically carry a weighted GPA of 3.59–3.79.St Ambrose University GPA & Admission Outlook
Assessment: Holistic review is critical for admission.
Recommended Strategy: Requires Contextual Factors (Leadership, hardship, or talent).
Where your GPA falls in this range shapes what the rest of your application needs to do:
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.39 – 4.00
Strategic Reach
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.19 – 3.38
Competitive Match
Focus on SAT/ACT Compensation
2.99 – 3.18
Secondary Reach
Personal Statement & Impact
Below 2.98
Institutional Reach
Requires Significant Contextual Factors
Evaluation Metrics That Matter Here
- Ambrose Advantage: tuition-free attendance for Pell-eligible Iowa residents with a 2.5+ GPA (FAFSA due March 15 for first-years, July 1 for transfers).
- No application fee; test-optional for general admission, but scores required for specific programs and top academic scholarship eligibility.
- Catholic university in Davenport, IA, accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).
- Numerous department-specific scholarships (e.g., accounting) exist with narrower GPA gates than university-wide merit aid - worth researching by intended major.
- Rigor Over Raw Number: A slightly lower GPA (say 3.8) paired with multiple AP or IB courses often outweighs a flat 4.0 from a standard curriculum.
- Trajectory Matters: A lower start in 9th or 10th grade, followed by a clear upward trend senior year, reads as academic resilience rather than a weakness.
Data verified via IPEDS, College Scorecard (Nov 2025) and the Common Data Set (CDS). Expert Review led by Sohaib Khan and Dr. Waseem.
Check Your Admission Chances at St Ambrose University
Admission Chance Predictor
Real-Time Sensitive Analysis — based on Saint Ambrose University's verified institutional data
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Calculating Profile...
Adjust the sliders to see how every decimal point affects your outcome.
Your SAT Score 1200
Your Unweighted GPA 3.00
✅ Verified Data: Institutional records for 2026.
Calculated via College Portal's Human-Intelligence (HI) Methodology & Editorial Standards. Verified by Sohaib Ahmad Khan.
Saint Ambrose University (St Ambrose University) Test Requirements
Standardized scores still matter here: aim for the middle 50% range of the 2026 admitted class below, and if St Ambrose University is test-optional, a high score submitted voluntarily still helps with merit scholarships.
Can I Get Into St Ambrose University Without SAT or ACT?
St Ambrose University neither requires nor recommends test scores. Submit yours only if it's above the state or national average. Otherwise, leaving it off works in your favor.
Saint Ambrose University Average SAT Score: 1130
The average SAT score of admitted students at Saint Ambrose University is 1130 on the 1600-point scale.
SAT Competitiveness
SAT 1130 — Less Competitive
This average is slightly below the national mean SAT score.
Key Insight: Aim for the 75th percentile (1160 SAT) to stand out. Below average? Saint Ambrose University allows Score Choice for the SAT, so a retake only helps — a low sitting never has to be sent.
If your score is below 1090, retaking the SAT is strongly recommended to improve your chances at St Ambrose University. Retaking multiple times is completely normal. Most competitive applicants sit for it two or three times. There's no official limit on attempts.
SAT Scores Breakdown by Sections
| Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| SAT Math | - | - | - |
| SAT Reading | - | - | - |
| SAT Composite | 1130 | 1090 | 1160 |
Below 1090, you're behind most admitted students; at 1160 or above, you're ahead of 75% of them. (25th/75th percentile = the score below which that share of admitted students fall.)
View list of all colleges with average SAT score of 1150
Can I get into Saint Ambrose University (St Ambrose University) with a 1150 SAT?
A 1150 SAT puts you ahead of most of St Ambrose University's admitted class, but admissions still weighs GPA, course rigor, and essays alongside it. A strong score opens the door; the rest of your profile decides what happens next.
Your 2026 Admissions Roadmap for St Ambrose University
Accessible Strategy: Academic Foundation
St Ambrose University takes a broad view of applicants. Your energy is best spent proving readiness for coursework and maximizing your financial aid package.
Check Ambrose Advantage before assuming this is unaffordable
Pell-eligible Iowa residents with a 2.5+ unweighted GPA can attend tuition-free through the Ambrose Advantage program, covering everything except books, fees, room, and board. If your student is an Iowa resident who might qualify for Pell, flag this immediately - it changes the entire cost conversation, and it requires filing FAFSA by March 15 for first-year applicants.
Send test scores only if chasing top academic scholarships
Saint Ambrose is test-optional for admission, but scores are explicitly required for eligibility for the university's top academic scholarship tiers. A strong-testing student should submit scores specifically for scholarship consideration even if they wouldn't otherwise bother for admission purposes.
Target department-specific scholarships directly, not just general aid
Saint Ambrose stacks numerous narrow, GPA-gated departmental scholarships (e.g., accounting-specific awards at 2.5, 3.0, and 3.25 GPA tiers). A student with a declared major should search the department's specific scholarship list rather than relying only on the general aid office - many of these have lower competition than university-wide awards.
Confirm current GPA floor before applying - it varies by source
Published minimum GPA requirements range from 2.5 to 3.0 depending on the source; confirm the current cycle's actual floor directly with the admissions office rather than relying on aggregator sites, since this is a Catholic university (Davenport, IA) with holistic review that can flex around a borderline GPA with a strong application narrative.
Expert Insight:
Families sometimes assume "no application fee, test-optional" means low selectivity and skip building any narrative into the application - missing out on merit scholarships that are explicitly awarded based on demonstrated strengths beyond GPA alone. Encourage students to submit optional materials (resume, activity list) even when not required.
St Ambrose University Profile
Full Name
Saint Ambrose University (St Ambrose University)
City
Davenport
State
Iowa
ZIP Code
52803-2898
Type
Non-Profit Private
Campus
Main Campus
Official Website
Accredited By
Higher Learning Commission (NCACHE)
Is a St Ambrose University Degree Worth It?
At $50,018/year against a $59,531 median graduate salary, St Ambrose University is worth weighing against your specific program and financial situation. The numbers below give you a real basis for that decision.
The average household income among admitted students is $63,300, with a graduate unemployment rate of 3.1%.
How much does a degree from St Ambrose University Cost?
The sticker price is $50,018/year, but the average net price students actually pay, after Pell and federal grants, is typically much lower.
27.9% of students receive a Pell Grant and 66.7% take federal loans at St Ambrose University. File your FAFSA early and list St Ambrose University as a choice to be considered for both.
How much does a St Ambrose University Graduate earn?
Median earnings 10 years after enrollment (roughly 4–6 years post-graduation) are $59,531. That's about 47% above the U.S. median graduate income.
Compare Similar Colleges
Less Competitive Schools
These schools have lower average SAT or ACT scores than Saint Ambrose University. If your SAT or ACT score is slightly lower, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Auburn University at Montgomery | Montgomery, AL | 1090 | 21 |
| University of South Alabama | Mobile, AL | 1119 | 23 |
| Spring Hill College | Mobile, AL | 1090 | 22 |
| Troy University | Troy, AL | 1086 | 22 |
| Grand Canyon University | Phoenix, AZ | 1095 | 22 |
| Arkansas State University | Jonesboro, AR | 1119 | 22 |
| University of Central Arkansas | Conway, AR | 1117 | 22 |
| University of the Ozarks | Clarksville, AR | 1088 | 21 |
| University of La Verne | La Verne, CA | 1116 | 22 |
| Pacific Union College | Angwin, CA | 1093 | 22 |
Equally Competitive Schools
These schools have the same range of average SAT or ACT scores as Saint Ambrose University. If your SAT or ACT score is competitive, you'll be competitive for these schools also.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tuskegee University | Tuskegee, AL | 1121 | 22 |
| University of Colorado Colorado Springs | Colorado Springs, CO | 1140 | 25 |
| Western Colorado University | Gunnison, CO | 1130 | 25 |
| Lynn University | Boca Raton, FL | 1136 | 25 |
| University of West Florida | Pensacola, FL | 1137 | 24 |
More Competitive Schools
These schools have higher average SAT or ACT scores than Saint Ambrose University. If you improve your SAT or ACT score, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Birmingham-Southern College | Birmingham, AL | 1197 | 24 |
| Samford University | Birmingham, AL | 1203 | 26 |
| University of Arkansas | Fayetteville, AR | 1174 | 25 |
| Harding University | Searcy, AR | 1187 | 25 |
| Dominican University of California | San Rafael, CA | 1194 | 26 |
Degree Programs at St Ambrose University
Bachelor Degree Programs
Frequently Asked Questions About St Ambrose University Admissions
Median graduate earnings at Saint Ambrose University run about $59,531 a year.
At about $50,018 a year, Saint Ambrose University's cost is on the higher end; look closely at aid options.
About 27.9% receive a Pell Grant at Saint Ambrose University. The odds are moderate and largely income-dependent, but an early FAFSA filing still helps.
At 73.3%, Saint Ambrose University's acceptance rate is on the more attainable end compared to top-tier selective schools.
Admitted students at Saint Ambrose University average a 3.39 GPA.
Saint Ambrose University doesn't publish a hard GPA floor, but landing at or above 3.09 keeps you in the typical applicant range; below it, lean on essays and recommendations.
Below 2.99, Saint Ambrose University becomes a harder reach, though a strong test score, meaningful activities, and AP/IB coursework can still make a real case.
A strong SAT score matters at Saint Ambrose University — aim above 1130, ideally within the 1090–1160 range admitted students typically fall in.
Saint Ambrose University follows Rolling Admissions. Applications are reviewed year-round, so applying early is your best strategy.
The scholarship/financial aid priority deadline is Merit scholarship priority: 2027/02/01. Submit FAFSA before then for maximum consideration.
Yes, transfers are common. Have transcripts, recommendation letters, and a solid personal statement ready to make your case.
Strong academics, a focused extracurricular profile, and standout essays move the needle most, along with a competitive SAT/ACT score where relevant.