“A Catholic university on the Mississippi rooted in community, professional excellence, and ethical formation.”
Saint Ambrose University is a Catholic institution founded in 1882 by the Diocese of Davenport, situated on a 113-acre campus in Davenport, Iowa, along the banks of the Mississippi River. Part of the vibrant Quad Cities metropolitan area — which straddles Iowa and Illinois — SAU offers a close-knit academic community where small class sizes and direct faculty mentorship define the educational experience. The university's Catholic identity informs a commitment to ethical formation and community service, while its strong professional programs in health sciences, business, and education provide graduates with career-ready credentials in high-demand fields. Academically, Saint Ambrose is organized into three colleges: Arts and Sciences, the Patricia VanBruwaene College of Business, and Health and Human Services. The university is particularly well regarded in the Midwest for its health sciences programs — including one of only a few Master of Occupational Therapy programs in Iowa, a Physical Therapy program with a two-year NPTE board exam pass rate averaging 97%, and a nursing program with strong clinical placements across the Quad Cities hospital network. The AACSB-accredited College of Business is a popular destination for students seeking careers in accounting, marketing, and business analytics, with strong employer relationships in the manufacturing and agribusiness sectors of the region. Campus life at Saint Ambrose reflects its community-centered mission. The Fighting Bees compete in 28 intercollegiate varsity sports as NAIA members, and the campus offers residence halls, townhouses, and apartment-style housing for all class years. The Quad Cities location provides internship opportunities at major regional employers including John Deere, Tyson Foods, and extensive healthcare systems along the Mississippi River corridor. With a no-application-fee policy and automatic merit scholarships of $18,000–$24,000 based on GPA, Saint Ambrose makes a high-quality Catholic education accessible to a wide range of students — including international students who receive automatic consideration for merit awards up to $28,000.
Visa, OPT, H-1B alumni outcomes, and acceptance rates by country — sourced from FOIA, USCIS H-1B Hub, and DHS SEVIS.
National Universities
US News 2026
Test Optional — You can submit scores if they help your case, but they're not required.
Official SourceRolling Admission
Applications reviewed on a rolling basis; recommended by March 1 for full scholarship and housing consideration
The deep admissions playbook beyond the headline acceptance rate — round-by-round breakdowns, nationality data, requirements, and contact paths.
Tuition & Fees (All Students)
$36,658
/yr
Beyond the sticker price — every named scholarship, the financial aid policy, need-aware notes, and a personalized net-cost estimate.
How life on campus actually feels — clubs, sports, traditions, housing realities, and how the school integrates with its city.
The liberal arts core of Saint Ambrose, offering programs in the humanities, social sciences, natural sciences, and pre-professional tracks. Home to psychology, criminal justice, biology, communication, and pre-law and pre-health pathways.
AACSB-accredited business school offering undergraduate and graduate programs with strong ties to Quad Cities regional employers. Known for accounting, finance, marketing, and management programs emphasizing ethical leadership.
SAU's signature college and a regional leader in health professions education. Houses one of Iowa's few MOT programs (Occupational Therapy), a Physical Therapy program with a 97% two-year NPTE pass rate, Nursing, and Social Work.
2 years
One of only a few occupational therapy programs in Iowa, with consistent national board exam pass rates and strong clinical placement throughout the Midwest. Graduates are highly sought by hospitals, schools, and rehabilitation centers.
3 years
Acclaimed program with a two-year National Physical Therapy Examination pass rate averaging 97%. Strong clinical network across the Quad Cities and Midwest healthcare systems. Competitive admission with a limited cohort.
4 years
AACSB-accredited program with specializations in accounting, finance, marketing, and management. Strong employer relationships with regional Fortune 500 companies including John Deere and local financial institutions.
Where alumni go after graduation — top industries, grad-school continuation, and the qualitative outcomes story.
Sticker price (annual, out-of-state): $36,658
Net-cost estimate is US-resident-only — international applicants are typically excluded from need-based aid at most schools and should treat the sticker price as the planning baseline.
