At $22,750/yr net price, Saint Ambrose University graduates earn $59,531/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $25,531/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $22,750 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $91,000 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $59,531/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$25,531/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 3.6 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 62.8% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $25,000 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $20,300/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $17,945/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $20,111/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $24,236/yr |
| $110,001+ | $25,806/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Master | $78,657 | $29,574 |
| Educational Administration and Supervision. | Master | $69,338 | |
| Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions. | Master | $66,287 | $41,000 |
| Industrial Engineering. | Bachelor | $63,005 | |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Bachelor | $59,377 | $27,000 |
| Communication Disorders Sciences and Services. | Master | $53,358 | $62,250 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Bachelor | $50,856 | $27,648 |
| Accounting and Related Services. | Master | $49,019 | |
| Accounting and Related Services. | Bachelor | $48,432 | $23,152 |
| Finance and Financial Management Services. | Bachelor | $47,260 |
The Risk Factor
62.8% of students at Saint Ambrose University graduate within 6 years. A significant share of students finish, but roughly 37% do not complete their degree.
Analysis
Saint Ambrose University gives you a solid but not spectacular financial return. You pay $22,750 a year and land at median earnings just under $60k a decade out, carrying $25,000 in debt. That debt load stays close to one year of median pay, which keeps repayment manageable for most graduates. The 83.62% retention rate and 62.80% graduation rate mean you have a reasonable shot at finishing and getting the degree you paid for.
The payoff depends heavily on your major. Industrial engineering leads at $63,005, and nursing follows at $59,377, both tied to steady demand in the Quad Cities and eastern Iowa region. Business, accounting, and finance sit lower, in the high $40k to low $50k range. Accounting is the standout value here: at $48,432 in earnings against $23,152 in debt, you carry the lightest debt of the top programs. Nursing and business graduates borrow more, around $27,000, for similar or modestly higher pay, so the margin is thinner.
The main risk is picking a lower-earning major and still paying private-school prices. If you graduate in business or finance and borrow the full median, your return is mediocre. Engineering and nursing are where the numbers work.
The net price tiers reveal something unusual. If your family earns under $30k, you pay $20,300, but the $30-48k bracket pays less at $17,945. Above that, price climbs steadily to $25,806 for families over $110k. Lower-middle-income families get the best deal here. the lowest-income tier does not.
Saint Ambrose fits you if you plan on nursing, engineering, or accounting and value in-region job prospects. If you want a low-cost path to a business degree, shop your state options first.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Saint Ambrose University worth the tuition cost?
Saint Ambrose's $22,750 annual net price leads to median earnings of $59,531 after 10 years, which is below average for private colleges. The business and education programs show stronger returns, but the overall ROI is modest compared to similar schools.
What are the best paying majors at Saint Ambrose University?
Business Administration graduates earn the highest at $78,657 annually, followed by Educational Administration at $69,338. Industrial Engineering and Rehabilitation programs also exceed the school average, while nursing graduates earn closer to $59,377.
How much student debt do Saint Ambrose University graduates have?
Saint Ambrose graduates leave with a median debt of $25,000, which is manageable compared to many private colleges. With starting salaries around $59,531, most graduates can handle this debt load if they complete their degree.
Does Saint Ambrose University have good graduation rates?
Saint Ambrose's 62.8% graduation rate is concerning and below the national average for four-year colleges. This means over one-third of students don't finish, which significantly impacts the return on investment for those who don't graduate.