
518 W. Locust St., Davenport, IA 52803-2898, USA


Saint Ambrose University provides a diverse athletics program that supports both men's and women's sports across various competitive levels. The university is a member of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) and competes in the River States Conference, offering student-athletes opportunities to engage in collegiate sports within a well-organized framework.
The athletics department sponsors numerous varsity teams, including basketball, soccer, baseball, softball, and volleyball, among others. These programs are designed to foster teamwork, discipline, and leadership while enabling students to balance their academic and athletic commitments.
The university emphasizes a supportive environment where athletes receive guidance not only in their sports but also in their academic pursuits and personal development. Facilities are maintained to accommodate training and competition needs, contributing to comprehensive student-athlete experiences.
Prospective students interested in athletics will find Saint Ambrose offers a range of sports to participate in, as well as opportunities to compete at the NAIA level, allowing them to develop their athletic skills while pursuing higher education.
Saint Ambrose University offers a variety of student groups and associations that cater to diverse interests and promote community engagement. Among these are Dance Marathon, Bee Readers, Green Life, Black Student Union, and Bee Adaptive & Inclusive. These organizations provide opportunities for students to connect, lead initiatives, and participate in campus life.
Saint Ambrose University enrolls a diverse body of students, with a total enrollment of around 718 students combining freshmen and transfer students, both figures falling into average ranges compared to national percentiles. Freshman enrollment stands at 422, placing the university in the lower 40th percentile, while transfer students number 296, also reflecting an average level of transfer activity.
The age distribution among undergraduates predominantly clusters around traditional college age, with the largest groups being students aged 18 to 21, comprising 1,631 individuals. Graduate students tend to be older, with many between 22 and 34 years old, indicating a mix of early-career learners and those returning to education later. Overall, student ages cover a broad span, from under 18 to over 65, reflecting a commitment to serving learners at various stages of life.
In terms of residency status, the university has a relatively low percentage of in-state students at 37%, which ranks in the bottom 15% nationally, while out-of-state students comprise 60%, placing Saint Ambrose University in the top 10% for attracting students from beyond Iowa. Domestic students from the United States make up 97%, an average representation at about the 70th percentile. The presence of international students from foreign countries remains modest at 3%, consistent with national averages.
Ethnically, the student population is predominantly White (1,262), with Hispanic (209) and African American (160) groups also well represented, though all ethnic groups rank in the lower 40th percentiles relative to national distributions. Smaller populations include Asian (34), Pacific Islander (8), Native American (3), and students identifying with two or more races (96). Approximately 82 students' ethnicities are unreported, reflecting a typical margin of unknown demographic information.
Student life at Saint Ambrose University offers a variety of cultural and artistic opportunities. The campus supports activities including a student newspaper, drama productions, radio broadcasting, a band, chorus, and television, providing diverse avenues for student expression and involvement. With a campus sprawling over 113 acres, students have ample space for both academic and extracurricular engagement.
Health and well-being services are accessible to students, including a health clinic, psychological counseling, and a veterans affairs office, catering to different personal needs within the student body. While legal services and a women's center are not available on campus, the support options present reflect attention to student care and support.
Saint Ambrose University offers students access to two libraries, including the main SAU Library, positioning them within the top half of institutions for the number of library facilities available. The university's library resources are considered average overall, with each aspect falling around or below the midpoint compared to other institutions.
The collection comprises approximately 115,623 physical books, which places the university in the lower 40% percentile in terms of volume. Additionally, students can access 22 subscriptions and 112,001 digital subscriptions, both figures also ranking in the bottom 40 to 50 percentiles relative to peers.
For electronic resources, there are 345,101 eBooks and 76 databases, which similarly fall below the median range in comparison with other universities' digital offerings. However, Saint Ambrose University provides supportive facilities such as study rooms and trained staff to assist students in navigating these resources.
The library maintains established service hours with a total of 94 weekly service hours, although all-day access is not available. Both physical and digital access options are provided, and students benefit from access to shared collections beyond the campus holdings.
Total enrollment
2498Full Time Degree Seeking Freshmen
382Member of Athletic Associations
Data not availableTotal staff
175 full time, 129 part timeVeterans affair office
YesMain library name
SAU LibraryNumber of libraries on campus
2Reservable study rooms in library
Yes24h access
NoPhysical facilities
YesAccess to digital/electronic resources
YesStaff trained to provide and interpret library materials
YesEstablished library hours
YesAccess to library collections that are shared with other institutions
Yes