EIU vs. St. Ambrose University

Deciding between Eastern Illinois University and Saint Ambrose University? The table below shows tuition, aid, admissions, and outcomes side by side. Data comes from public sources across more than 3,000 U.S. colleges and universities. No account is required.

Eastern Illinois University
Saint Ambrose University

Frequently compared to these colleges. Click a college to add to the comparison. 

  • Overview

  • Location
  • EIU Charleston, IL
  • St. Ambrose University Davenport, IA
  • Setting
  • EIU Remote Town
  • St. Ambrose University Small City
  • Total enrollment
  • EIU 8,505
  • St. Ambrose University 2,498
  • Type
  • EIU Public 4 Year
  • St. Ambrose University Private 4 Year
  • National Ranking
  • EIU #688
  • St. Ambrose University #441
  • Religious Affiliation
  • EIU -
  • St. Ambrose University Roman Catholic
  • Status
  • EIU Non-profit
  • St. Ambrose University Non-profit
  • Team Colors
  • EIU
  • St. Ambrose University
  • Cost

  • Tuition (In State)
  • EIU $13,679
  • St. Ambrose University $36,658
  • Tuition (Out of State)
  • EIU $16,217
  • St. Ambrose University $36,658
  • Room & Board
  • EIU $12,282
  • St. Ambrose University $13,378
  • Average Net Price
  • EIU $13,787
  • St. Ambrose University $25,345
  • Average Grant Aid
  • EIU $12,960
  • St. Ambrose University $25,877
  • % Receiving Grant Aid
  • EIU 95%
  • St. Ambrose University 100%
  • Admissions

  • Applied
  • EIU 12,539
  • St. Ambrose University 2,964
  • Admitted
  • EIU 8,194
  • St. Ambrose University 2,292
  • Acceptance Rate
  • EIU 65.3%
  • St. Ambrose University 77.3%
  • Enrolled
  • EIU 9.8%
  • St. Ambrose University 16.7%
  • Typical SAT score
  • EIU 990
  • St. Ambrose University 1050
  • Typical ACT score
  • EIU
  • St. Ambrose University 22
  • Average High School GPA
  • EIU 3.39
  • St. Ambrose University 3.39
  • Typical High School Grades
  • EIU B+
  • St. Ambrose University B+
  • Admissions Standards
  • EIU Extremely Easy
  • St. Ambrose University Easy
  • Applicant Competition
  • EIU Low
  • St. Ambrose University
  • ACT Range
  • EIU
  • St. Ambrose University 20/25
  • SAT Range
  • EIU 880/1090
  • St. Ambrose University 930/1170
  • Submit Test Scores
  • EIU Test optional
  • St. Ambrose University Test optional
  • Application Deadline
  • EIU
  • St. Ambrose University
  • Academics

  • Student to Faculty Ratio
  • EIU 14:1
  • St. Ambrose University 11:1
  • Popular Majors
  • EIU
    • Education (21%)
    • Business (14%)
    • Liberal Arts and Humanities (9%)
    • Communication (9%)
    • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (8%)
  • St. Ambrose University
    • Business (32%)
    • Psychology (12%)
    • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (11%)
    • Education (9%)
    • Health Professions (7%)
  • Outcomes

  • Graduation Rate
  • EIU 59%
  • St. Ambrose University 62%
  • Median Earnings (After 10 years)
  • EIU $43,500
  • St. Ambrose University $48,300
  • Making Student Loan Payments
  • EIU 59%
  • St. Ambrose University 71%
  • Median Student Loan Debt
  • EIU $23,650
  • St. Ambrose University $25,764
  • Median Loan Payment
  • EIU $244
  • St. Ambrose University $266
  • Diversity

  • % Men
  • EIU 43%
  • St. Ambrose University 43%
  • % Women
  • EIU 57%
  • St. Ambrose University 57%
  • Racial Diversity
  • EIU Medium
  • St. Ambrose University Very Low
  • HBCU
  • EIU No
  • St. Ambrose University No
  • % White
  • EIU 68%
  • St. Ambrose University 80%
  • % Asian
  • EIU 1%
  • St. Ambrose University 1%
  • % Black
  • EIU 19%
  • St. Ambrose University 3%
  • % Hispanic
  • EIU 6%
  • St. Ambrose University 6%
  • % Native American
  • EIU 0%
  • St. Ambrose University 0%
  • % Pacific Islander
  • EIU 0%
  • St. Ambrose University 0%
  • % Two or More Races
  • EIU 2%
  • St. Ambrose University 2%
  • % International
  • EIU 1%
  • St. Ambrose University 3%
  • % Unknown Race
  • EIU 2%
  • St. Ambrose University 4%
  • Students

  • % In-State
  • EIU 90%
  • St. Ambrose University 38%
  • % Out-of-State
  • EIU 7%
  • St. Ambrose University 60%
  • Campus

  • Campus Housing
  • EIU Yes
  • St. Ambrose University Yes
  • Freshman Dorm Required
  • EIU No
  • St. Ambrose University No
  • Meal Plan
  • EIU Yes
  • St. Ambrose University Yes
  • Weekend/Evening Classes
  • EIU Yes
  • St. Ambrose University Yes
  • Daycare Facility
  • EIU No
  • St. Ambrose University No

Comparable Facts

Compare Eastern Illinois University in Charleston, IL with Saint Ambrose University in Davenport, IA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Eastern Illinois University is larger than St. Ambrose University based on total student enrollment (8,505 students vs. 2,498 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Eastern Illinois University is located in Charleston, IL (Remote Town setting); Saint Ambrose University is in Davenport, IA (Small City setting).
  • Eastern Illinois University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Saint Ambrose University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Eastern Illinois University 14:1; Saint Ambrose University 11:1.

EIU vs. St. Ambrose University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, EIU or St. Ambrose University ? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Eastern Illinois University than St. Ambrose University ($13,787 vs. $25,345).
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Eastern Illinois University are 8.2% lower than at Saint Ambrose University ($12,282 vs. $13,378).
  • Saint Ambrose University is 168% more expensive for in-state tuition than EIU (about $22,979 more per year; $36,658.00 vs. $13,679.00).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 126% higher at St. Ambrose University than at Eastern Illinois University (about $20,441 more per year; $36,658.00 vs. $16,217.00).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Saint Ambrose University than at Eastern Illinois University (100% vs. 95%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Saint Ambrose University students is 99.7% larger than aid received by Eastern Illinois University students ($25,877 vs. $12,960).

EIU vs. St. Ambrose University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, EIU or St. Ambrose University ? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between St. Ambrose University and EIU.

  • The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Saint Ambrose University (1050) is 60 points higher than at EIU (990).
  • Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Eastern Illinois University 880/1090; Saint Ambrose University 930/1170.
  • Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsSaint Ambrose University 20/25.
  • Submitting SAT or ACT scores: EIU - Test optional; St. Ambrose University - Test optional.
  • Accepted freshman EIU students have the same average high school GPA (3.39) as students at St. Ambrose University (3.39).
  • St. Ambrose University has a higher acceptance rate (77.3%) than EIU (65.3%).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 9.8% at EIU vs. 16.7% at St. Ambrose University .

EIU vs. St. Ambrose University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for EIU and St. Ambrose University ? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

  • Saint Ambrose University's six-year graduation rate (62%) is higher than Eastern Illinois University's (59%).
  • Graduates from Saint Ambrose University earn a median of about $4,800 more per year than EIU graduates about ten years after starting college ($48,300 vs. $43,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Eastern Illinois University graduates have a $2,114 lower median loan debt than St. Ambrose University graduates ($23,650 vs. $25,764).
  • Among borrowers, EIU graduates have an estimated $22 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than St. Ambrose University graduates ($244 vs. $266).
  • More St. Ambrose University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former EIU students, three years after graduation. (71% vs. 59%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.