St. Ambrose University vs. HSU

Deciding between Saint Ambrose University and Hardin Simmons 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.

Saint Ambrose University
Hardin Simmons University

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

  • Overview

  • Location
  • St. Ambrose University Davenport, IA
  • HSU Abilene, TX
  • Setting
  • St. Ambrose University Small City
  • HSU Midsize City
  • Total enrollment
  • St. Ambrose University 2,498
  • HSU 1,665
  • Type
  • St. Ambrose University Private 4 Year
  • HSU Private 4 Year
  • National Ranking
  • St. Ambrose University #441
  • HSU #648
  • Religious Affiliation
  • St. Ambrose University Roman Catholic
  • HSU Baptist
  • Status
  • St. Ambrose University Non-profit
  • HSU Non-profit
  • Team Colors
  • St. Ambrose University
  • HSU
  • Cost

  • Tuition (In State)
  • St. Ambrose University $36,658
  • HSU $32,960
  • Tuition (Out of State)
  • St. Ambrose University $36,658
  • HSU $32,960
  • Room & Board
  • St. Ambrose University $13,378
  • HSU $11,500
  • Average Net Price
  • St. Ambrose University $25,345
  • HSU $19,811
  • Average Grant Aid
  • St. Ambrose University $25,877
  • HSU $26,095
  • % Receiving Grant Aid
  • St. Ambrose University 100%
  • HSU 100%
  • Admissions

  • Applied
  • St. Ambrose University 2,964
  • HSU 3,479
  • Admitted
  • St. Ambrose University 2,292
  • HSU 3,131
  • Acceptance Rate
  • St. Ambrose University 77.3%
  • HSU 90%
  • Enrolled
  • St. Ambrose University 16.7%
  • HSU 12.2%
  • Typical SAT score
  • St. Ambrose University 1050
  • HSU 1100
  • Typical ACT score
  • St. Ambrose University 22
  • HSU 22
  • Average High School GPA
  • St. Ambrose University 3.39
  • HSU 3.43
  • Typical High School Grades
  • St. Ambrose University B+
  • HSU B+
  • Admissions Standards
  • St. Ambrose University Easy
  • HSU Easy
  • Applicant Competition
  • St. Ambrose University
  • HSU
  • ACT Range
  • St. Ambrose University 20/25
  • HSU 19/26
  • SAT Range
  • St. Ambrose University 930/1170
  • HSU 1010/1190
  • Submit Test Scores
  • St. Ambrose University Test optional
  • HSU Test optional
  • Application Deadline
  • St. Ambrose University
  • HSU
  • Academics

  • Student to Faculty Ratio
  • St. Ambrose University 11:1
  • HSU 15:1
  • Popular Majors
  • St. Ambrose University
    • Business (32%)
    • Psychology (12%)
    • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (11%)
    • Education (9%)
    • Health Professions (7%)
  • HSU
    • Business (17%)
    • Education (13%)
    • Biology (9%)
    • Health Professions (9%)
    • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (8%)
  • Outcomes

  • Graduation Rate
  • St. Ambrose University 62%
  • HSU 47%
  • Median Earnings (After 10 years)
  • St. Ambrose University $48,300
  • HSU $46,600
  • Making Student Loan Payments
  • St. Ambrose University 71%
  • HSU 67%
  • Median Student Loan Debt
  • St. Ambrose University $25,764
  • HSU $25,989
  • Median Loan Payment
  • St. Ambrose University $266
  • HSU $268
  • Diversity

  • % Men
  • St. Ambrose University 43%
  • HSU 46%
  • % Women
  • St. Ambrose University 57%
  • HSU 54%
  • Racial Diversity
  • St. Ambrose University Very Low
  • HSU Medium
  • HBCU
  • St. Ambrose University No
  • HSU No
  • % White
  • St. Ambrose University 80%
  • HSU 71%
  • % Asian
  • St. Ambrose University 1%
  • HSU 1%
  • % Black
  • St. Ambrose University 3%
  • HSU 6%
  • % Hispanic
  • St. Ambrose University 6%
  • HSU 15%
  • % Native American
  • St. Ambrose University 0%
  • HSU 0%
  • % Pacific Islander
  • St. Ambrose University 0%
  • HSU 0%
  • % Two or More Races
  • St. Ambrose University 2%
  • HSU 4%
  • % International
  • St. Ambrose University 3%
  • HSU 1%
  • % Unknown Race
  • St. Ambrose University 4%
  • HSU 1%
  • Students

  • % In-State
  • St. Ambrose University 38%
  • HSU 92%
  • % Out-of-State
  • St. Ambrose University 60%
  • HSU 5%
  • Campus

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

Comparable Facts

Compare Saint Ambrose University in Davenport, IA with Hardin Simmons University in Abilene, TX on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Saint Ambrose University is larger than HSU based on total student enrollment (2,498 students vs. 1,665 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Saint Ambrose University is located in Davenport, IA (Small City setting); Hardin Simmons University is in Abilene, TX (Midsize City setting).
  • Saint Ambrose University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Hardin Simmons University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Saint Ambrose University 11:1; Hardin Simmons University 15:1.

St. Ambrose University vs. HSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, St. Ambrose University or HSU? 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 Hardin Simmons University than St. Ambrose University ($19,811 vs. $25,345).
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Hardin Simmons University are 14% lower than at Saint Ambrose University ($11,500 vs. $13,378).
  • Saint Ambrose University is 11.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than HSU (about $3,698 more per year; $36,658.00 vs. $32,960.00).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 11.2% higher at St. Ambrose University than at Hardin Simmons University (about $3,698 more per year; $36,658.00 vs. $32,960.00).
  • The same share of students receive grant aid at Saint Ambrose University as at Hardin Simmons University (100% vs. 100%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Hardin Simmons University students is 0.8% larger than aid received by Saint Ambrose University students ($26,095 vs. $25,877).

St. Ambrose University vs. HSU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, St. Ambrose University or HSU? 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 HSU and St. Ambrose University .

  • The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Hardin Simmons University (1100) is 50 points higher than at St. Ambrose University (1050).
  • Incoming St. Ambrose University students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 22) as students at HSU (22).
  • Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Saint Ambrose University 930/1170; Hardin Simmons University 1010/1190.
  • Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Saint Ambrose University 20/25; Hardin Simmons University 19/26.
  • Submitting SAT or ACT scores: St. Ambrose University - Test optional; HSU - Test optional.
  • Accepted freshman HSU students have a 0.04 point higher average high school GPA (3.43) than students at St. Ambrose University (3.39).
  • HSU has a higher acceptance rate (90%) than St. Ambrose University (77.3%).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 16.7% at St. Ambrose University vs. 12.2% at HSU.

St. Ambrose University vs. HSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for St. Ambrose University and HSU? 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 Hardin Simmons University's (47%).
  • Graduates from Saint Ambrose University earn a median of about $1,700 more per year than HSU graduates about ten years after starting college ($48,300 vs. $46,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Saint Ambrose University graduates have a $225 lower median loan debt than HSU graduates ($25,764 vs. $25,989).
  • Among borrowers, St. Ambrose University graduates have an estimated $2 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than HSU graduates ($266 vs. $268).
  • More St. Ambrose University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former HSU students, three years after graduation. (71% vs. 67%)

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.