Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Where is St. Ambrose University located?
A. The campus is located in the city of Davenport, Iowa, in the Quad Cities area, close to the border of Illinois. There are approximately 11,000 international students in the state of Iowa. Students can easily access the Moline International Airport through connections in Minneapolis, Chicago, and Detroit. Map

Q. Is SAU a public or private institution?
A. SAU is a private university, offering more than 60 majors at the bachelor's level, 11 master's level programs, and three doctoral programs.

The university is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association, and some programs carry their own professional accreditation.

Q. How much does it cost to attend SAU?
A. Tuition at SAU is the same for international and domestic students. Please see the Cost of Attending page for current tuition and fees, and keep in mind that graduate degree costs vary depending on the academic program and degree.

Q. How many international students are studying at SAU?
A. Each year we enroll approximately 70 international graduate and undergraduate students representing 30 countries from around the world. In some cases, students are here with their families.

SAU is proud to sponsor student organizations for students from different countries, cultures, and religions and makes every effort to provide students the opportunity to maintain their cultural practices while living in the United States.

Q. Do you have scholarships for international students?
A. YES, students can receive scholarships. You can apply for assistance before you enter SAU and once you are accepted to your program.

Q. When should I apply for the scholarships?
A. There is no need to apply for a scholarship. The university admissions office will make this decision and inform you of an award.

Q. Can I work while I study?
A. Yes. You can work up to 20 hours on campus. Students can work off campus after the first nine months of study but need to check with their department and SAU's International Student Services Office to make sure they stay within the parameters of their visa.* It is important to note that students will not earn enough money to pay for their tuition by working on campus.*

Q: Does St. Ambrose have athletic teams?
A: Yes! And we have some of the best-performing teams in our conferences. Check out the SAUBEES.com website

Q. What are the deadlines for applying to SAU?
A. SAU has rolling admission, and in some cases can accept students for entry in the fall, spring, and summer semesters. This means that we will consider your application whenever you send it to us.

Remember:

• Graduate programs sometimes have limited space and eventually fill up.
• Leave yourself enough time to be accepted, receive your I-20, get a visa interview, get your visa, and make it to SAU.

Q. How long do I have to wait to receive an acceptance decision?
A. If you are applying for undergraduate admissions you will likely hear from us within one week.

If you are applying for graduate admissions you will likely hear back from us within three weeks.

Q. Do you provide additional services to international students?
A. Yes, we have a comprehensive International Student Services Office that will help you with visa processing, arrival assistance, lodging, local shopping, course registration, and integration. For more information about our services, please contact International Student Services by email ISS@sau.edu.

Q. How do I apply for an undergraduate degree program?
A. We have a complete list of application requirements developed for each type of student on the International Admissions page under "Application Instructions."

Q. How do I apply for a graduate degree program?
A. In order to apply for graduate admittance, visit the Graduate Admissions page for a list of general requirements. Please see each program's website for test score and letter of recommendation requirements.

Do you have additional questions? Contact International@sau.edu