St. Ambrose University
St. Ambrose University is a private Catholic university in Davenport, Iowa. It began in 1882 as St. Ambrose Academy, a school for young men started by Bishop John McMullen. Classes first met in two rooms near Sacred Heart Cathedral, then moved to Locust Street in 1885. In 1908, the institution became St. Ambrose College. It became fully coeducational in 1968 and was renamed St. Ambrose University in 1987.
Today the campus covers about 177 acres in an urban setting. The university has roughly 2,900 students (about 2,100 undergraduates and 600 graduates). The student body is about 58% female, most students are full-time, and more than 16% identify as a minority.
Academics
- More than 60 undergraduate majors, 11 master’s programs, and 3 doctoral programs (including physical therapy, occupational therapy, and business administration).
- Notable programs include a strong occupational therapy graduate program; the physical therapy program has a high two-year pass rate on the national exam.
- Accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and various specialty accreditors. The Patricia Van Bruwaene College of Business was named in 2022.
Athletics and student life
- The Fighting Bees compete in 28 varsity sports as a member of the NAIA, mainly in the Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference. Football plays in the Midwest/Mid-States Football Association and moved to the Heart of America Athletic Conference in 2024; lacrosse plays in the KCAC; esports competes in NACE.
- On campus, students run KALA radio and SAUtv, a campus TV/streaming outlet. The university also sponsors the Pacem in Terris Award, given since 1964 to leaders in peace and justice.
Recent developments
- In 2024, St. Ambrose announced a partnership with Mount Mercy University in Cedar Rapids to allow cross-campus classes, and later that year it announced plans to merge with Mount Mercy.
Endowment and leadership
- Endowment is about $251 million (as of 2025).
- Website: sau.edu
This page was last edited on 3 February 2026, at 04:57 (CET).