Business Administration, Management and Operations at Saint Ambrose University

Saint Ambrose produces business graduates earning $60,163 their first year out—that's $15,000 above the national median and ranks in the 95th percentile nationally. Within Iowa, though, this performance is less exceptional. The school places at the 60th percentile statewide, trailing William Penn and Iowa State, which suggests the Iowa business job market is generally strong rather than Saint Ambrose offering something uniquely valuable.

The debt picture complicates the story. At $35,135, graduates carry about $8,000 more than the Iowa median, placing this program in the 6th percentile nationally for debt (meaning 94% of similar programs burden students with less). The 0.58 debt-to-earnings ratio is manageable—students could theoretically pay off loans in about seven months of gross income—but families should question why debt runs higher here than at comparable Iowa schools.

The critical caveat: this data reflects fewer than 30 graduates, making these numbers potentially unreliable. A single high earner or scholarship recipient could skew the entire picture. Given the small sample, the higher-than-average debt, and the fact that several Iowa schools deliver similar or better earnings outcomes, parents should carefully compare actual costs after financial aid. Saint Ambrose may work well for some students, but the premium price needs justification beyond what these limited numbers can provide.