Incoming first-years and transfer students can earn a Bachelor of Science in Nursing on St. Ambrose's campus in Davenport, Iowa. Students on this track access the benefits of student life, from classes in our fully-equipped Center for Health Sciences Education to on-campus housing and dining options.
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Explore nursing courses
On-campus BSN students complete a total of 124 credits, including 33 gen ed credits, 64 core credits, 27 elective credits, several group clinicals, 1 one-on-one preceptorship, several simulations, and 1 capstone project.
BS in Nursing Course Sequence
How much does a BS in Nursing cost?
The cost of your degree will depend on several factors, like scholarships, housing, meal plans, and transfer credits. New students also pay a $100 matriculation fee. You will also need to budget for books, supplies, materials, transportation, personal costs, loan fees, and other expenses, including Nursing Fees and Supplies (pdf). Explore total cost of attendance.
Full-time student living on campus
| Expense |
By Semester |
By Year |
| Full-time tuition (12-18 credits)* |
$18,917 |
$37,833 |
| Housing** |
$4,140 |
$8,280 |
| Food*** |
$2,750 |
$5,500 |
| Technology fee |
$140 |
$280 |
| Total direct charges (billable) |
$25,947 |
$51,893 |
*Based on 2025-2026 tuition and fees. Tuition and fees are subject to change each summer. Additionally, on-campus nursing students are charged fees by the credit hour for nursing courses, at $50 per credit hour.
**This cost is estimated, actual housing cost will vary by student selections.
***Cost estimate based on 3 meals per day.
Housing costs for on-campus students
When it comes to housing, St. Ambrose University offers diverse options to meet the needs of our students. From traditional dormitories to apartment-style living, there's something for everyone. The cost of your housing will vary based on where you decide to live and the meal plan you choose.
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How to Apply
Follow these three steps to apply to the BSN program in St. Ambrose University's Presentation Sisters Department of Nursing:
Email nursing@sau.edu to talk to an advisor about program requirements and next steps
Complete the undergraduate application to St. Ambrose University
Complete the BSN program application
Applications received by December 1 will be given priority admission for the fall semester. Applications received by July 1 will be given priority admission for the spring semester. Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis until each cohort has been filled.
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Admission requirements for a BS in Nursing
Ready to start your career in Nursing? Here are the admissions requirements for our Nursing program.
- You must have graduated from an accredited high school or earned a GED
- You must have a minimum cumulative, unweighted GPA of 3.0
- You must provide an official high school transcript
- You must apply to St. Ambrose University, then complete an additional application for our nursing program
- You should have no more than 7 outstanding required general education credits left to complete when you enter the Nursing Program.
Additionally, the following are required prior to being fully accepted into and starting the nursing program:
- Completion of a CNA Certification (Certified Nursing Assistant) course, active CNA certification, or employment documentation of Nursing Department Skills Checklist, within the last 3 years of entering the Nursing Program.
- CPR Certification through the American Heart Association Basic Life Support (not Red Cross).
- Completion of the SAU Foreign Language Requirement: High School – 3 years of the same foreign language, OR College level – 2 semesters of the same foreign language (prior to starting the Nursing Program).
- Completion of Health Documentation Requirements.
Email a nursing advisor
Required prerequisites
Complete the following prerequisite courses with a C grade or higher prior to admission to the Nursing Program. If applicable, no more than one science course can be completed the summer before fall entry:
- +BIOL 101 Principles of Biology (or higher level Biology), 4 credits (plus lab)
- BIOL 211 Introductory Microbiology, 4 credits (plus lab)
- BIOL 230 Human Anatomy and Physiology, 4 credits (plus lab)
- BIOL 232 Advanced Human Anatomy and Physiology, 4 credits (plus lab)
- +CHEM 103 Principles of Chemistry (or higher level Chemistry), 4 credits (plus lab)
- STAT 213 Applied Statistical Reasoning for the Sciences, 3 credits
- +PSYC 105 Introduction to Psychology, 3 credits
- PSYC 212 Life-Span Developmental Psychology, 3 credits
- +SOC 101 Introduction to Sociology, 3 credits
+applicable toward general education requirement
International student requirements
If you live outside of the U.S. there are different admissions requirements. Here’s what you’ll need:
- Official transcripts from secondary education
- A minimum 3.0 CGPA out of a 4.0 scale, or equivalent
- Proof of English language proficiency (minimum scores: TOEFL - 84 with a speaking score of 26, TOEFL PBT minimum score of 560, IELTS - 6.5 with a speaking score of 7.0)
- Copy of your passport and other documentation
- You must apply to St. Ambrose University, then complete an additional application for our nursing program
What’s on campus for nursing students?
On-campus nursing students complete health sciences classwork in the SAU Center for Health Sciences Education on the Genesis Medical Center West campus.
Participate in the St. Ambrose Student Nurses Association, a student-led organization for pre-nursing and current nursing students. The goal is to give back to our local community and promote employment opportunities.
Nursing students can also get involved in the Nurses' Christian Fellowship (NCF). This group encourages SAU students and faculty to explore and connect Christian faith and nursing while also providing resources that help nurses practice from a Christian perspective.
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