Ave Maria University
A good fit for students who want small classes and close faculty access. no major red flags in the data. a private nonprofit school with 1,298 students.
About This School
Ave Maria University is a private nonprofit institution located in Ave Maria, Florida with approximately 1,298 undergraduate students enrolled. The school is moderately selective, accepting approximately 41% of applicants. The average net price after financial aid is $24,860 per year. The graduation rate is 54%, and the typical graduate earns $33,700 within 10 years of enrollment.
Ave Maria University (AMU) is a private Catholic university in Ave Maria, Florida, United States. It existed formerly as Ave Maria College in Ypsilanti, Michigan, which was founded in 1998 and reestablished in 2007 along with an interim Naples, Florida campus created in 2003. The school was founded by philanthropist and entrepreneur Tom Monaghan. In 2024, the enrollment was 1,326 students. In 2016 its student body was 80% Catholic.
Founded by Domino's Pizza entrepreneur Tom Monaghan and deeply rooted in Catholic intellectual tradition, this school is a strong fit for mission-driven students who want a tight-knit faith community woven into every part of their education — not just campus ministry on the side. The small enrollment of roughly 1,300 students and a genuinely integrated Great Books-influenced curriculum make it stand out among faithful Catholic colleges, and the median debt at graduation of $20,776 is actually quite manageable. That said, the graduation rate of 54% is a real concern — nearly half of students who start here don't finish, which is a pattern worth taking seriously and asking the admissions office to explain directly. The median earnings of $33,700 ten years out are also on the lower end, so students pursuing careers in education, ministry, or the nonprofit world may feel at home with that outcome, but those expecting a strong financial return should go in with clear eyes. If your family is deeply Catholic and the spiritual formation piece is non-negotiable, this school may be exactly right — just make sure your student has a concrete academic and career plan, and ask current students candidly why so many of their peers leave before graduating.
Popular Programs
Percentage of degrees awarded. Source: College Scorecard.
Admissions
SAT Scores
ACT Scores
Cost & Financial Aid
Net Price by Family Income
Average annual cost after grants/scholarships, by household income. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
Financial Aid
Full Cost
After Graduation
Earnings 6 Years After Enrollment, by Gender
Gap: 21% less for female graduates. National avg ~16%.
Will This School Pay Off?
Solid return. Earnings outpace debt, though major choice matters.
Earnings data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. These are means across all graduates, not specific to any major.
Student Body
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (1,298 undergraduates).
Contact & Location
Official Links
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See How Colleges Compare
Ave Maria University is one of thousands of colleges in our data studies, each built from the same U.S. Department of Education data shown on this page. Compare schools head to head:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the acceptance rate at Ave Maria University?
Ave Maria University has an acceptance rate of 41%, based on the most recent data from the U.S. Department of Education.
Is Ave Maria University hard to get into?
Ave Maria University is moderately selective, with an acceptance rate of 41%. Solid grades and a complete application give most applicants a real shot.
How much does Ave Maria University cost?
The average net price at Ave Maria University is about $24,860 per year after grants and scholarships, based on federal data. Your actual cost depends on your family's finances and aid package.
What is the graduation rate at Ave Maria University?
Ave Maria University has a graduation rate of 54%, according to U.S. Department of Education data.
Sources & Methodology
Primary data source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Accessed via automated sync. Latest values may come from different reporting years depending on the metric.
School overview from Wikipedia. Used for context only, not as a primary data source for admissions, cost, or outcomes claims.
- Earnings figures are institution-level averages, not major-specific.
- Some metrics are based on Title IV financial aid recipients only.
- Some values may be privacy-suppressed or rolled up by the Department of Education.
- Contact the school directly for current admissions requirements and costs.
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