Ave Maria University

Ave Maria University

Southeast Region
Rural Campus Setting
Small Size
1,301 Undergrad Enrollment
17:1 Student:Faculty
Doctoral Highest Degree
Accepts Tuition Rewards
5050 Ave Maria Blvd. - Ave Maria, FL 34142

From Ave Maria University

Located in beautiful southwest Florida, Ave Maria University was the first new Catholic university established in over 40 years in the United States when it opened in 2003.

As a student at Ave Maria, you will have independence within a network of support. Ave Maria students are taught by professors who love teaching. As the average class size is only 20 students, you will have the opportunity to talk with your professors not only in classrooms and offices but over lunch, coffee or visits to their homes.

The University's acclaimed liberal arts program provides instruction in theology, philosophy, literature, mathematics, natural science, history, politics and foreign languages. Students choose from 30 majors, including elementary education, nursing, biology, psychology and business.

The cost to attend Ave Maria is among the lowest of any private university in America; scholarships can reduce that figure significantly. The University is surrounded by a small town with a European feel that provides students with a safe community of living and learning. Ave Maria offers more than 50 student-led clubs, 16 intercollegiate athletic teams, campus ministry and service learning opportunities.

There's no better way to learn about life at AMU than to experience it first-hand. We invite you to come, tour our gorgeous campus and residence halls, sit in on a class, meet your admissions counselor, attend an athletic event and gather more information to make your decision easier.

Neighborhood

Ave Maria is a planned community in southwest Florida designed with a pedestrian-friendly layout, making it easy for students to walk to dining, shopping, and entertainment options within the campus area. The town features a central plaza with restaurants, cafes, and retail shops, along with recreational facilities and green spaces that create a close-knit residential atmosphere. While the location is more rural and quieter than urban college towns, it offers a safe, organized environment focused on community life and outdoor activities.
0
Car-Dependent
Walk Score
0
Minimal Transit
Transit Score
25
Some Bike Lanes
Bike Score
Median rent nearby: ~$1,862/mo

Admissions & Enrollment

2026-27 Application Deadlines Deadline  
Regular Decision Jul 26, 2027
Application deadlines are based on information from the college website or publicly available sources. Deadlines can change, so be sure to verify all deadlines with the college before applying.
  REQ Required REC Recommended CON Considered NR Not Required
Highschool GPA
Highschool Rank
Highschool Record
College Preparatory Program
Recommendations
Admission test scores
Personal essay
· REQ = Required
· REC = Recommended
· CON = Considered
· NR = Not Required
Freshmen Class Total Men Women Another
Number of applicants 2,689 52 % 47 % -
Number admitted 1,113 47 % 52 % 1 %
Number enrolled 365 48 % 51 % -
Does not fall into either of the mutually exclusive binary categories provided

Featured Video

Upcoming Events

The Ave Maria Experience
Join us for the Ave Maria Experience, a two-day, overnight visit that gives you a real taste of life…
The Ave Maria Experience
Join us for the Ave Maria Experience, a two-day, overnight visit that gives you a real taste of life…
The Ave Maria Experience
Join us for the Ave Maria Experience, a two-day, overnight visit that gives you a real taste of life…
The Ave Maria Experience
Join us for the Ave Maria Experience, a two-day, overnight visit that gives you a real taste of life…

Majors & Degrees

Bachelor’s
Master’s
Doctoral
Top 10 in enrollment
Top 5 in enrollment
Top 10 based on enrollment
Top 5 based on enrollment
Area of Study Major Bachelor Master Doctor
Area, Ethnic, Cultural, Gender, and Group Studies American/United States Studies/Civilization — —
Biological and Biomedical Sciences Biochemistry — —
Biology/Biological Sciences — —
Marine Biology and Biological Oceanography — —
Exercise Physiology and Kinesiology — —
Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services Accounting — —
Business Administration and Management —
Business/Managerial Economics — —
Finance — —
International Business/Trade/Commerce — —
Marketing/Marketing Management — —
Communication, Journalism, and Related Programs Communication — —
Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services Computer Science — —
Education Educational Leadership and Administration — —
Elementary Education and Teaching — —
English Language and Literature/Letters General Literature — —
Foreign Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics Classics and Classical Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics — —
Health Professions and Related Programs Health/Health Care Administration/Management — —
Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences — —
Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse — —
History History — —
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities Humanities/Humanistic Studies — —
Mathematics and Statistics Mathematics — —
Natural Resources and Conservation Environmental Studies — —
Philosophy and Religious Studies Philosophy —
Catholic Studies — —
Physical Sciences Physics — —
Psychology Psychology — —
Social Sciences Econometrics and Quantitative Economics — —
Economics — —
Political Economy — —
Political Science and Government — —
Theology and Religious Vocations Theology/Theological Studies —
Visual and Performing Arts Music — —

Athletics

NAIA Division II
Sport Men Women
All Track Combined
All Track Combined
Baseball
Basketball
Beach Volleyball
Football
Golf
Lacrosse
Other Sports
Soccer
Softball
Swimming
Tennis
Volleyball

Mission Statement

Founded in fidelity to Christ and His Church in response to the call of Vatican II for greater lay witness in contemporary society, Ave Maria University exists to further teaching, research, and learning at the undergraduate and graduate levels in the abiding tradition of Catholic thought in both national and international settings. The University takes as its mission the sponsorship of a liberal arts education curriculum dedicated, as articulated in the apostolic constitution Ex Corde Ecclesiae, to the advancement of human culture, the promotion of dialogue between faith and reason, the formation of men and women in the intellectual and moral virtues of the Catholic faith, and to the development of professional and pre-professional programs in response to local and societal needs. As an institution committed to Catholic principles, the University recognizes the importance of creating and maintaining an environment in which faith informs the life of the community and takes expression in all its programs. The University recognizes the central and indispensable role of the Ordinary of the Diocese of Venice in promoting and assisting in the preservation and strengthening of the University-s Catholic identity.