Ave Maria University

Ave Maria University is a mid-size private non-profit liberal arts college located in Ave Maria, Florida, with an undergraduate enrollment of 1,298. The curriculum is structured around a broad-based liberal arts and sciences education, emphasizing critical thinking, written communication, and interdisciplinary inquiry with close faculty-student engagement across small classes. As an independently governed, non-profit institution relying on tuition, endowment returns, and philanthropic support, it operates within the broader Florida postsecondary education landscape and is regionally accredited, making its credits and degrees eligible for federal financial aid. With a 41% acceptance rate, admission is moderately selective. Admission is competitive but accessible, with 41% of applicants receiving offers each year. Net price for families earning \$48,001–$75,000 averages $23,790 per year. The 4-year graduation rate is 55%, 10 percentage points above the national average of 45%. Among students who received federal financial aid, 10-year median earnings are $49,520. Median debt at graduation for federal aid recipients is $20,776. The student-to-faculty ratio is 17:1.