
Ave Maria University (AMU) is a private Catholic university in Ave Maria, Florida. The university was founded by philanthropist and entrepreneur Tom Monaghan in 1998 and reestablished in 2007. As of 2021, the university has an enrollment of 1,245 students, with 80% of the student body identifying as Catholic. The undergraduate population is made up of 56% women and 44% men, with 80.23% of students falling within the traditional college student age range of 18-21 years old. AMU's campus occupies about 5,000 acres, with nearly 20% designated for the campus.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Type of College | Private liberal arts college |
| Gender | Co-ed |
| Campus Type | Residential |
| Location | Ave Maria, Southwest Florida |
| Acceptance Rate | 41% |
| Graduation Rate | 46% |
| Total Enrollment | 1,108 (2023); 1,245 (2021) |
| Undergraduate Enrollment | 1,048 |
| Graduate Enrollment | 36 |
| Full-time Undergraduate Population | 56% women, 44% men |
| Full-time Graduate Population | 42% women, 58% men |
| Age Diversity | 80.23% of students are between 18-21 years old |
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What You'll Learn

Ave Maria University's student population in 2021 was 1,245
Ave Maria University (AMU) is a private Catholic university in Ave Maria, Florida. The university is located in a suburban community and is primarily a residential campus. It was founded by philanthropist and entrepreneur Tom Monaghan, a former Marine, in 2007. Monaghan's vision was to create a Catholic university that was faithful to the magisterium of the Catholic Church, offering a liberal arts education in a Catholic environment.
In 2021, AMU's student population was 1,245. This was a shortfall of the university's goal of growing its undergraduate enrollment to 1,700 students by 2016 and 1,500 by 2020. The university has faced financial challenges, including the impact of the 2008 financial crisis and cost overruns during construction.
AMU offers undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral degrees. The university has an acceptance rate of 41% and a graduation rate of 46%. The full-time undergraduate population comprises 56% women and 44% men, with 80.23% of students falling within the traditional college student age range of 18-21 years.
The campus occupies about 5,000 acres, with nearly 20% designated for the university. The town of Ave Maria is located 17 miles east of Naples in rural Collier County. The campus features the Ave Maria Oratory, a large Gothic-inspired structure serving as the parish church. The university is committed to wildlife preservation and restoration projects to maintain the natural state of the surrounding area.
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The university's goal of 1,700 students by 2016 was not met
Ave Maria University (AMU) is a private Catholic university in Ave Maria, Florida. It was founded by philanthropist and entrepreneur Tom Monaghan, who aimed to create a Catholic university that would provide a liberal arts education in a Catholic environment. The university has a strong commitment to Catholic values and seeks to become a "fountainhead of renewal" for the Church.
However, AMU's growth has not kept pace with its ambitious goals. Despite Monaghan's vision of expanding the university to over 5,000 students, the university has struggled to reach even a fraction of that number. In 2016, the university fell short of its target of enrolling 1,700 undergraduate students at its main campus in Florida. This gap between aspiration and reality continued to widen, as the university's enrolment numbers remained stagnant in the following years.
There are several factors that likely contributed to AMU's inability to meet its enrolment goals. One significant challenge was the financial crisis of 2008, which took a toll on the university's finances. The troubled Florida real estate market also impacted the university, leading to shelved plans for new buildings and a struggle to balance the budget.
In addition to financial challenges, AMU has faced criticism and controversy on various fronts. Some have questioned the university's financial decisions, while others have expressed disappointment with the campus location, residence life, and administrative dysfunction. These factors may have contributed to a perception of the university that fell short of its idealized vision, potentially impacting its ability to attract new students and meet enrolment targets.
While AMU's student body may be smaller than envisioned, the university continues to foster a strong community feel. Students praise the welcoming atmosphere, the beauty of the campus, and the dedication of the professors. Despite falling short of its enrolment goals, AMU remains a close-knit academic community that prioritizes faith and intellectual growth.
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The university's undergraduate enrollment is 1,048
Ave Maria University (AMU) is a private Catholic university in Ave Maria, Florida. The university's undergraduate enrollment is 1,048, with a total enrollment of approximately 1,108 students. AMU is a small, 4-year, private liberal arts college. It is a co-ed college located in a suburban community and is primarily a residential campus.
The undergraduate population at AMU is made up of 56% women and 44% men. This is a higher proportion of women than men, reflecting the overall gender balance of the university. AMU has an acceptance rate of 41% and a graduation rate of 46%.
The university has a goal of expanding its enrollment and developing its athletics program and academic reputation. In 2016, AMU aimed to grow its undergraduate enrollment at its main campus in Florida to 1,700 students. However, this goal was not achieved, and in 2021, the total enrollment was 1,245 students.
The majority of AMU students are traditional college students, with 80.23% falling between the ages of 18 and 21. This is higher than the national average of 60%. The university has a religious focus, with 80% of its student body identifying as Catholic in 2016.
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There are 36 graduate students at Ave Maria University
Ave Maria University (AMU) is a private Catholic university in Ave Maria, Florida. It was founded in 1998 as Ave Maria College in Ypsilanti, Michigan, and was re-established in 2007. The university offers undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral degrees.
In terms of student population, AMU is a small, 4-year liberal arts college. As of 2023, AMU's total enrollment is approximately 1,108 students, with 1,048 undergraduates and 36 graduate students. The full-time undergraduate population consists of 56% women and 44% men, while the graduate student body is made up of 42% women and 58% men.
AMU's student demographics include a high proportion of traditional-age students, with 80.23% falling between the ages of 18 and 21, compared to the national average of 60%. The university has a history of religious affiliation, with an 80% Catholic student body reported in 2016.
The founder of AMU, Tom Monaghan, a former Marine, envisioned a Catholic university faithful to the magisterium of the Catholic Church. Monaghan aimed for an enrollment of over 5,000 students, Division I athletics, and a reputation as "a Catholic Ivy". However, the university's growth has fallen short of this goal, with an enrollment of 1,245 students reported in 2021.
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The gender ratio for undergraduates is 56:44, female to male
Ave Maria University (AMU) is a private Catholic university in Ave Maria, Florida. It was founded by philanthropist and entrepreneur Tom Monaghan, who is also the founder of Domino's Pizza. The university has experienced financial difficulties, including the impact of the 2008 financial crisis and challenges with construction costs.
As of 2023, the total enrollment at AMU is approximately 1,108 students, with 1,048 undergraduates and 36 graduate students. The gender ratio for undergraduates is 56:44, female to male, indicating a higher proportion of female students. This ratio reflects the overall gender distribution within the full-time undergraduate population, with 56% female students and 44% male students.
The university has set ambitious goals for expansion, aiming for an enrollment of over 5,000 students. However, as of 2024, it has only achieved approximately 20% of this goal. The undergraduate enrollment target for 2016 was 1,700 students, but the actual enrollment fell short, with around 1,245 students in 2021.
The gender ratio at Ave Maria University, with a higher proportion of female undergraduates, is indicative of the university's appeal to women seeking a Catholic liberal arts education. The university's focus on faith-based academic excellence and life preparation has attracted a diverse student body, with a significant female population in its undergraduate programs.
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Frequently asked questions
As of 2021, Ave Maria University has 1,245 students enrolled.
The university aimed to have 1,700 students enrolled by 2016 and 1,500 by 2020 but fell short of these goals.
The full-time undergraduate population at AMU is made up of 56% women and 44% men.











































