
Ave Maria University is a small, private liberal arts college located in Southwest Florida. The university was established in 2003 by founder Tom Monaghan, a former Marine, with a vision to create a Catholic university that offered a robust classical liberal arts curriculum. The university has an acceptance rate of 41% and a graduation rate of 46%. As of 2023, the total enrollment at Ave Maria University is approximately 1,108 students, with 1,048 undergraduates and 36 graduate students. The undergraduate population consists of 56% women and 44% men, while the graduate student population is made up of 42% women and 58% men. The university offers 33 undergraduate and three graduate degree programs, providing a diverse range of courses united by a common goal of exploring the wisdom of God and Catholic faith.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Year of establishment | 2003 |
| Location | Southwest Florida |
| Type of institution | Private liberal arts college |
| Campus setting | Suburban |
| Campus type | Residential |
| Gender makeup | Co-ed |
| Total enrollment | 1,108 |
| Undergraduate enrollment | 1,048 |
| Graduate enrollment | 36 |
| Acceptance rate | 41% |
| Graduation rate | 46% |
| Faculty-student ratio | 18:1 |
| Undergraduate tuition | $28,224 |
| Number of undergraduate degrees offered | 33 |
| Number of graduate degrees offered | 3 |
| Number of clubs | More than 40 |
| Number of events per year | 250 |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn

Ave Maria University has around 1,108 students in total
Ave Maria University, a Catholic institution of higher education, has around 1,108 students in total. The university was established in 2003 by Thomas S. Monaghan, who dreamed of creating a Catholic university that was faithful to the Church's magisterium. The university is located in Southwest Florida and offers one of the strongest classical liberal arts curricula in the country, as well as opportunities for specialised study in the sciences and humanities.
The total enrollment of approximately 1,108 students includes 1,048 undergraduates and 36 graduate students. The full-time undergraduate population consists of 56% women and 44% men, while the graduate student population is made up of 42% women and 58% men. Ave Maria University has an acceptance rate of 41% and a graduation rate of 46%. The university offers a diverse range of courses, from biology and psychology to finance, all united by the common goal of uncovering the wisdom of God.
The campus life at Ave Maria University is vibrant, with more than 40 clubs and 250 events each year catering to various interests, including academics, the arts, faith, service, and sports. The university also has a strong spiritual focus, with Mass celebrated on campus in the Our Lady of Guadalupe Chapel and in the Ave Maria Parish Church off-campus. Chapels are located in each of the six dorms, and members of the clergy live on campus to assist in maintaining the spiritual life of the community.
The university's founder, Tom Monaghan, a former Marine, envisioned a university that bore a name rich in history and tradition and embodied determination and service. The university's growth plans, however, have fallen short of their stated goals. Despite this, Ave Maria University remains committed to providing an academically excellent and solidly Catholic education, fostering a love of learning and a deep appreciation for the pursuit of truth.
Unemployment Benefits for Student Jobs: What's the Deal?
You may want to see also
Explore related products

1,048 are undergraduates, 36 are postgraduates
Ave Maria University is a small, private liberal arts college located in Southwest Florida. The university was established in 2003 by founder Tom Monaghan, a former Marine, with a donation of $250 million. Monaghan envisioned a Catholic university that offered a robust classical liberal arts curriculum and exceptional opportunities for specialised study in the sciences and humanities. Ave Maria University currently has approximately 1,108 students enrolled, with 1,048 undergraduates and 36 postgraduates.
The undergraduate population at Ave Maria University is predominantly female, with 56% women and 44% men. The university offers 33 undergraduate degrees across various disciplines, including biology, psychology, and finance. The curriculum is faith-based, with the truths of the Catholic faith woven throughout the academic programs. Students can expect to take required courses in philosophy, theology, composition, science, math, history, political science, and a foreign language as part of the core curriculum.
The graduate programs at Ave Maria University include M.A. and Ph.D. studies in theology, as well as a Master of Theological Studies designed for non-traditional students. While the university currently has a smaller number of graduate students, it has plans for expansion. Monaghan's original vision included a goal of enrolling over 5,000 students, Division I athletics, and an academic reputation as "a Catholic Ivy". The university aimed to grow its undergraduate enrollment to 1,700 students by 2016 and 1,500 by 2020, but it has fallen short of these targets.
Ave Maria University provides a vibrant campus life, with more than 40 clubs and 250 events each year catering to different areas of interest, including academics, the arts, faith, service, and sports. The university also places a strong emphasis on spiritual life, with Mass celebrated on campus in the Our Lady of Guadalupe Chapel and chapels located in each of the six dorms. The student body is diverse, with 80.23% of students falling within the traditional college student age range of 18-21, compared to a national average of 60%.
Jewish Students at Auburn University: How Many?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
$29.95 $29.95

80.23% of students are aged 18-21
Ave Maria University is a small, private liberal arts college located in Southwest Florida. The college was established in 2003 and offers a variety of undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral degrees. With a total enrollment of approximately 1,108 students, 80.23% of students are aged 18-21, which is considered the age range of a traditional college student. This percentage is significantly higher than the national average of 60%.
The undergraduate population at Ave Maria University consists of 1,048 students, with 56% women and 44% men. The university also has 36 graduate students, with a slightly higher percentage of men (58%) than women (42%). The university's acceptance rate is 41%, and it has a graduation rate of 46%.
The university's founder, Thomas S. Monaghan, envisioned creating a Catholic university that adhered to the Church's magisterium. The university strives to provide a robust curriculum and campus ministry that equips students to seek truth, love the good, and serve God and others. The academic programs are designed to foster a love of learning and a deep appreciation for the pursuit of truth, integrating the richness of the Catholic faith into various disciplines.
Located in a suburban community, Ave Maria University offers a vibrant campus life with more than 40 clubs and 250 events each year catering to different areas of interest, including academics, the arts, faith, service, and sports. The university aims to provide a well-rounded education that prepares students for success in a competitive job market while also nurturing their spiritual growth and deepening their connection to the Catholic Church.
Dual University Enrollment: Possible or Not?
You may want to see also
Explore related products

The university fell short of its 2016 enrolment goal of 1,700
Ave Maria University, a Catholic university in Southwest Florida, fell short of its 2016 enrolment goal of 1,700 students. The university, which was established in 2003, had set a goal of growing its undergraduate enrolment to approximately 1,700 students by the fall of 2016. However, it has faced challenges in achieving this target.
The university's enrolment numbers have fluctuated over the years. When it first opened an interim campus in Naples, Florida, in 2003, it enrolled around 100 undergraduate students, 75 of whom were freshmen. In 2023, the total enrolment was reported to be approximately 1,108 students, with 1,048 undergraduates and 36 graduate students. This is a significant improvement from the initial years but still falls short of the 2016 goal.
Financial crises, such as the one in 2008, have impacted Ave Maria University's finances and may have contributed to the challenges in reaching the enrolment target. The university has also faced zoning approval issues, which led to the relocation of the campus to Florida. These factors, along with other economic and operational challenges, might have influenced the university's ability to attract and enrol a larger number of students.
Despite falling short of its 2016 goal, Ave Maria University continues to strive for growth and expansion. The university offers a robust curriculum, a diverse range of degrees, and a vibrant campus community. With a current faculty-student ratio of 18:1, the university is committed to providing a high-quality education and a well-rounded experience for its students.
While the university has not yet reached its desired enrolment numbers, it remains focused on its academic mission and Catholic identity. The university's leaders are dedicated to maintaining academic rigour and fostering a vibrant community life, with the goal of becoming "a fountainhead of renewal" for the Church.
Brown University Scholarships: Local Students' Opportunities
You may want to see also
Explore related products
$20.99 $29.99
$18.79 $20.99

It opened in 2003 with 100 undergrad students
Ave Maria University, a Catholic university in Southwest Florida, opened in 2003 with 100 undergraduate students. The university was founded by Thomas S. Monaghan, who donated $250 million to establish the institution. The campus was initially located in The Vineyards in Naples, Florida, but this was only an interim site. The university now has a permanent campus in Ave Maria, Florida, with a faculty-student ratio of 18:1.
The university currently offers 33 undergraduate degrees, 3 graduate degrees, and several doctoral degrees. The curriculum includes a core of 14 required courses in philosophy, theology, composition, science, math, history, political science, and foreign languages. The university also offers a robust extracurricular programme, with more than 40 clubs and 250 events each year.
When it opened in 2003, Ave Maria University enrolled 100 undergraduate students, 75 of whom were freshmen. The university has grown significantly since then, with around 1,108 students enrolled in total as of 2023. Of these, 1,048 are undergraduates and 36 are graduate students. The undergraduate population is made up of 56% women and 44% men, while the graduate population consists of 42% women and 58% men.
The university has a unique character as a faithfully Catholic institution. It aims to provide students with an academically excellent and solidly Catholic education, helping them to understand their chosen discipline through the lens of the Catholic faith. The university's mission is to form the minds, hearts, and souls of its students, encouraging them to seek truth, love the good, and serve God and their fellow humans generously.
Accessing Your Maynooth University Student Email: A Guide
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
As of 2023, Ave Maria University has approximately 1,108 students enrolled, including 1,048 undergraduates and 36 graduate students.
When Ave Maria University opened in 2003, it enrolled around 100 undergraduate students, 75 of whom were freshmen.
The traditional college student age range is defined as being between the ages of 18 and 21. At Ave Maria University, 80.23% of students fall into this category, compared to a national average of 60%.
Ave Maria University has an acceptance rate of 41%.
The founder of Ave Maria University, Thomas S. Monaghan, hoped to expand the university to enrol over 5,000 students. However, the university's more recent goal was to "grow the University's undergraduate enrolment at its main campus in Florida to approximately 1,700 students by the fall of 2016".











































