Ave Maria University

  • Ave Maria University

    Ave Maria, FL

  • Ave Maria University

    Ave Maria, FL

  • Ave Maria University

    Ave Maria, FL

  • Ave Maria University

    Ave Maria, FL

  • Ave Maria University

    Ave Maria, FL

1,229

Undergrads

90%

Catholic Faculty

90%

Catholic Students

Ave Maria University

Ave Maria University was founded in 2003 upon the vision of entrepreneur Tom Monaghan: Marian devotion, strong fidelity, quality academics, and an idyllic Florida community built around a Catholic parish church.

Ave Maria has a strong, liberal arts core curriculum including three Catholic theology and two philosophy courses, plus more than 30 majors. In the theology program, which includes master’s and doctoral degrees, all professors have a mandatum from the local bishop. About 90 percent of both students and professors are Catholic.

Spiritual life is faithfully Catholic and includes daily Masses and Confession, a chapel in every residence hall, 24-hour Eucharistic adoration, faith-centered student “households,” and availability of Extraordinary Form Mass at the nearby parish. All student residence halls are appropriately single-sex, and there is a sensible “open door” policy during limited hours of opposite-sex visitation to private rooms.

The South Florida location allows year-round outdoor activity, including public beaches 45 minutes from campus. There are more than 60 student clubs on campus and a growing number of varsity and junior varsity sports in the NAIA Sun Conference. The Town of Ave Maria offers a few shops, restaurants, and medical offices within walking distance, but otherwise the remote campus is a 20- to 40-minute drive from other conveniences and complete medical services.

When you consider the Catholic Marian identity, strong academics, faithful faculty, relatively low net price, and Florida sun, Ave Maria stands as an exciting option for Catholics today.

What we really like:

Ave Maria’s Catholic, Marian identity impacts nearly every aspect of the campus life and academics, including a strong Thomistic theology department and other impressive faculty. The surrounding town and community are friendly and mostly Catholic. Other highlights include its Shakespeare in Performance program and charitable activities in nearby Immokalee.

Visit Campus

Get in touch with Ave Maria University to schedule your campus visit:

239-280-2556

5050 Ave Maria Blvd.
Ave Maria, Florida 34142

https://www.avemaria.edu/

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Catholic Identity Special Recognition for Ave Maria University in The Newman Guide:

  • GOLD: Catholic Trustees

    100% of trustees are Catholic.

  • GOLD: Theology and Philosophy

    At least 24 credits of study in Catholic theology and philosophy required for all undergraduates.

  • GOLD: Honors and Speakers

    Has policy prohibiting honors and speaking invitations to those who publicly oppose Catholic moral teaching and ensures that speakers do not call into question Catholic moral teaching.

  • GOLD: Spiritual Life

    Mass is offered every day on campus and there are scheduled opportunities at least three times/week for Confession & Adoration.

  • SILVER: Profession of Faith

    President makes the Profession of Faith at least once upon hiring, and all theology faculty have the mandatum.

  • SILVER: Student Residences

    Student residences are single sex, and doors must remain open during limited opposite sex visitation in student residences.

  • SILVER: Catholic Faculty

    At least 85% of faculty is Catholic.

  • SILVER: Catholic Students

    At least 80% of students are Catholic.

All of the colleges recognized in The Newman Guide are serious about faithful Catholic formation and education, but they are quite different in many important respects. Explore their websites, talk to faculty and admissions counselors, and visit their campuses to determine which is right for you!