Ave Maria University
Ave Maria University — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Ave Maria University at a Glance
Ave Maria University (AMU) is a private Catholic university in Ave Maria, Florida, United States. It existed formerly as Ave Maria College in Ypsilanti, Michigan, which was founded in 1998 and reestablished in 2007 along with an interim Naples, Florida campus created in 2003. The school was founded by philanthropist and entrepreneur Tom Monaghan. In 2024, the enrollment was 1,326 students. In 2016 its student body was 80% Catholic.
1998
28 years old
1,311
107
1,000 acres
Identity
Is Ave Maria University Worth It?
At a value score of 27/100, Ave Maria University is a below-average value relative to its cost. Graduates earn $49,520 — 8% below average — while paying $24,860/year. Consider alternatives with better earnings-to-cost ratios.
The investment pays for itself in just 2 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
A 55% graduation rate is a serious red flag — fewer than 5 in 10 students finish. Those who don't graduate may still carry student debt without the higher-earning credential to show for it.
Bottom line: consider whether the specific program you're interested in at Ave Maria University has outcomes that justify the cost — the institution-wide numbers suggest caution.
How Ave Maria University compares to peer private nonprofit colleges of similar tier nationally
Ranked #31 of 59 on value score. Peers are matched by size, median earnings, SAT, and admission rate — not just geography.
| Rank | College | Value | Net price / yr | Median earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Brescia University | 67 | $8,709 | $45,500 |
| #2 | William Jewell College | 54 | $17,562 | $59,268 |
| #3 | Hallmark University | 54 | $12,513 | $40,183 |
| #4 | Austin College | 49 | $21,107 | $61,296 |
| #5 | Bob Jones University | 45 | $16,641 | $44,354 |
| #6 | Judson University | 43 | $18,558 | $56,313 |
| #31 | Ave Maria University | 27 | $24,860 | $49,520 |
Peer group: private nonprofit colleges within ±60% of Ave Maria University's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 1 in FL.
Best Programs at Ave Maria University
The highest-earning program at Ave Maria University is Business Administration, Management and Operations at $29,800/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Theological and Ministerial Studies at $22,400/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Business Administration, Management and Operations graduate from Ave Maria University earns $29,800, while a Theological and Ministerial Studies graduate earns $22,400. Choose your program carefully — it's the single biggest lever you control.
Debt also varies by program: Business Administration, Management and Operations graduates carry $23,859 in median debt vs. $19,447 for Theological and Ministerial Studies.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $24,860/yr net price × 4 years
Earnings Premium
vs. national average of $53,787/yr
Payback Period
Time to recoup the total cost through higher earnings
10-Year Net Gain
Median earnings over 10 years minus total cost of attendance
Programs & Earnings by Major
Graduate earnings data by field of study (4 years after graduation):
| Major | Earnings (4yr) | Earnings (1yr) | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $29,800 | $29,800 | $23,859 |
| Biology, General | $29,300 | $29,300 | $19,500 |
| Psychology, General | $25,200 | $25,200 | $21,431 |
| Theological and Ministerial Studies | $22,400 | $22,400 | $19,447 |
Similar Colleges in FL
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- private
- Location
- Ave Maria, FL
- Student Body
- 1,298 students
- Admission Rate
- 41%
- Graduation Rate
- 55%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $24,860
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $49,520
- Median Student Debt
- $20,776