Non-Profit Private
Accredited · Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
Ave Maria, Florida
44.8% Acceptance Rate
Ave Maria University — Admission Snapshot 2026
A complete at-a-glance picture of every metric that matters for your 2026 application
44.8%Acceptance Rate
3.6Avg GPA
1129Avg SAT
$43,220Annual Cost
$49,520Grad Salary
23.2%Pell Grant
Acceptance Rate
44.8%
Avg GPA
3.6
Avg SAT
1129
Selectivity
Selective
Institution Type
Non-Profit Private
Campus
Branch Campus
Accredited By
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
SAT Middle 50%
1089–1159
Need-Based Aid
23.2% receive Pell
Ave Maria University Ave Maria University, founded in 2003 in Ave Maria, Florida, is a private Catholic university committed to providing education in the Catholic liberal arts tradition. The university's striking 900-acre campus features Spanish-Mediterranean architecture centered around the magnificent Oratory, designed by renowned architect Miguel Quismondo. Ave Maria offers undergraduate and graduate programs with particular strengths in theology, philosophy, and classical education. The university maintains a 12:1 student-faculty ratio, ensuring close mentorship and a tight-knit academic community. All students complete a rigorous core curriculum grounded in the Great Books and Catholic intellectual tradition.
Ave Maria University emphasizes the integration of faith and reason across all disciplines. Campus life revolves around daily Mass, Eucharistic adoration, and vibrant Catholic traditions. The university's athletic teams, the Gyrenes, compete in NAIA sports. Recent campus additions include the Canizaro Library and the Bob Thomas Athletic Center. Ave Maria's location in Southwest Florida provides opportunities for ecological research and outdoor activities. The university's commitment to orthodox Catholic education and its beautiful, purpose-built campus make it a distinctive choice for students seeking faith-based higher education in a warm climate.
Ave Maria University Acceptance Rate
Ave Maria University admits roughly 44.8% of its applicant pool, keeping it competitive without being out of reach for a solid student.
What AMU Admissions Looks For
- Solid, Not Perfect: A GPA trending upward matters more than one that's flat.
- Holistic Read: Recommendations and community involvement carry real weight here.
Selectivity at a Glance
Selective
Selectivity scale: Selective — 44.8% acceptance rate
Most Selective (0%)Open Enrollment (100%)
A GPA a bit under the average isn't disqualifying at this tier. A solid test score or clear leadership record can offset it.
Recommended Academic Profile
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.60 – 4.00
Target Match
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.40 – 3.59
Competitive Reach
Focus on Score Compensation
Below 3.15
Secondary Reach
Requires Contextual Support
Source: IPEDS & College Scorecard (Nov 2025).
Ave Maria University Application Deadlines & Admission Dates 2026
Mark November 1 for Ave Maria University (Early Action I — other plans are listed below), with decisions typically out by November 15.
Key Admission Dates
⏳ 81 days left — Early Action I
Early Action I
November 1
Decision by: November 15
Early Action II
January 15
Decision by: January 31
Regular Decision
March 1
Decision by: March 15
💡 The scholarship deadline (March 1, 2026) often falls before the regular admission deadline. Submit your application and FAFSA early to be considered for maximum aid.
Deadlines are verified from official institutional sources but may change each cycle. Always confirm final dates on the official website.
AMU GPA Requirement
The average GPA of admitted students at AMU is 3.6. That makes admissions here highly selective. Most admitted students carry mostly A's with the occasional B.
Between 3.30 and 3.6? A strong standardized test score is worth prioritizing.
Note the scale: this figure reflects an unweighted 4.0 GPA. Add AP or IB coursework and the equivalent weighted GPA usually lands around 3.80–4.00.AMU GPA & Admission Outlook
Assessment: Selective, with solid academic performance as the expectation.
Recommended Strategy: A clear, defined strength in one activity or research area matters more than breadth.
This range is a rough map. Where you land determines what else needs to carry weight in your application.:
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.60 – 4.00
Target/Match
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.40 – 3.59
Competitive Match
Focus on SAT/ACT Compensation
3.20 – 3.39
Secondary Reach
Personal Statement & Impact
Below 3.19
Institutional Reach
Requires Significant Contextual Factors
Evaluation Metrics That Matter Here
- Founded by Domino's Pizza founder Tom Monaghan; Catholic liberal arts university in Ave Maria, FL.
- Test-optional; Early Action Nov 1, Regular Decision Feb 1, rolling thereafter.
- Perpetual adoration chapel in the library; a chapel in every dorm.
- Full-ride scholarship tier requires ~3.7 GPA, SAT 1360+/ACT 30+, interview, and essay (Dec 1 deadline).
- Rigor Over Raw Number: Course rigor is read alongside the number itself. A 3.8 with a demanding schedule can beat a 4.0 without one.
- Trajectory Matters: Grades that climb toward graduation tend to matter more than a flat average. The trajectory tells its own story.
Data verified via IPEDS, College Scorecard (Nov 2025) and the Common Data Set (CDS). Expert Review led by Sohaib Khan and Dr. Waseem.
Check Your Admission Chances at AMU
Admission Chance Predictor
Built from Ave Maria University's own verified admissions data — adjust the sliders below
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Calculating Profile...
Adjust the sliders to see how every decimal point affects your outcome.
Your SAT Score 1200
Your Unweighted GPA 3.00
✅ Verified Data: Institutional records for 2026.
Calculated via College Portal's Human-Intelligence (HI) Methodology & Editorial Standards. Verified by Sohaib Ahmad Khan.
Ave Maria University (AMU) Test Requirements
Scores aren't just a formality at AMU. Landing within or above the 2026 admitted class's middle 50% keeps you fully competitive, even where submission is optional.
Can I Get Into AMU Without SAT or ACT?
AMU neither requires nor recommends test scores. Submit yours only if it's above the state or national average. Otherwise, leaving it off works in your favor.
Ave Maria University Average SAT Score: 1129
Admitted students at Ave Maria University average a 1129 SAT (out of 1600).
SAT Competitiveness
SAT 1129 — Less Competitive
A 1129 average leaves meaningful room above it for a competitive application.
Key Insight: Aim for the 75th percentile (1159 SAT) to stand out. Below average? Ave Maria University allows Score Choice for the SAT, so a retake only helps — a low sitting never has to be sent.
Scored under 1089? A retake is worth it at AMU. Two or three sittings is standard for competitive applicants, and there's no cap on how many times you can test.
SAT Scores Breakdown by Sections
| Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| SAT Math | - | - | - |
| SAT Reading | - | - | - |
| SAT Composite | 1129 | 1089 | 1159 |
A score under 1089 puts you in the lower quarter of admits; 1159+ puts you ahead of three-quarters of the admitted class. (These percentiles mark where a given share of the admitted class scored at or below.)
View list of all colleges with average SAT score of 1150
Can I get into Ave Maria University (AMU) with a 1150 SAT?
At 1150, your SAT is squarely in AMU's favor. That said, admissions staff read the full file. GPA, activities, and essays still carry real weight even with a strong score in hand.
Your 2026 Admissions Roadmap for AMU
Selective Strategy: Competitive Positioning
Competitive positioning at AMU means clearing the academic bar comfortably, then using the rest of your application to show genuine fit.
Apply Early Action by Nov 1 for the strongest scholarship shot
Early Action (non-binding) by November 1 has historically carried higher admit rates than Regular Decision (Feb 1). If AMU is a serious option, prioritize the Nov 1 deadline rather than defaulting to rolling admission later.
Target the full-ride Board of Regents-tier scholarship deliberately if you qualify
The top scholarship tier requires roughly a 3.7+ GPA, SAT 1360+/ACT 30+, plus an interview and essay, with a December 1 deadline. If your numbers are close, treat the essay and interview prep as seriously as you would test prep, since this tier is genuinely competitive within an otherwise moderately selective school.
Know about the Brilliant Jewel Scholarship if you're Eastern Rite Catholic
This scholarship specifically serves Eastern Rite Catholics (GPA 3.2+, ACT 24+/SAT 1180+). If this applies to you, mention it explicitly in your application rather than assuming general Catholic-affiliation scholarships cover it.
Reference AMU's distinctive campus features authentically if faith life matters to your decision
Every dorm has its own chapel, and the library houses a perpetual adoration chapel - genuinely unusual even among Catholic universities. If sacramental life is central to why you're applying, name these specific features rather than generic "faith-based community" language.
Expert Insight:
AMU was founded by Domino's Pizza founder Tom Monaghan with an ambitious original goal of 5,000 students and Division I athletics; actual enrollment has landed well short of that vision (around 20% of the original target as of recent years). Don't assume campus scale or athletics matches the founding pitch - verify current enrollment and D-II/NAIA athletic status directly.
AMU Profile
Full Name
Ave Maria University (AMU)
City
Ave Maria
State
Florida
ZIP Code
34142-9505
Type
Non-Profit Private
Campus
Branch Campus
Official Website
Accredited By
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCC)
Is a AMU Degree Worth It?
At $43,220/year against a $49,520 median graduate salary, AMU is worth weighing against your specific program and financial situation. The numbers below give you a real basis for that decision.
Admitted students' families report a median household income around $72,600, and graduates see a 2.83% unemployment rate.
How much does a degree from AMU Cost?
Listed tuition runs $43,220/year at AMU. Factor in Pell and federal grant aid, and most students land typically much lower.
At AMU, 23.2% receive a Pell Grant and 50% carry federal loans. Filing FAFSA early and naming AMU on it improves your shot at both.
How much does a AMU Graduate earn?
Ten years out from enrollment, AMU graduates report a median income of $49,520, about 22% above the U.S. median graduate income.
Compare Similar Colleges
Less Competitive Schools
These schools have lower average SAT or ACT scores than Ave Maria University. If your SAT or ACT score is slightly lower, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Auburn University at Montgomery | Montgomery, AL | 1090 | 21 |
| University of South Alabama | Mobile, AL | 1119 | 23 |
| Spring Hill College | Mobile, AL | 1090 | 22 |
| Troy University | Troy, AL | 1086 | 22 |
| Grand Canyon University | Phoenix, AZ | 1095 | 22 |
| Arkansas State University | Jonesboro, AR | 1119 | 22 |
| University of Central Arkansas | Conway, AR | 1117 | 22 |
| University of the Ozarks | Clarksville, AR | 1088 | 21 |
| University of La Verne | La Verne, CA | 1116 | 22 |
| Pacific Union College | Angwin, CA | 1093 | 22 |
Equally Competitive Schools
These schools have the same range of average SAT or ACT scores as Ave Maria University. If your SAT or ACT score is competitive, you'll be competitive for these schools also.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of South Alabama | Mobile, AL | 1119 | 23 |
| Tuskegee University | Tuskegee, AL | 1121 | 22 |
| Arkansas State University | Jonesboro, AR | 1119 | 22 |
| University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus | Denver, CO | 1119 | 24 |
| Western Colorado University | Gunnison, CO | 1130 | 25 |
More Competitive Schools
These schools have higher average SAT or ACT scores than Ave Maria University. If you improve your SAT or ACT score, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Birmingham-Southern College | Birmingham, AL | 1197 | 24 |
| Samford University | Birmingham, AL | 1203 | 26 |
| University of Arkansas | Fayetteville, AR | 1174 | 25 |
| Harding University | Searcy, AR | 1187 | 25 |
| Dominican University of California | San Rafael, CA | 1194 | 26 |
Degree Programs at AMU
Bachelor Degree Programs
Frequently Asked Questions About AMU Admissions
Ave Maria University graduates earn a lower median salary of $49,520/year, especially outside technical fields.
Tuition at Ave Maria University is moderate, around $43,220/year; many students supplement with aid.
23.2% receive a Pell Grant here, below the ~35% national average. Ave Maria University skews toward higher-income students, though merit aid may still be worth checking.
Ave Maria University's acceptance rate is 44.8%, comparatively higher than most selective universities. Admission is more attainable here.
The average GPA of admitted Ave Maria University students is 3.6, reflecting a competitive applicant pool.
There's no strict cutoff, but a GPA at or above 3.3 puts you in the standard applicant pool at Ave Maria University. Below that, your essays and recommendations need to work harder to provide context.
A GPA of 3.2 or below makes admission tougher at Ave Maria University, but strong test scores, activities, and essays, plus AP/IB coursework, can still keep you in contention.
Ave Maria University weighs the SAT heavily. Scoring above 1129, and within the 1089–1159 range, keeps you competitive.
Ave Maria University's deadline is November 1 (Early Action I), with decisions out by November 15.
For priority financial aid consideration, get your FAFSA in before March 1, 2026. That's Ave Maria University's scholarship priority date.
Transferring in is a well-trodden path here. Line up your transcripts, recommendations, and a strong personal statement before applying.
The biggest levers are academic performance, a clear extracurricular focus, and essays that stand out, plus a solid test score where the school considers one.