Ave Maria vs Liberty University

Ave Maria University and Liberty University, both rooted in strong religious affiliations, offer distinct educational experiences. Ave Maria, a Catholic university in Florida, boasts a 90% acceptance rate and a student body predominantly comprised of white students. Liberty, a Christian university in Virginia, has a higher acceptance rate of 95% and a more diverse student body. While Ave Maria excels in nursing and biology, Liberty shines in business, education, and psychology. Both universities offer competitive graduation rates, with Ave Maria at 75% and Liberty at 68%. Explore the detailed comparison table to discover more about these universities' tuition, financial aid, and other key factors that can help you make an informed decision about your higher education journey.

	Ave Maria University	Liberty University
Overview
Location	Ave Maria, Florida	Lynchburg, Virginia
Campus setting	Rural: Distant	City: Small
College type	4 year	4 year
Control/business model	Private (Non Profit)	Private (Non Profit)
Calendar system	Semester	Semester
Degrees offered	Undergraduate and Graduate	Undergraduate and Graduate
Students retention rate	76.0%	79.0%
Common app member	Yes	No
Religious affiliation	Catholic	Evangelical

Admission
Acceptance rate	64.0%	99.3%
Application fees		Undergraduate: $50 Graduate: $50
SAT range	N/A	N/A
ACT range	N/A	N/A
Students submitting SAT score
Students submitting ACT score
Total number of applicants	3,705	28,448
Total number of admissions given out	2,373	28,244
Admitted students who chose to enroll	377	5,461
Yield rate	15.9%	19.3%
Test scores (SAT/ACT)	N/A	N/A
High school GPA	Required	Required
Recommendation letters	Not required	Not required
High school transcript	Not required	Not required
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL)	Required	Required

Tuition and Fees
Sticker price	$41,977	$42,620
Average net price	$18,643	$27,891
Tuition	$23,521	$21,663
Room & board	Room/dormitory: $7,562 Meal plan: $5,528	Room/dormitory: $6,150 Meal plan: $4,560
Available payment plans	Prepaid tuition plan Tuition payment plan	Tuition payment plan

Financial Aid
Students receiving financial aid (Grants & scholarships)	100.0% Average amount $21,230	89.0% Average amount $12,431
Students receiving federal student loan	55.0% Average amount $5,696	52.0% Average amount $5,619
Students taking out private loans	9.0% Average amount $11,852	9.0% Average amount $17,351

Students and Campus
Undergraduate students	1,259 Men 45.1% Women 54.9%	47,696 Men 43.0% Women 57.0%
Graduate students	43 Men 69.8% Women 30.2%	47,013 Men 38.7% Women 61.3%
Racial/ethnic diversity	Low	Low
Out-of-state students	N/A	76.0%
International students	1.3%	0.7%
Campus local/setting	Rural: Distant	City: Small
Dormitory capacity	1,244	8,222
First year students are required to live on campus?	No	No
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from	N/A	Virginia North Carolina Pennsylvania Texas Florida

Academics
Popular study areas	Health Professions Business Theology Social Sciences Education	Education Business Health Professions Psychology Theology
Students to faculty ratio	18:1	17:1
Institutional accreditation	Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges	Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges

Outcome
Graduation rate	60.9%	62.1%
Dropout rate	39.1%	30.2%
Transferred out	N/A	5.6%
Alumni salary by major (Top 10)	Business Administration, Management and Operations (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $32,648 Year 2: $33,993 Year 3: $36,766 Biology, General (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $29,250 Year 3: $34,401 Psychology, General (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $26,800 Year 2: $30,988 Year 3: $30,767 Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $31,762 Year 2: N/A Year 3: N/A Theological and Ministerial Studies (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $31,775 Year 2: $28,598 Year 3: N/A Economics (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $48,041 Year 3: N/A	Intelligence, Command Control and Information Operations (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $84,316 Year 2: $62,012 Year 3: $91,964 Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $80,385 Year 2: $80,964 Year 3: $87,831 Computer and Information Sciences, General (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $52,657 Year 2: $68,219 Year 3: $77,205 Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $60,410 Year 2: $72,022 Year 3: $73,900 Management Information Systems and Services (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $59,556 Year 2: $51,106 Year 3: $65,313 Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $63,731 Year 2: $62,936 Year 3: $64,580 Business/Commerce, General (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $44,576 Year 2: $57,705 Year 3: $62,807 Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $60,423 Year 2: $57,714 Year 3: $62,225 Pastoral Counseling and Specialized Ministries (Graduate/Professional Certificates) Year 1: $40,885 Year 2: $56,415 Year 3: $62,169 Educational Administration and Supervision (Doctoral Degrees) Year 1: $58,240 Year 2: $59,895 Year 3: $61,052

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the primary religious affiliations of Ave Maria University and Liberty University?

Ave Maria University is a Catholic university, deeply rooted in its faith and traditions. Liberty University, on the other hand, is a non-denominational Evangelical Christian university. This difference significantly shapes the campus culture, curriculum, and student life at each institution.
How do the academic focuses of Ave Maria University and Liberty University differ?

Ave Maria University emphasizes a classical liberal arts education with a strong focus on philosophy, theology, and the humanities, alongside professional programs. Liberty University offers a broader range of programs, including strong offerings in business, technology, and pre-professional fields, with a focus on integrating faith into all disciplines.
What is the size and location of each university?

Ave Maria University is a smaller institution located in Ave Maria, Florida, a planned community centered around the university. Liberty University is a much larger university located in Lynchburg, Virginia, offering both residential and extensive online programs.
How does campus life compare between Ave Maria University and Liberty University?

Ave Maria University offers a close-knit, faith-centered community with a strong emphasis on Catholic traditions and values. Liberty University provides a more diverse campus environment with a wide range of student activities and organizations, reflecting its larger size and broader evangelical focus. Both universities offer a variety of extracurricular activities, but the specific types and emphasis differ based on their religious affiliations.
What are the key differences in the student body demographics between Ave Maria University and Liberty University?

Ave Maria University's student body is predominantly Catholic, reflecting its religious affiliation. Liberty University attracts a more diverse student body within the broader Evangelical Christian spectrum. Liberty also has a larger percentage of online students, contributing to its overall diversity.
How do the universities approach the integration of faith and learning?

At Ave Maria University, Catholic faith and intellectual tradition are integrated into all aspects of the curriculum and campus life. Liberty University emphasizes the integration of a Christian worldview into all academic disciplines, encouraging students to apply biblical principles to their chosen fields.
What types of financial aid and scholarships are available at Ave Maria University and Liberty University?

Both Ave Maria University and Liberty University offer a range of financial aid options, including federal grants and loans, as well as institutional scholarships. Specific scholarship opportunities may vary based on academic merit, financial need, and religious affiliation. It's best to check each university's financial aid website for detailed information.
What are the main differences in the campus culture and social environment?

Ave Maria University fosters a more traditional and conservative Catholic environment with a strong emphasis on community and shared faith. Liberty University offers a more diverse and active social scene with a wider range of student organizations and activities, while still maintaining a strong Christian focus. Liberty's size contributes to a more varied social experience.
How do the career services and internship opportunities compare between the two universities?

Both Ave Maria University and Liberty University offer career services to assist students with internships and job placement. Liberty University, due to its larger size and broader network, may offer a wider range of internship opportunities, particularly in fields like business and technology. Ave Maria University leverages its alumni network and location to provide opportunities in fields aligned with its academic strengths.
What are the notable academic programs offered by each university?

Ave Maria University is known for its strong programs in philosophy, theology, and classical studies. Liberty University is recognized for its programs in business, aviation, criminal justice, and online education. Both universities offer a variety of undergraduate and graduate programs across different disciplines.
What is the cost of attendance at Ave Maria University versus Liberty University?

The cost of attendance can vary depending on factors such as tuition, fees, room and board, and financial aid packages. It's recommended to visit the official websites of both Ave Maria University and Liberty University to obtain the most up-to-date information on tuition and fees, as well as to explore available financial aid and scholarship opportunities. Generally, Liberty University may have a lower overall cost due to its online programs and various financial aid initiatives.
How do the admissions requirements differ between Ave Maria University and Liberty University?

Both universities require standard application materials such as transcripts, standardized test scores (SAT/ACT), and letters of recommendation. However, Ave Maria University may place a greater emphasis on a student's commitment to Catholic values and their academic performance in humanities-related subjects. Liberty University may focus more on a student's overall academic record and their alignment with the university's Christian mission.

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