Ave Maria School of Law

Ave Maria School of Law is a private nonprofit Catholic law school in Naples, Florida. Its central degree is the 90-credit Juris Doctor (JD), taught through a full-time program that combines doctrinal courses with clinics, externships, moot court, trial advocacy and other practical work. The school’s Catholic intellectual tradition and natural-law perspective shape its stated approach to legal education; applicants should consider whether that educational framework suits them as well as whether the JD fits their career plans. The school reports an 89.8% first-time Florida Bar passage rate for the July 2026 examination, but individual results vary by cohort and jurisdiction.

JD study and practical experience

Ave Maria Law offers a single professional degree rather than a broad catalog of undergraduate majors. Students can explore areas including business law, public interest, constitutional law and litigation through upper-level courses, student organizations and practical placements. The school highlights clinics and externships that let students work with real clients or legal organizations under supervision, along with moot court and trial advocacy. Applicants should ask how often seats are available in the clinics they want, where externships are placed, and whether a specific experience counts toward bar-related skills requirements. The academic program and experiential learning pages outline the curriculum and opportunities.

The JD program is approved by the American Bar Association, and Florida’s Commission for Independent Education lists the law school as licensed by means of accreditation. ABA approval supports bar-exam eligibility in most U.S. jurisdictions, but each state sets its own rules; verify requirements with the bar where you plan to practice. The school’s headline Florida bar-passage figure is useful context, but compare it with the ABA disclosures for multiple years and with the outcomes of students whose academic profile and study path resemble yours.

2026–27 tuition and scholarships

For entering first-year students in 2026–27, Ave Maria Law lists $50,900 in tuition and $2,850 in fees. Its estimated nine-month cost of attendance is $86,515 after adding housing and food, books, transportation, personal expenses and average loan fees. Actual living costs in Naples may be higher or lower, and summer enrollment has a separate per-credit rate. Use the school’s current financial-aid and cost-of-attendance information to compare the full JD cost rather than tuition alone.

All admitted applicants are automatically considered for merit scholarships based on academic achievement, undergraduate work and LSAT results; no separate scholarship application is required for those awards. The law school reports that more than 80% of incoming first-year students receive scholarships, and lists awards that can range from $15,000–$30,000 to full tuition for specific academic or eligibility profiles. Some named awards have Catholic-identity criteria, and renewal rules can depend on law-school grades. Before accepting an offer, request the award’s renewal conditions and compare the scholarship against the full three-year cost. Eligible students may apply for federal student loans through FAFSA (school code G36914); the admissions application is also the institutional scholarship application. The scholarship page describes awards and criteria.

Applying and visiting the Naples campus

The school accepts applications through the Law School Admission Council (LSAC), with deadlines that differ by term. Applicants can request a campus visit through admissions and ask about the Summer Start option, which introduces a lighter first-term course load. Compare the most recent ABA Standard 509 report for class size, admission ranges, attrition, bar passage, employment and scholarship retention before deciding where to enroll. Start with the official admissions page and check the current LSAC deadlines there.

The main campus is 1025 Commons Circle, Naples, FL 34119; the central telephone number is (239) 687-5300 and admissions can be reached at admissions@avemarialaw.edu. The school also identifies separate buildings for administration, housing, the library and student services around the Commons and Vineyards area; these are facilities of the Naples campus, not separate branches. A general public-hours schedule is not posted with the address, so arrange a campus tour or call the office before traveling. The school’s directions and visit information gives local building guidance.

What students say

Comments gathered by Princeton Review describe a close-knit student community and relationships with professors, while some reviewers say Naples can feel isolated and offers fewer off-campus options for young adults. Those impressions are personal and can depend on a student’s lifestyle and housing. Ask current students how they balance the intensive JD workload with community life, and speak with graduates about externships and job searches outside Southwest Florida. For a broader view, read the Princeton Review student comments alongside the school’s published ABA outcomes.

Ave Maria Law may fit students looking for a small Catholic law-school community, faculty access and hands-on legal training in Southwest Florida. The most useful comparison is the actual net cost after scholarship, the scholarship’s renewal terms, recent bar and employment outcomes, clinic access and the location’s fit for your day-to-day life. Confirm those details in writing before accepting an offer.