Ave Maria School of Law

Ave Maria School of Law is a Roman Catholic law school located in Naples, Florida. It has an enrollment of around 360 students. The school focuses on natural law philosophy and teaches law from a Catholic perspective. Its students and faculty are generally conservative in their political beliefs. Bernard Dobranski is the school's Dean and President, and Robert Bork and Bruce Frohnen are among its faculty. Ave Maria School of Law gets its support from Tom Monaghan, the founder of Domino's Pizza and the former owner of the Detroit Tigers. Mr. Monaghan serves as the chairman of the school's board of governors through his Ave Maria Foundation.

History

Ave Maria School of Law was founded in 1999 by a group of six individuals who left the University of Detroit Mercy School of Law following a disagreement over the invitation of a pro-choice Michigan Supreme Court justice to give the oath at the school's Red Mass. With the financial support of Thomas Monaghan, Bernard Dobranski was recruited to serve as Dean. Dobranski is a former dean of Detroit Mercy Law School.

Location

The school is located in Ann Arbor, Michigan. The Board of Governors at Ave Maria School of Law has decided to relocate the school to Ave Maria; a town built approximately 30 miles east of Naples, Florida. This move is controversial among the school's students and faculty, many of whom are opposed to it. The Law School has been ranked as a "tier 4" law school by U.S. News and World Report, the lowest possible ranking. From the community center, a large reading room was developed and activity areas repurposed to hold the collections for the law library. The campus is adjacent to Ave Maria University, a Catholic institution of higher learning founded by Tom Monaghan. The school's Ave Maria campus is located in Ave Maria, Florida. The move there was controversial among the school's students and faculty, many of whom were opposed to it.

Accreditation

Ave Maria School of Law achieved full accreditation from the American Bar Association in 2005, just five years after opening its doors. This is the shortest time frame possible. The American Bar Association Council of the Section of Legal Education and Admissions to the Bar has voted to continue Ave Maria's accreditation. It is licensed by the Commission for Independent Education, Florida Department of Education. Ave Maria School of Law is not without its critics, however. Some say that the school's curriculum is too focused on Catholic teachings and that this could make it difficult for graduates to find employment outside Catholic organizations or firms with a conservative bent. Others argue that the school's relocation to Ave Maria is nothing more than a publicity stunt and will ultimately hurt its reputation and jeopardize its accreditation.

Tuition

Choosing to study law in the United States is a major financial commitment, and Ave Maria School of Law in Naples, Florida, is no exception. Understanding the full scope of tuition and living costs can help prospective students, especially those coming from abroad, plan wisely for the investment. Below is a detailed overview of the current tuition structure, the total cost of attendance, and how those expenses break down across major categories.

For the 2025–2026 academic year, Ave Maria School of Law charges approximately US$49,500 in tuition for full-time Juris Doctor (J.D.) students, with an additional US$2,850 in mandatory fees. Tuition has been steadily increasing over recent years, rising from around US$50,750 to over US$52,000 according to several education data reports. While this figure represents the base cost of instruction, it’s important to remember that most students don’t pay the full “sticker price.” Around two-thirds of full-time students receive scholarships or grants, with the average award being close to US$32,000 per year.

Despite financial aid helping to reduce the overall burden, Ave Maria’s tuition remains a substantial expense compared with similar private Catholic law schools. Students planning to finance their education through loans should consider not only the tuition but also the interest that accumulates during and after their studies. For international students or those relocating to Florida, the total cost may be higher due to travel, relocation, and visa-related expenses.

Cost of Attendance

The Cost of Attendance (COA) combines tuition, fees, and estimated living expenses to give a realistic picture of what one academic year at Ave Maria School of Law may cost. For 2025–2026, the total estimated cost is approximately US$85,000. This figure includes expenses such as housing, food, transportation, books, personal costs, and loan fees. The COA reflects a typical lifestyle for a single student living off-campus near the Naples area.

Living expenses at Ave Maria are moderate compared with those in larger metropolitan cities, but they still represent a significant financial commitment. Housing and food typically account for the largest portion of a student’s budget, followed by personal and transportation costs. Students can manage their budget more effectively by sharing accommodation, limiting discretionary spending, and carefully tracking their loan disbursements.

Ave Maria School of Law – Estimated Annual Cost of Attendance (2025–2026)

Expense Category	Estimated Annual Cost (USD)
Tuition	$49,500
Fees	$2,850
Housing & Food	$22,950
Books & Supplies	$1,700
Transportation	$1,890
Personal Expenses	$4,725
Loan Fees	$1,500
Total Estimated Cost of Attendance	$85,115

The total cost can vary slightly depending on each student’s personal circumstances and spending habits. For instance, those living with family or roommates can significantly reduce housing costs, while others may spend more on travel or personal items.

Ave Maria School of Law’s total cost of attendance stands at around US$85,000 per year, combining tuition, fees, and living expenses. While many students receive financial aid that brings the net cost down considerably, careful budgeting and early planning remain essential. Prospective students should evaluate not only the immediate cost but also long-term outcomes, such as bar passage rates, employment prospects, and potential debt repayment. A thoughtful financial strategy ensures that this investment in legal education aligns with both career goals and financial stability.

Curriculum

The curriculum at Ave Maria was developed with the help of Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia. In 1999, the school's first annual Ave Maria Lecture was delivered by Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas. Ave Maria's first class graduated in 2000. Since its founding, appreciation for the Catholic intellectual tradition has been a hallmark of Ave Maria. Ave Maria's curriculum is designed to instill in each student an understanding of the importance of natural law in solving legal problems and to provide students with the skills necessary to become effective lawyers and leaders in their communities.

Ave Maria offers a traditional three-year Juris Doctor program as well as an accelerated two-year Juris Doctor program. Ave Maria also offers a Master of Laws (LL.M.) degree in Ave Maria's unique Anglo-American Legal Tradition. The curriculum requires students to study laws, ethics, and public policy, as well as the moral foundations of law and jurisprudence. In addition to traditional legal education, the school's curriculum emphasizes how law intersects with the Catholic intellectual tradition and natural law philosophy.

Among the practice areas in which Ave Maria students receive training are elder law, immigration law, family law, labor law, and real estate law. Ave Maria's unique curriculum allows students to gain practical experience through externships and clinics in these and other areas of legal practice. Applied Critical Thinking and Legal Analysis are emphasized throughout the curriculum. Ave Maria students have the opportunity to take part in study abroad programs, which are offered in cooperation with Ave Maria University.

Student Engagement

Ave Maria Law School Students enhance their legal education with Ave Maria's many student organizations. Ave Maria has an active Moot Court program that allows students to compete against other law schools in appellate brief writing and oral advocacy. Ave Maria also offers a unique Legal Research and Writing program designed to prepare students for the rigors of law practice.

The Ave Maria Law Review is the school's flagship legal journal. The Review is a student-run publication dedicated to providing Ave Maria students with an opportunity to engage in scholarly legal writing and research. The Student Bar Association is the governing body for all Ave Maria law students. The SBA works to enhance the law school experience for Ave Maria students through programming, service, and representation. Some projects organized by SBA are a food drive for Ave Maria Soup Kitchen, Habitat for Humanity, and a blood drive. Ave Maria students also volunteered at the Guadalupe Legal Clinic, which provides free legal assistance to low-income residents of Collier County.

Ms. O'Keefe is Ave Maria's Director of Career Services. The office provides a wide range of services and resources to Ave Maria students and alumni, including resume and cover letter assistance, job search advice, on-campus interviewing, academic counseling, and employer development. She also oversees student organizations. Among the student organizations are the Phi Alpha Delta, Ave Maria Elder Law and Ave Maria Immigration Law Society, Estate Planning Association, Ave Maria Family Law Society, Veterans Law Student Association and Ave Maria Real Estate Law Society. These groups sponsor a variety of events throughout the academic year.

Employment Outcomes & Bar Passage

Ave Maria School of Law, located in Naples, Florida, reports modest employment outcomes and bar passage results compared to many other U.S. law schools. Recent data shows that roughly 67 to 68 percent of graduates pass the bar exam within one year of graduation, while the ultimate two-year pass rate for the class of 2022 was around 66 percent. Historically, the school’s first-time bar passage rate has trailed both state and national averages. While Ave Maria has made efforts to strengthen its bar preparation through professional development initiatives and bar-prep programmes, these results suggest that a significant portion of graduates face challenges in securing bar admission promptly after completing their studies. For prospective students aiming to practise law, this indicates that additional self-directed preparation and early planning for the bar exam are critical.

In terms of employment outcomes, approximately 78 percent of graduates from a recent class were employed within ten months of graduation. Of those, around 63 percent secured full-time, long-term positions that required bar passage, while about 10 percent obtained J.D. advantage roles—positions that benefit from a law degree but do not require a licence to practise law. Nearly half of the employed graduates entered law firms, with smaller shares working in government, business, or public interest sectors. These figures show that while most graduates do find employment, not all enter traditional legal practice, and a portion pursue alternative careers. The school’s employment rate is reasonable but suggests that graduates need to be proactive in building networks, gaining internships, and leveraging the school’s regional connections to strengthen job prospects, especially in Florida’s legal market.

Overall, Ave Maria School of Law’s bar passage and employment statistics indicate steady, if modest, performance. The data implies that the school offers opportunities for determined students who are ready to put in extra effort both in bar exam preparation and in job placement. Those drawn to the school’s faith-based mission or close-knit community may find the environment supportive, but they should also approach their studies with clear professional goals and a strong commitment to overcoming the competitive realities of the legal job market.

Contact information

Ave Maria School of Law
Office of JD Admissions
1025 Commons Circle
Naples, FL 34119
(734) 827-8063
Email: info@avemarialaw.edu
Website: www.avemarialaw.edu

Summary

Established	1999
School type	Private
Location	Naples, Florida
Endowment	$1.45 million (2020)
Dean	John M. Czarnetzky
Entering Class	119 (2024)
Faculty	22 full time
USNWR ranking	(unranked)
Bar pass rate	67.7% (2025)
Acceptance rate	53% (2025)
Median LSAT score	153 (2025)
Cost	$50,750

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References

LSD Law
Ranked 153
Guide to Fee Waivers
LSAC Guide
How to Learn to Do Well on a Law School Exam
Success in Law School - A Unique Perspective
The Guide to Law School Loans