Avila University

About Avila University

Avila’s institutional identity combines Catholic higher education, liberal-arts learning, professional preparation, and the service tradition of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet. The university traces its collegiate history to 1916, when St. Teresa’s College opened as a two-year institution for women. It became a four-year college in 1940, moved to its present south Kansas City campus during the 1960s, became fully coeducational in 1969, and adopted the name Avila University in 2002. Today, Avila provides undergraduate and graduate education rather than doctoral degrees. The university’s official Fall 2025 facts page reports 3,383 students, including 1,542 undergraduates and 1,841 graduate students. These figures are substantially newer than the supplied database population, so prospective students should use the official Fall 2025 figures when assessing current scale. The same page reports a 13-to-1 student-to-teacher ratio, suggesting a setting oriented toward direct faculty contact. The main campus covers approximately 50 acres in a residential area of south Kansas City. Avila also markets online and flexible study, and many graduate offerings are delivered primarily online. Avila University Arizona is an additional location of the same institution, not a separate university; applicants should verify the location and delivery format attached to any particular program. Institutional accreditation is through the Higher Learning Commission. Certain professional areas, including nursing and radiologic technology, also carry specialized accreditation or state approval. Students considering a licensed profession should confirm the exact program’s current approval and whether it satisfies requirements in the state where they intend to work.

For first-year undergraduate admission, applicants complete Avila’s application and submit high-school transcripts; GED and HiSET records are also accepted. The university requires a final transcript showing graduation before classes begin. Standardized testing is optional for applicants meeting the test-optional academic threshold. The current admissions page lists two academic routes: a 2.5 GPA combined with an ACT score of 20 or SAT score of 930, or a test-optional route based on a core GPA of at least 2.75. Avila describes undergraduate admission as rolling but asks applicants planning to begin in the fall to submit by December 15. Because “rolling” and a stated submission date appear together, applicants should treat December 15 as the published planning deadline and confirm space availability with admissions if applying later. The page recommends filing the FAFSA between October 1 and February 1 for the strongest financial-aid consideration; Avila’s federal school code is 002449. International and graduate applicants follow separate procedures. Avila’s 2026 international brochure lists undergraduate English-proficiency minimums of IELTS 5.0, TOEFL 61, Duolingo 90, or PTE 50. Graduate thresholds are higher and program-specific academic requirements also apply. International applicants must provide passport and financial-support documentation. Requirements can differ by program, degree level, delivery format, and location, so applicants should use the correct application route and obtain written confirmation of any conditional-admission pathway.

Avila offers bachelor’s and master’s education across liberal arts, sciences, health, business, education, communication, psychology, and other professional fields. Its current academics page describes more than 54 undergraduate majors, minors, and concentrations and six master’s-level graduate programs. Applicants should consult the live program directory rather than rely on broad subject tags, because availability, location, and delivery format vary. The curriculum is organized around both classroom study and applied learning. Avila states that first-year undergraduates are guaranteed an opportunity for an internship or undergraduate research experience. Research is particularly visible in the natural and applied sciences, psychology and cognitive science, and social sciences. The university also provides academic advising, library and database access, tutoring, writing assistance, and other support through its learning resources. Delivery format is an important decision point. Avila presents undergraduate options both on campus and online, while describing most graduate programs as online with some campus-based opportunities. Program pages should therefore be checked for residency expectations, synchronous participation, clinical or internship requirements, and whether the program is based in Kansas City or at the Arizona additional location. Professional accreditation matters in regulated subjects. Avila reports specialized accreditation or approval for programs including nursing and radiologic technology. Such recognition applies to the named program rather than every university offering. Prospective students preparing for licensure should verify the current curriculum, clinical-placement arrangements, and state eligibility directly with the program before enrolling.

Key Highlights

• Private nonprofit Catholic university founded in 1916
• Accredited by the Higher Learning Commission
• Official Fall 2025 enrollment: 3,383 students
• Kansas City is the main campus; Arizona is an additional location

Student Life & Environment

Campus life is shaped by a mix of residential students, commuters, athletes, and students enrolled in flexible formats. Avila identifies more than 40 student organizations and honor societies and sponsors 14 NAIA varsity sports. Students can also participate in theatre, visual arts, campus events, ministry, service activities, and recreation. Catholic identity is visible in university life, but Mass is voluntary and the university states that its ministry organization welcomes students of all faiths. Four residence halls provide several arrangements, including traditional double and triple rooms, private bedrooms within shared suites, suites with kitchenettes, and apartment-style units. The university’s current residential-life policy generally requires full-time, single first-year and second-year students under 21 to live on campus unless they reside with parents within 40 miles. International students can face separate residency rules based on their academic level and delivery format, so they should confirm the applicable requirement before making housing plans. Meal plans are available to resident and commuter students, and the university says vegetarian and gluten-free choices are regularly available, with additional dietary concerns handled through campus dining staff. Academic and personal support includes tutoring, writing assistance, counseling, health and accessibility services, international-student support, and career services. Because many students commute, Avila also provides study spaces, dining access, parking, and campus common areas for students who live off campus.

Location & Surroundings

Avila’s main address is 11901 Wornall Road in south Kansas City, Missouri. The approximately 50-acre campus sits in a residential setting rather than in the downtown core. The university describes major Kansas City attractions as roughly a 15-minute drive from campus, though actual travel times depend on traffic and destination. Kansas City gives students access to museums, performing arts, professional sports, restaurants, health-care institutions, businesses, and nonprofit organizations. That broader metropolitan setting can be useful for internships, clinical experiences, service projects, and employment exploration. Students should nevertheless evaluate transportation carefully. A residential campus outside downtown may be comfortable for those seeking a quieter setting, but travel to placements or entertainment can require advance planning. Housing is available on campus, while commuters have parking and campus study spaces. Applicants should distinguish this Kansas City record from Avila University Arizona. The Arizona operation is an additional location of Avila University with its own program mix; it is not the main Missouri campus described here. Program pages and admission documents should identify the location attached to an offer.

Costs & Career Outcomes

Avila’s tuition page is labeled for academic year 2026–2027, but parts of its traditional undergraduate table still identify Fall 2025 and Spring 2026. Those rows list annual full-time traditional undergraduate tuition of $40,540 plus a $1,000 university fee, for $41,540 in tuition and fees. Because the internal dates do not align with the page heading, students should request a 2026–2027 cost statement before committing and should not assume that every displayed traditional rate has been updated. Published 2026–2027 meal-plan prices range from $936 per academic year for a 40-meal block plan to $5,116 for 19 meals per week plus dining dollars. Housing charges depend on residence hall and room configuration and are separate from tuition. Health services, housing assessments, course or laboratory charges, books, insurance, transportation, and personal expenses may add to the total. Program pricing also varies: part-time, online, nursing, certificate, and graduate programs use different rates. International students pay the applicable program rate and must account for required health insurance and immigration-related proof-of-funds rules. Financial aid should be assessed through an individualized offer rather than headline scholarship language. Avila states that traditional first-year and transfer students receive scholarships, but award amounts and renewal conditions require confirmation. Career Services supports undergraduates, graduate students, and alumni through career exploration, résumé and cover-letter work, interview preparation, job and internship search strategy, networking, career fairs, and offer negotiation. Students can use Handshake for employment and internship listings and schedule in-person or virtual coaching. Avila also promises first-year undergraduates an internship or research opportunity, although an opportunity is not the same as guaranteed placement, compensation, or employment after graduation.