Avila University

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.