


Courtesy of Avila University
Avila University is a private university in Kansas City, Missouri, founded in 1916 by the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet. It began as St. Teresa College, a college for women, and later became coeducational.
The institution adopted the name Avila College, moved to its present south Kansas City campus in the 1960s, and became Avila University in 2002. Its history helps explain the continuing place of Catholic identity, service, and liberal arts study alongside professional programs.
Avila offers undergraduate and graduate study across the liberal arts, business, education, health professions, and social sciences. Prospective students can explore fields such as nursing, psychology, biology, business, communication, social work, and teacher education.
Academic requirements differ substantially by program. A student considering nursing or teacher preparation, for example, needs to look beyond general university admission to prerequisites, clinical or field placements, and any separate progression requirements. The university's academic catalog is the appropriate place to confirm a particular degree's curriculum and whether it is offered on campus, online, or in another format.
Avila University's main campus is at 11901 Wornall Road in south Kansas City, Missouri. Its setting offers access to the Kansas City metropolitan area while making transportation an important practical consideration for commuters and students arranging off-campus placements.
Most students commute rather than live on campus. First-year students may park a car on campus, but they should check current parking rules and account for travel time when comparing schedules. Kansas City International Airport serves the region; students planning flights should also budget for the trip between the airport and campus.
Avila describes its educational mission in terms of learning, service, and the values of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet. It is a Catholic institution, though students should not assume that every academic program or campus activity is religious in character.
For applicants, the mission is most relevant when considering the university's approach to general education, community engagement, and student life. Institutional statements describe priorities and aspirations; they are not, by themselves, measures of student outcomes.
Name of the institution
Avila UniversityLevel of institution
Four or more yearsControl of institution
PrivateSetting type
City: LargeInstitutional Category
Degree - granting, primarily baccalaureate or aboveInstitution size category
1,000 - 4,999Religious affiliation
Catholic (Roman Catholic Church)School type
Comprehensive higher education institutionMain student body
CoeducationalCalendar system
SemestersFoundation year
1916Avila University is institutionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, an accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Accreditation confirms that the school meets quality standards and is required for students to receive federal financial aid.
Bachelor's degree
Postbaccalaureate certificate
Master's degree
Post-master's certificateData last updated on November 5, 2026
Data sources: IPEDS 2024-25, Peterson 2026, College Scorecard 10/2026, Clery 2024 (2023-24), OpenAlex 2026
Figures on this profile come from federal and third-party datasets in the editions listed above and are refreshed periodically, so they may differ from what the institution currently reports. Confirm costs, deadlines and requirements with the school before making decisions.