I don't know much about Ave Maria, but I'm in at Miami and visited last week, so I will give you info on them what I know:
Pretty mean grade curve - the 3L student I spoke with told me the average is C+. This can restrict the prospect of getting paid 1L summer employments - the paid ones falling to the top 7-10% or thereabouts. But she also said that it's not that difficult to find unpaid jobs, and it seems most people find some kind of work during the summer.
If you want to work out-of-state after graduation, it is better to find 1L summer work in that place - although that can be slightly difficult without the right network - as a lot of people end up working at their summer employment place upon graduation. Generally, not a lot of firms from out-of-state will come to the campus for recruiting, because of the costs and yield (most people end up practicing in FL).
Cost of living - generally quite expensive. This student room-shares with a fellow student quite far from the campus and pays a reasonable $600($1200 for 2). But the traffic can be a problem if you have an early class. And on-campus parking is limited, so you park at a different parking garage and take the school bus from there (a 5 minute ride to the LS).
Sat in on a Criminal Procedure class, professor employed a softer Socratic method, and most of the students were prepared when called upon. Atmosphere generally relaxed. Lots of student interaction going on at the "Bricks" (courtyard where students hang around during the break).
Overall impression - good place to spend 3 years of studying, especially if you want to stay in the area after graduation. But be aware that it will be expensive. I'm out-of-state and not wholly convinced of practicing in FL, so I'm keeping my options open for the moment.
And if you are attending the Admitted Students' Day later this month (I'm not), you will obviously learn more.
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