Villanova University is a private Catholic research university located in Villanova, Pennsylvania, United States. It was founded by the Augustinians in 1842 and named after Saint Thomas of Villanova. Villanova is the oldest Catholic university in Pennsylvania and one of two Augustinian institutions of higher learning in the United States (the other being Merrimack College).
Villanova is a highly ranked university, with a reputation for academic excellence and rigorous coursework. It offers a variety of undergraduate and graduate programs in the liberal arts, sciences, business, engineering, nursing, and law. Villanova is also known for its strong sense of community and its commitment to service to others.
Courses, Fees, Eligibility
| Course | Fees | Eligibility |
|---|---|---|
| Bachelor of Arts in Accounting | $75,600 | High school diploma or equivalent, with a GPA of 3.0 or higher |
| Bachelor of Science in Business Administration | $75,600 | High school diploma or equivalent, with a GPA of 3.0 or higher |
| Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering | $75,600 | High school diploma or equivalent, with a GPA of 3.2 or higher, and strong performance in math and science courses |
| Bachelor of Science in Computer Engineering | $75,600 | High school diploma or equivalent, with a GPA of 3.2 or higher, and strong performance in math and science courses |
| Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering | $75,600 | High school diploma or equivalent, with a GPA of 3.2 or higher, and strong performance in math and science courses |
| Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering | $75,600 | High school diploma or equivalent, with a GPA of 3.2 or higher, and strong performance in math and science courses |
| Bachelor of Science in Nursing | $75,600 | High school diploma or equivalent, with a GPA of 3.3 or higher, and strong performance in math and science courses |
| Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy | $75,600 | High school diploma or equivalent, with a GPA of 3.4 or higher, and strong performance in math and science courses |
| Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy | $75,600 | High school diploma or equivalent, with a GPA of 3.0 or higher |
| Bachelor of Arts in Political Science | $75,600 | High school diploma or equivalent, with a GPA of 3.0 or higher |
| Bachelor of Arts in Psychology | $75,600 | High school diploma or equivalent, with a GPA of 3.0 or higher |
| Bachelor of Arts in Theology | $75,600 | High school diploma or equivalent, with a GPA of 3.0 or higher |
University Ranking
Villanova is also ranked highly in a number of other rankings, including:
- #91 in Best Value Schools (U.S. News & World Report, 2024)
- #105 in Best Undergraduate Engineering Programs (tie) (U.S. News & World Report, 2024)
- #23 in Nursing (tie) (U.S. News & World Report, 2024)
- #126 in Economics (tie) (U.S. News & World Report, 2024)
- #22 in Service Learning (tie) (U.S. News & World Report, 2024)
- #102 in Best Colleges for Veterans (tie) (U.S. News & World Report, 2024)
- #342 in Top Performers on Social Mobility (tie) (U.S. News & World Report, 2024)
Important Dates
Fall Semester 2023
- August 21: Move-in for new students
- August 22: Move-in for returning students
- August 23: Classes begin
- August 25: Labor Day (no classes)
- October 9-13: Fall Break
- November 23-27: Thanksgiving Break
- December 12: Last day of classes
- December 13-15: Final exams
Spring Semester 2024
- January 16: Classes begin
- January 20: Martin Luther King, Jr. Day (no classes)
- February 17-21: President’s Day Break
- March 29-April 7: Spring Break
- May 6: Last day of classes
- May 7-10: Final exams
- May 11: Commencement
Admission Process
- Complete the Common Application. Villanova is a member of the Common Application, so you can use this single application to apply to multiple colleges and universities.
- Submit the Villanova Member School Section. This section includes Villanova-specific writing supplements, as well as questions about your academic interests and extracurricular activities.
- Request an official transcript from your high school. Your transcript should be sent directly to Villanova.
- Ask two teachers to submit letters of recommendation. Your recommenders should be able to speak to your academic abilities, character, and potential for success in college.
- Submit your application fee. The application fee is $50, but fee waivers are available for qualified students.
- Optional: Submit standardized test scores. Villanova is test-optional, so you do not have to submit standardized test scores if you do not want to. However, if you do submit scores, they will be considered as part of your application.
Cut Offs
| Course | Cut-off |
|---|---|
| ACT Composite | 30-33 |
| SAT Total | 1360-1480 |
| High School GPA | 3.5-4.0 |
| Average High School GPA | 3.8 |
| Acceptance Rate | 25.2% |
Placement
- Villanova University has a very strong placement record. In 2021, 98.9% of Villanova graduates were employed or enrolled in graduate school within six months of graduation. The top job functions for Villanova graduates are finance, consulting, engineering, healthcare services, and accounting.
Some of the top companies that hire Villanova graduates include:
- Accenture
- AllianceBernstein
- Goldman Sachs
2. Villanova has a strong Career Center that helps students prepare for and find jobs and internships. The Career Center offers a variety of services, including resume and cover letter review, mock interviews, and networking events. The Career Center also has a large database of job and internship opportunities that students can access.
Here are some tips for Villanova students who are looking to improve their placement chances:
- Get involved in extracurricular activities and internships. This is a great way to gain experience and skills that will make you more attractive to employers.
- Attend career fairs and networking events. This is a great way to meet with representatives from potential employers and learn more about their job openings.
- Build relationships with your professors and mentors. They can write you letters of recommendation and help you connect with potential employers.
- Take advantage of the resources offered by the Career Center. The Career Center staff can help you with everything from writing your resume to preparing for interviews.
Scholarships
- Presidential Scholarship: This is a full-tuition scholarship awarded to a select number of incoming freshmen who demonstrate exceptional academic achievement, leadership potential, and a commitment to service.
- Villanova National Merit Scholarship: This scholarship is awarded to National Merit Scholarship Corporation finalists who select Villanova as their first-choice college. The amount of the scholarship varies depending on the student’s National Merit standing.
- St. Martin de Porres Scholarship: This scholarship is awarded to incoming freshmen who demonstrate a commitment to diversity and inclusion. The scholarship covers the full cost of tuition and general fees.
- Villanova Alumni Scholarship: This scholarship is awarded to incoming freshmen who are children or grandchildren of Villanova alumni. The amount of the scholarship varies depending on the student’s financial need.
- Villanova Grant: This is a need-based grant awarded to students who demonstrate financial need. The amount of the grant varies depending on the student’s financial situation.
Notable Alumni
- John J. Byrne (Class of 1969): Former Speaker of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives
- Kevin J. Coyne (Class of 1973): Former President and CEO of Merck & Co.
- Joseph A. Flacco (Class of 2008): American football quarterback for the New York Jets
- James J. Heckman (Class of 1965): Nobel Prize-winning economist
- John P. Kelly (Class of 1947): Former President and CEO of United Parcel Service (UPS)
- Patrick J. Kennedy (Class of 1983): Former U.S. Congressman from Rhode Island
- J. William Marriott Jr. (Class of 1968): Chairman and CEO of Marriott International
- Jay Wright (Class of 1983): Former Head Coach of the Villanova Wildcats men’s basketball team
FAQs?
Villanova is a highly ranked university, with a reputation for academic excellence and rigorous coursework. It is consistently ranked among the top 100 universities in the United States by U.S. News & World Report.
Villanova has a vibrant and welcoming campus culture. Students are involved in a wide variety of extracurricular activities, including athletics, clubs, and student government. Villanova is also known for its strong sense of community and its commitment to service to others.
Villanova is a highly selective institution, with an acceptance rate of just 25.2% for the Fall 2023 semester. The average SAT score for admitted students is 660-730 in Reading and Writing and 690-760 in Math. Villanova also considers other factors such as GPA, extracurricular activities, and essays.
