Villanova University: A Parent's Guide to Admissions, Cost & Outcomes

Villanova, Pennsylvania · Private nonprofit · Selective · CDS 2024-2025

Acceptance rate
27%
23,256 applicants
Median SAT
1450
Mid 50: 1410–1490
In-state tuition
$67,776
per year, before aid
Net price (avg)
$43,756
after aid, what families pay
Is Villanova University a reach, target or safety for your student?Check your chances free

Or open Villanova University in College Search to compare programs, costs and outcomes side by side.

Quick answer

Villanova University is a private nonprofit university in Villanova, Pennsylvania that admits about 27% of applicants, making it a selective school. The average family pays about $43,756 a year after financial aid, which matters more than the published sticker price. It is best known for Finance and Financial Management Services, Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing and Communication and Media Studies, its largest undergraduate programs by number of graduates. About 92% of students graduate within six years. Its most recent Clery Act report shows roughly 1.6 criminal offenses per 1,000 students.

Villanova University is a private institution located in Villanova, Pennsylvania with a selective admissions profile. For the most recent reporting cycle, Villanova University admits between a quarter and half of applicants, with an overall admission rate of 27%. Admitted students typically post a median SAT of 1450 and an ACT composite around 33. The average net price after grants and scholarships is $43,756 per year, which is the figure most families actually pay rather than the published sticker price.

What GPA does my child need for Villanova University?

82% of enrolled students at Villanova University had a high school GPA of 3.75 or above, and the average was 3.93, according to its 2024-2025 Common Data Set.

Actual GPA distribution of admitted students
4.00
41.0%
3.75–3.99
41.0%
3.50–3.74
15.0%
3.25–3.49
3.0%
3.00–3.24
1.0%
From the 2024-2025 Common Data Set submitted by Villanova University.

What does Villanova University weight in admissions?

Villanova University reports these factor weights in its Common Data Set (2024-2025). What the weights mean

Very Important3 factors
  • Rigor of secondary school record
  • Academic GPA
  • Application essay
Important5 factors
  • Recommendations
  • Extracurricular activities
  • Talent/ability
  • Character/personal qualities
  • Volunteer work

SAT and ACT scores Villanova University typically admits

The middle-50 SAT Math range is 710–770, with an EBRW midpoint near 695. The middle-50 ACT composite range is 32–34. Scores below the 25th-percentile mark are accepted occasionally, but the realistic submission target for most families is the school's middle-50 floor or higher.

SAT Composite
25th percentile1410
50th percentile1450
75th percentile1490
% submitting SAT19%
ACT Composite
25th percentile32
50th percentile33
75th percentile34
% submitting ACT9%
Current testing policy
  • Test-optional: Standardized test scores are not required, but may be submitted and considered.
  • • Policy detail: Considered if submitted

Where admitted students ranked in their high school class

Class rank distribution gives parents a clear sense of how academically dominant a typical admitted student was within their own high school cohort — often a more meaningful signal than absolute GPA.

Top 10% of class75.85%
Top 25% of class92.61%
Top 50% of class96.88%
% submitting class rank20.23%

How much does Villanova University actually cost?

Published tuition is $67,776 for in-state students and $67,776 for out-of-state, before grants and scholarships. Room and board adds roughly $17,694 annually. After need-based and merit aid, the average family pays a net price of $43,756 per year — the number that actually matters for budgeting. Roughly 12% of students receive Pell Grants.

In-state tuition$69,846
Room and board$18,520
Average net price (after aid)$43,756
Application fee$80 (waivers available)

Application deadlines and early decision data for Villanova University

Regular admission
Regular deadline15-Jan
Notification date1-Apr
Reply deadline1-May
Early admission
Offers Early DecisionYes
ED deadlineNovember 1
Offers Early Decision IIYes
ED II deadlineJanuary 15
ED acceptance rate (all rounds)54%
Offers Early ActionYes
EA deadlineNovember 1

Will my child graduate from Villanova University?

These predict outcomes at Villanova University better than its acceptance rate does. How to read retention and graduation rates

Freshman retention
95.2%
returned for sophomore year
4-year graduation
89.4%
finished on time
6-year graduation
91.9%
finished within 6 years

Most popular majors at Villanova University

The most popular undergraduate programs at Villanova University, measured by the number of students who actually graduate each year, are Finance and Financial Management Services, Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing and Communication and Media Studies. Across all programs, Villanova University confers roughly 1,190 bachelor's degrees a year. Graduates of its Finance and Financial Management Services program report a median income of about $133,548 five years after entering college. What these figures mean

MajorGraduates / yearMedian earnings (5 yrs out)
Finance and Financial Management Services231$133,548
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing220$93,510
Communication and Media Studies155$74,641
Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods140
Economics124$100,245
Accounting and Related Services109$114,801
Political Science and Government106$85,999
Psychology, General105$73,774
Bachelor's-degree completions from federal IPEDS data; earnings from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.

Is Villanova University safe? Campus crime & safety

In its most recent Clery Act report (2024), Villanova University disclosed 11 total criminal offenses across its campus and surrounding public property, about 1.6 per 1,000 students. That figure includes 1 violent offenses and 4 reported sexual assaults or VAWA offenses. Why per-1,000 rates, not counts

Total offenses
11
1.6 per 1,000 students
Violent crime
1
0.14 per 1,000
Sexual assault / VAWA
4
0.58 per 1,000
Burglary
3
reported incidents
Clery Act 2024, rates per 6,938 enrolled.

What is campus life like at Villanova University?

About 93% of undergraduates at Villanova University live in campus housing, making it a largely residential campus. In Greek life, 9% of men join a fraternity and 20% of women join a sorority. Residential rate and Greek participation shape day-to-day social life and are worth weighing alongside academics and cost.

Live on campus
93%
of undergraduates
In fraternities
9%
of men
In sororities
20%
of women
From the 2024-2025 Common Data Set submitted by Villanova University.

Other colleges in Pennsylvania parents ask about

Next steps for Villanova University

Common questions parents ask about Villanova University

What GPA do I need for Villanova University?

82% of enrolled students at Villanova University had a high school GPA of 3.75 or above, and the average was 3.93, according to its 2024-2025 Common Data Set.

What SAT or ACT score does Villanova University typically admit?

The middle-50 SAT Math range is 710–770, with an EBRW midpoint near 695. The middle-50 ACT composite range is 32–34.

How much does Villanova University actually cost after financial aid?

The average net price at Villanova University after grants and scholarships is $43,756 per year, against a published in-state tuition of $67,776. Budget against the net figure.

Is Villanova University realistic for my child?

Villanova University admits 27% of applicants, so 710–770 SAT Math is target range and below 710 is a reach. Then check the $43,756 average net price against what your family can carry.

What is the acceptance rate at Villanova University?

Villanova University accepts about 27% of applicants out of roughly 23,256 who apply each year. That makes it a selective school.

Is Villanova University test-optional?

Yes. Villanova University is test-optional, so SAT and ACT scores are not required, but strong scores can still be submitted and will be considered.

What is the graduation rate at Villanova University?

About 92% of students at Villanova University graduate within six years, and 89% finish in four years. 95% of freshmen return for sophomore year. Graduation rate predicts real outcomes better than acceptance rate.

Does applying Early Decision improve my chances at Villanova University?

Villanova University's Early Decision acceptance rate is about 54%, compared with its overall rate of 27%. Applying ED can meaningfully improve admission odds, but it is a binding commitment to enroll if accepted.

What does Villanova University look for in applicants?

Villanova University rates course rigor, GPA and the application essay as "very important" in its Common Data Set. These are the factors the admissions committee weighs most heavily when reviewing an application.

Is Villanova University a public or private school, and where is it located?

Villanova University is a private nonprofit institution located in Villanova, Pennsylvania.

What are the most popular majors at Villanova University?

The largest undergraduate majors at Villanova University by annual graduates are Finance and Financial Management Services, Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing and Communication and Media Studies. The school awards about 1,190 bachelor's degrees a year in total. These figures come from federal IPEDS completion data.

Is Villanova University safe? What is its campus crime rate?

Villanova University reported 11 total criminal offenses in its most recent Clery Act disclosure (2024), roughly 1.6 per 1,000 students. Compare the per-1,000 rate rather than the raw total, since larger schools report more incidents.

What is campus life like at Villanova University?

At Villanova University, 93% of undergraduates live on campus, 9% of men are in fraternities, 20% of women are in sororities, according to its most recent Common Data Set.

Sources: the 2024-2025 Common Data Set submitted by Villanova University, the College Scorecard and IPEDS, and Clery Act disclosures. What each source covers