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

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania · Public · Open access · CDS 2024-2025

Acceptance rate
83%
40,817 applicants
Avg SAT
1250
Mid 50: 1130–1358
In-state tuition
$22,082
per year, before aid
Net price (avg)
$29,219
after aid, what families pay

Villanova University is a public institution located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. For the most recent reporting cycle, Villanova University admits the majority of qualified applicants, with an overall admission rate of 83%. The average net price after grants and scholarships is $29,219 per year, which is the figure most families actually pay rather than the published sticker price. For parents weighing whether Villanova University is realistic for their teenager, the most useful planning step is comparing your child's current GPA and most recent SAT or ACT against these admitted-student ranges — not the headline acceptance rate alone.

What GPA does my child need for Villanova University?

Villanova University has a broadly accessible admissions profile, and most students who complete a standard college-prep curriculum with a 3.0 GPA or higher are competitive for admission. Parents tracking their child's GPA toward this tier of school can use Solyo's free calculator to see weighted, unweighted, and college-recalculated numbers side by side.

Actual GPA distribution of admitted students
4.00
17.2%
3.75–3.99
15.2%
3.50–3.74
15.9%
3.25–3.49
15.5%
3.00–3.24
14.4%
2.50–2.99
20.6%
Below 2.50
1.2%
From the 2024-2025 Common Data Set submitted by Villanova University.

What does Villanova University weight in admissions?

Villanova University reports the following factor importance in its Common Data Set (2024-2025). These are the criteria the admissions committee weighs when reviewing applications.

Very Important2 factors
  • Rigor of secondary school record
  • Academic GPA
Considered13 factors
  • Standardized test scores
  • Application essay
  • Recommendations
  • Extracurricular activities
  • Talent/ability
  • Character/personal qualities
  • First generation status
  • Alumni/ae relation
  • Geographical residence
  • State residency
  • Volunteer work
  • Work experience
  • Level of applicant's interest
Not Considered3 factors
  • Class rank
  • Interview
  • Religious affiliation/commitment

SAT and ACT scores Villanova University typically admits

Many applicants to schools in this tier submit test scores, though the policy varies by year — check the latest test-optional status before deciding.

SAT Composite
25th percentile1130
50th percentile1250
75th percentile1358
% submitting SAT17.7%
ACT Composite
25th percentile24
50th percentile29
75th percentile31
% submitting ACT1.9%
Current testing policy
  • Test-optional: Standardized test scores are not required, but may be submitted and considered.
  • • Policy detail: Considered if submitted

How much does Villanova University actually cost?

Published tuition is $22,082 for in-state students and $37,462 for out-of-state, before grants and scholarships. Room and board adds roughly $16,968 annually. After need-based and merit aid, the average family pays a net price of $29,219 per year — the number that actually matters for budgeting. Roughly 30% of students receive Pell Grants, a useful indicator of how much need-based aid the school distributes.

In-state tuition
Room and board
Average net price (after aid)$29,219
Application fee$55 (waivers available)

Application deadlines and early decision data for Villanova University

Regular admission
Regular deadlineFebruary 1
Notification date4 - 8 weeks after application
Reply deadlineMay 1
Early admission
Offers Early ActionYes
EA deadlineNovember 1

Will my child graduate from Villanova University?

Retention and graduation rates are the most overlooked numbers in college planning, but they predict actual outcomes far better than acceptance rate. They tell you whether admitted students stay and finish on time.

Freshman retention
83%
returned for sophomore year
4-year graduation
59.18%
finished on time
6-year graduation
75%
finished within 6 years

Other colleges in Pennsylvania parents ask about

How parents track GPA toward selective schools like Villanova University

Solyo helps parents track grades pulled directly from school emails, calculate GPA the same way colleges like Villanova University recalculate it, and ask an AI college counselor specific questions about their teen's odds. The platform is built for parents — not students — and turns what's usually a fragmented planning process into a single dashboard.

Common questions parents ask about Villanova University

What GPA do I need for Villanova University?

Villanova University has a broadly accessible admissions profile, and most students who complete a standard college-prep curriculum with a 3.0 GPA or higher are competitive for admission.

What SAT or ACT score does Villanova University typically admit?

Villanova University does not publish standardized test ranges in the most recent reporting cycle. Test-optional policies have made scores less universally required, but submitting strong scores still helps when available.

How much does Villanova University actually cost after financial aid?

The average net price at Villanova University after grants and scholarships is $29,219 per year. That figure is more useful for budgeting than the published sticker price, because it reflects what families actually pay after aid is applied.

Is Villanova University realistic for my child?

Compare your teen's current unweighted GPA and most recent SAT or ACT against the ranges above. If both numbers fall inside the school's middle-50, Villanova University is a target school. If both fall below the 25th-percentile mark, treat it as a reach and balance the application list accordingly.

Data sourced from the 2024-2025 Common Data Set submitted by Villanova University, and the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Solyo extracts admissions data from official Common Data Set publications and refreshes it annually.