Villanova University
Villanova University — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Villanova University at a Glance
Villanova University is a private Catholic research university in Villanova, Pennsylvania, United States. It was founded by the Order of Saint Augustine in 1842 and named after Saint Thomas of Villanova. The university is the oldest Catholic university in Pennsylvania and one of two Augustinian institutions of higher learning in the United States.
1842
184 years old
$1.5B
$1.47 billion (2025)
10,299
6,700 undergrad · 3,044 grad
260 acres
7
11 minors
Prestige & value signals
Identity
Is Villanova University Worth It?
Villanova University offers moderate value at $43,756/year net price. Graduates earn a median of $100,423, which is near the national average. Students should research specific program outcomes before committing.
The investment pays for itself in just 1.7 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
With a 92% graduation rate, the vast majority of students finish their degree and reach these earning outcomes.
Admission is competitive with a 27% acceptance rate, so applicants should have strong academic credentials.
How Villanova University compares to peer private nonprofit colleges of similar tier nationally
Ranked #3 of 6 on value score. Peers are matched by size, median earnings, SAT, and admission rate — not just geography.
| Rank | College | Value | Net price / yr | Median earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Lehigh University | 63 | $36,931 | $105,584 |
| #2 | Wake Forest University | 61 | $28,719 | $78,158 |
| #3 | Villanova University | 53 | $43,756 | $100,423 |
| #4 | University of Richmond | 53 | $31,309 | $76,178 |
| #5 | Bucknell University | 50 | $40,766 | $93,807 |
| #6 | Case Western Reserve University | 46 | $41,190 | $87,989 |
Peer group: private nonprofit colleges within ±60% of Villanova University's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 2 in PA.
Best Programs at Villanova University
The highest-earning program at Villanova University is Business/Managerial Economics at $83,000/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Biology, General at $24,200/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Business/Managerial Economics graduate from Villanova University earns $83,000, while a Biology, General graduate earns $24,200. That's more than a 2× difference from the same institution. Choose your program carefully — it's the single biggest lever you control.
Debt also varies by program: Business/Managerial Economics graduates carry $27,000 in median debt vs. $24,500 for Biology, General.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $43,756/yr net price × 4 years
Earnings Premium
vs. national average of $53,787/yr
Payback Period
Time to recoup the total cost through higher earnings
10-Year Net Gain
Median earnings over 10 years minus total cost of attendance
Programs & Earnings by Major
Graduate earnings data by field of study (4 years after graduation):
| Major | Earnings (4yr) | Earnings (1yr) | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Business/Managerial Economics | $83,000 | $83,000 | $27,000 |
| Computer Engineering | $72,800 | $72,800 | $26,911 |
| Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering | $72,600 | $72,600 | $26,234 |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | $68,300 | $68,300 | $25,793 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $67,800 | $67,800 | $25,000 |
| Mechanical Engineering | $67,400 | $67,400 | $26,037 |
| Real Estate | $67,100 | $67,100 | $24,900 |
| Chemical Engineering | $66,500 | $66,500 | $26,000 |
| Management Information Systems and Services | $65,900 | $65,900 | $27,000 |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General | $63,700 | $63,700 | $24,250 |
| Civil Engineering | $63,700 | $63,700 | $27,000 |
| Accounting and Related Services | $63,700 | $63,700 | $26,744 |
| International Business | $59,500 | $59,500 | $27,000 |
| Economics | $55,300 | $55,300 | $26,000 |
| Marketing | $53,500 | $53,500 | $26,000 |
| Political Science and Government | $43,500 | $43,500 | $26,966 |
| Communication and Media Studies | $42,200 | $42,200 | $26,921 |
| English Language and Literature, General | $37,600 | $37,600 | $27,000 |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | $37,400 | $37,400 | $27,000 |
| Psychology, General | $35,600 | $35,600 | $27,000 |
| Biology, General | $24,200 | $24,200 | $24,500 |
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Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- private
- Location
- Villanova, PA
- Student Body
- 6,938 students
- Admission Rate
- 27%
- Graduation Rate
- 92%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $43,756
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $100,423
- Median Student Debt
- $25,874