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23.4%Acceptance
$64,701Tuition
7,005Students
92%Grad Rate (6-yr)
$100,423Earnings
#3 in PennsylvaniaPrivate nonprofit4-yearSAT/ACT Test OptionalResearch UniversityNCAA Division IStudy AbroadData: 2023-24Roman Catholic
Return on Investment: Good

At $44,876/yr net price, Villanova University graduates earn $100,423/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $66,423/yr above the median for high school graduates.

Cost vs. Outcomes

Return on investment data for Villanova University
Metric Value
Average Net Price (per year) $44,876
Estimated 4-Year Cost $179,504
Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) $100,423/yr
Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma +$66,423/yr
Estimated Break-Even 2.7 years
Graduation Rate (6-year) 92.4%
Median Debt at Graduation $25,874

What You'll Actually Pay

Average net price by family income

Net price by family income for Villanova University
Family Income Estimated Net Price
$0 - $30,000 $16,914/yr
$30,001 - $48,000 $31,248/yr
$48,001 - $75,000 $25,786/yr
$75,001 - $110,000 $34,285/yr
$110,001+ $60,637/yr

Earnings by Major

Top programs ranked by median earnings

Earnings and debt by program at Villanova University
Program Level Median Earnings Median Debt
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. Master $165,766 $69,358
Business Administration, Management and Operations. Master $109,095 $40,193
Taxation. Master $100,740 $43,076
Business/Managerial Economics. Bachelor $90,856 $27,000
Finance and Financial Management Services. Master $88,198
Human Resources Management and Services. Master $80,218 $36,369
Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering. Bachelor $74,576 $27,000
Civil Engineering. Master $73,949
Finance and Financial Management Services. Bachelor $73,579 $26,000
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. Bachelor $73,052 $23,250

The Risk Factor

Completion Risk: Low Risk

92.4% of students at Villanova University graduate within 6 years. Most students who start here finish their degree.

Analysis

Villanova gives you a strong financial return. You graduate at a 92% rate with median debt under $26,000, and ten years out your earnings clear six figures. That combination of high completion and manageable debt is the safety net that makes the $44,876 sticker price defensible.

The programs that pay off here cluster in business and engineering. Business/managerial economics leads at over $90,000, with finance, electrical engineering, and computer engineering all landing in the low-to-mid $70,000s. Nursing sits in the same range while carrying the lowest debt on the list at $23,250, so it delivers the best debt-to-earnings ratio of any major listed. If you come to Villanova for these fields, the math works.

The main risk is what you don't see in the top programs: no humanities or social science outcomes appear here. Those majors likely earn less while paying the same high tuition, so your major choice drives your return more than the school's overall numbers suggest.

The net price tiers reward lower-income families. If your family earns under $30,000, you pay about $16,914 a year, and the $48,000-$75,000 band actually pays less than the $30,000-$48,000 band. Above $110,000, you pay $60,637 a year, close to full freight. Middle-income families in the $75,000-$110,000 range pay $34,285, a real stretch for a four-year commitment.

Villanova is a good fit if you're targeting business, engineering, or nursing, or if your family income keeps your net price in the lower tiers. If you're pursuing a lower-earning major and paying the $60,637 top-tier price, look hard at whether the debt matches the payoff before committing.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Villanova University worth the high tuition cost?

Villanova graduates earn $100,423 after 10 years, which is solid but may not justify the $44,876 annual net price for many families. The school's 92% graduation rate is excellent, but you'll likely graduate with around $26,000 in debt.

What are the best paying majors at Villanova University?

Nursing programs at Villanova lead to the highest earnings at $165,766, making them clear winners for ROI. Business programs like taxation ($100,740) and finance ($88,198) also perform well but fall short of the overall graduate average.

How much debt do Villanova University students typically graduate with?

The median debt at Villanova is $25,874, which is manageable given graduate earnings of around $100,000. However, some students may borrow significantly more depending on family income and financial aid packages.

Does Villanova University provide good financial aid to reduce costs?

With a net price of $44,876 after aid, Villanova's financial assistance brings costs down from the full sticker price but still leaves families paying substantial amounts. The aid quality varies significantly based on family income level.