Penn vs. Villanova

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia, PA with Villanova University in Villanova, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Pennsylvania is larger than Villanova based on total student enrollment (29,109 students vs. 10,041 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Pennsylvania is located in Philadelphia, PA (Large City setting); Villanova University is in Villanova, PA (Large Suburban setting).
• University of Pennsylvania is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Villanova University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Pennsylvania 8:1; Villanova University 10:1.

Penn vs. Villanova Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Penn or Villanova? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at University of Pennsylvania than Villanova ($23,570 vs. $37,201).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Villanova University are 7.7% lower than at University of Pennsylvania ($17,694 vs. $19,174).
• University of Pennsylvania is 1.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Villanova (about $910 more per year; $68,686.00 vs. $67,776.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 1.3% higher at Penn than at Villanova University (about $910 more per year; $68,686.00 vs. $67,776.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Pennsylvania than at Villanova University (51% vs. 48%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Pennsylvania students is 37.5% larger than aid received by Villanova University students ($65,458 vs. $47,609).

Penn vs. Villanova Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Penn or Villanova? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Villanova and Penn.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Pennsylvania (1540) is 90 points higher than at Villanova (1450).
• Incoming Penn students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (35 vs. 33 at Villanova).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Pennsylvania 1510/1570; Villanova University 1395/1510.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Pennsylvania 34/36; Villanova University 32/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Penn - Required; Villanova - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Penn Jan 5, 2027; Villanova Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Penn students have a 0.08 point higher average high school GPA (3.95) than students at Villanova (3.87).
• Villanova has a higher acceptance rate (27%) than Penn (5.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 68% at Penn vs. 27.7% at Villanova.

Penn vs. Villanova Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Penn and Villanova? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• University of Pennsylvania's six-year graduation rate (96%) is higher than Villanova University's (90%).
• Graduates from University of Pennsylvania earn a median of about $38,500 more per year than Villanova graduates about ten years after starting college ($123,600 vs. $85,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Pennsylvania graduates have a $5,864 lower median loan debt than Villanova graduates ($20,633 vs. $26,497).
• Among borrowers, Penn graduates have an estimated $60 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Villanova graduates ($213 vs. $273).
• More Villanova graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Penn students, three years after graduation. (90% vs. 84%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.