Villanova University vs Boston College

Villanova University and Boston College, both esteemed private institutions, offer distinct educational experiences. Villanova, located in a suburban setting, boasts a smaller student body and a higher acceptance rate compared to Boston College, which resides in an urban environment. While both universities excel in various academic disciplines, Villanova is renowned for its business and engineering programs, while Boston College is known for its strengths in the liberal arts, sciences, and nursing. Explore the detailed comparison table to delve into further differences, including student demographics, graduation rates, and additional factors that may influence your college decision.

	Boston College	Villanova University
Overview
Location	Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts	Villanova, Pennsylvania
Campus setting	City: Small	Suburb: Large
College type	4 year	4 year
Control/business model	Private (Non Profit)	Private (Non Profit)
Calendar system	Semester	Semester
Degrees offered	Undergraduate and Graduate	Undergraduate and Graduate
Students retention rate	95.0%	96.0%
Common app member	Yes	Yes
Religious affiliation	Catholic	Catholic

Admission
Acceptance rate	19.0%	25.2%
Application fees	Undergraduate: $80 Graduate: $75	Undergraduate: $80 Graduate: $50
SAT range	1420 - 1530	1350 - 1490
ACT range	33 - 34	31 - 34
Students submitting SAT score	30.0%	28.0%
Students submitting ACT score	20.0%	17.0%
Total number of applicants	39,846	24,410
Total number of admissions given out	7,587	6,162
Admitted students who chose to enroll	2,516	1,772
Yield rate	33.2%	28.8%
Test scores (SAT/ACT)	N/A	N/A
High school GPA	Required	Required
Recommendation letters	Required	Required
High school transcript	Not required	Not required
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL)	Required	Required

Tuition and Fees
Sticker price	$76,606	$77,806
Average net price	$30,159	$33,123
Tuition	$60,530	$58,290
Room & board	Room/dormitory: $9,780 Meal plan: $5,822	Room/dormitory: $8,236 Meal plan: $7,150
Available payment plans	Tuition payment plan	Tuition payment plan

Financial Aid
Students receiving financial aid (Grants & scholarships)	39.0% Average amount $48,693	52.0% Average amount $43,106
Students receiving federal student loan	33.0% Average amount $3,579	34.0% Average amount $5,267
Students taking out private loans	0.0% Average amount $2,200	7.0% Average amount $29,933

Students and Campus
Undergraduate students	9,955 Men 47.1% Women 52.9%	7,032 Men 45.6% Women 54.4%
Graduate students	5,622 Men 42.2% Women 57.8%	3,838 Men 46.6% Women 53.4%
Racial/ethnic diversity	Low	Low
Out-of-state students	N/A	80.7%
International students	12.4%	3.6%
Campus local/setting	City: Small	Suburb: Large
Dormitory capacity	7,602	5,400
First year students are required to live on campus?	No	No
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from	N/A	New Jersey Pennsylvania New York Connecticut Maryland

Academics
Popular study areas	Business Health Professions Education Public Administration and Social Service Legal Profession	Business Engineering Health Professions Legal Profession Public Administration and Social Service
Students to faculty ratio	14:1	11:1
Institutional accreditation	New England Commission on Higher Education	Middle States Commission on Higher Education

Outcome
Graduation rate	90.8%	91.3%
Dropout rate	2.5%	1.5%
Transferred out	6.4%	7.2%
Alumni salary by major (Top 10)	Finance and Financial Management Services (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $90,012 Year 2: $117,572 Year 3: $142,311 Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $99,514 Year 2: $115,060 Year 3: $137,599 Educational Administration and Supervision (Doctoral Degrees) Year 1: $114,055 Year 2: $111,435 Year 3: $126,491 Law (First Professional Degrees) Year 1: $89,485 Year 2: $93,588 Year 3: $114,789 Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $92,426 Year 2: $100,439 Year 3: $112,343 Computer Science (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $89,714 Year 2: $84,100 Year 3: $105,872 Finance and Financial Management Services (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $74,320 Year 2: $75,518 Year 3: $94,626 Information Science/Studies (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $69,748 Year 2: $76,460 Year 3: $90,750 Accounting and Related Services (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $69,899 Year 2: $69,937 Year 3: $82,416 Economics (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $64,785 Year 2: $69,069 Year 3: $77,978	Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $114,668 Year 2: $165,766 Year 3: $171,511 Taxation (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $124,137 Year 2: $100,740 Year 3: $121,765 Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $106,590 Year 2: $109,095 Year 3: $118,365 Business/Managerial Economics (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $70,687 Year 2: $90,856 Year 3: $106,587 Real Estate (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $70,782 Year 2: $71,351 Year 3: $91,484 Finance and Financial Management Services (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $72,757 Year 2: $73,579 Year 3: $88,419 Human Resources Management and Services (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $84,583 Year 2: $80,218 Year 3: $88,254 Management Information Systems and Services (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $71,297 Year 2: $71,947 Year 3: $86,990 Computer Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $73,492 Year 2: $72,214 Year 3: $85,108 Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $71,115 Year 2: $74,576 Year 3: $84,596

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the main differences between Villanova University and Boston College?

Villanova University, located in a suburban setting near Philadelphia, is known for its strong sense of community, Augustinian values, and emphasis on undergraduate education. Boston College, situated in a more urban environment in Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts, offers a broader range of graduate programs and has a stronger research focus. While both are Catholic institutions, Villanova's Augustinian tradition is more central to its identity compared to Boston College's Jesuit heritage.
How do the academic reputations of Villanova and Boston College compare?

Both Villanova and Boston College are highly regarded academic institutions. Boston College generally holds a slightly higher national ranking, particularly in certain graduate programs and research areas. However, Villanova is recognized for its excellent undergraduate programs, especially in business, engineering, and nursing. The 'best' school academically depends on your specific field of study and career goals.
What is the campus environment like at Villanova versus Boston College?

Villanova offers a more traditional, close-knit campus environment with a strong emphasis on student life and community involvement. Its suburban location provides a quieter, more contained setting. Boston College, while also having a strong campus community, is located in a more urban area, offering students greater access to city amenities and opportunities. BC's campus is larger and more spread out than Villanova's.
How do the costs of attending Villanova and Boston College compare?

The cost of attendance at both Villanova and Boston College is relatively similar, including tuition, fees, room, and board. However, the actual cost can vary significantly depending on financial aid packages and scholarships. It's best to compare the financial aid offers you receive from each institution to determine which is more affordable for your family.
What are the strengths of Villanova's academic programs?

Villanova is particularly strong in business (Villanova School of Business), engineering (College of Engineering), nursing (Fitzpatrick College of Nursing), and law. It also has a solid liberal arts program. The university emphasizes a practical, hands-on approach to learning, with opportunities for internships and research.
What are the strengths of Boston College's academic programs?

Boston College excels in areas such as business (Carroll School of Management), law, education (Lynch School of Education and Human Development), and theology. It also has strong programs in the humanities and social sciences. BC is known for its research opportunities and its focus on social justice.
How do the student bodies at Villanova and Boston College differ?

Both universities attract academically strong and engaged students. Villanova tends to draw a larger proportion of students from the Mid-Atlantic region, while Boston College has a more geographically diverse student body, including a significant number of international students. Boston College is also slightly larger in terms of total student enrollment.
What are the career services and alumni networks like at Villanova and Boston College?

Both Villanova and Boston College have strong career services departments that provide students with resources for internships, job searching, and career counseling. Both universities also boast extensive and active alumni networks that can be valuable resources for graduates seeking employment and networking opportunities. Boston College's larger alumni base may offer a wider range of connections in certain industries, while Villanova's alumni network is known for its strong sense of loyalty and support.
How does the religious affiliation impact student life at Villanova and Boston College?

Both Villanova and Boston College are Catholic universities, and their religious affiliations influence campus culture. Villanova's Augustinian values are deeply integrated into student life, with an emphasis on service, community, and personal growth. Boston College's Jesuit tradition emphasizes intellectual rigor, social justice, and cura personalis (care for the whole person). While religious observance is not mandatory at either institution, both offer numerous opportunities for students to engage with their faith.
What are the athletic programs like at Villanova and Boston College?

Both Villanova and Boston College have strong athletic programs. Villanova is known for its successful men's basketball program, while Boston College competes in the ACC, a major athletic conference, and has a strong football program. Both schools offer a wide range of varsity and intramural sports, providing opportunities for students to participate and support their teams.
Which school is better for someone interested in a specific major, like engineering?

While both schools offer engineering programs, Villanova's College of Engineering is particularly well-regarded and known for its hands-on approach and strong industry connections. If engineering is your primary focus, Villanova might be a slightly better fit. However, Boston College also offers solid engineering programs, and the best choice depends on your specific interests within engineering and the overall academic and campus environment you prefer.
What are the surrounding areas like and what do they offer students?

Villanova is located in a suburban area of Philadelphia's Main Line, offering a quieter, more residential setting. Students have access to Philadelphia's cultural attractions, historical sites, and job opportunities, but require transportation. Boston College is located in Chestnut Hill, a more urban suburb of Boston. Students have easy access to Boston's vibrant city life, including its numerous colleges and universities, cultural institutions, and career opportunities via public transportation.

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