Villanova University vs DeSales University
Villanova University and DeSales University, both esteemed institutions of higher learning in Pennsylvania, offer distinct educational experiences. Villanova, a private research university, boasts a lower acceptance rate (33%) compared to DeSales' (75%), indicating a more selective admissions process. While Villanova's student body is larger and more diverse, DeSales fosters a close-knit community with smaller class sizes. Both universities excel in different areas: Villanova is renowned for its business, engineering, and nursing programs, while DeSales shines in the fields of education, nursing, and occupational therapy. With Villanova's higher graduation rate (89%) and DeSales' lower cost of attendance, prospective students are encouraged to explore the detailed comparison table to discover which university better aligns with their academic aspirations and personal preferences.
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![]() DeSales University |
![]() Villanova University |
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Overview |
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Location | Center Valley, Pennsylvania | Villanova, Pennsylvania |
Campus setting | Rural: Fringe | 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 | 81.0% | 96.0% |
![]() |
Yes | Yes |
Religious affiliation | Catholic | Catholic |
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Admission |
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Acceptance rate | 78.2% | 25.2% |
Application fees | $50 |
Undergraduate:
$80
Graduate:
$50
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SAT range | 1080 - 1260 | 1350 - 1490 |
ACT range | 23 - 29 | 31 - 34 |
Students submitting SAT score | 31.0% | 28.0% |
Students submitting ACT score | 4.0% | 17.0% |
Total number of applicants | 3,554 | 24,410 |
Total number of admissions given out | 2,780 | 6,162 |
Admitted students who chose to enroll | 516 | 1,772 |
Yield rate | 18.6% | 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 |
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Tuition and Fees |
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Sticker price | $56,182 | $77,806 |
Average net price | $27,965 | $33,123 |
Tuition | $39,500 | $58,290 |
Room & board |
Room/dormitory:
$6,400
Meal plan:
$6,900
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Room/dormitory:
$8,236
Meal plan:
$7,150
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Available payment plans |
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Financial Aid |
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Students receiving financial aid
(Grants & scholarships) |
100.0%
Average amount $27,263 |
52.0%
Average amount $43,106 |
Students receiving federal student loan |
71.0%
Average amount $5,226 |
34.0%
Average amount $5,267 |
Students taking out private loans |
17.0%
Average amount $18,524 |
7.0%
Average amount $29,933 |
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Students and Campus |
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Undergraduate students |
2,309
Men 36.6% Women 63.4% |
7,032
Men 45.6% Women 54.4% |
Graduate students |
792
Men 32.8% Women 67.2% |
3,838
Men 46.6% Women 53.4% |
Racial/ethnic diversity |
Low
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Low
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Out-of-state students | 31.0% | 80.7% |
International students | 0.3% | 3.6% |
Campus local/setting | Rural: Fringe | Suburb: Large |
Dormitory capacity | 1,160 | 5,400 |
First year students are required to live on campus? | No | No |
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from | Pennsylvania New Jersey New York Delaware Maryland | New Jersey Pennsylvania New York Connecticut Maryland |
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Academics |
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Popular study areas |
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Students to faculty ratio | 13:1 | 11:1 |
Institutional accreditation | Middle States Commission on Higher Education | Middle States Commission on Higher Education |
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Outcome |
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Graduation rate | 69.3% | 91.3% |
Dropout rate | 16.6% | 1.5% |
Transferred out | 13.4% | 7.2% |
Alumni salary by major (Top 10) |
Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions (Master's Degrees)
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Master's Degrees)
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees)
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Bachelor's Degrees)
Criminal Justice and Corrections (Master's Degrees)
Marketing (Bachelor's Degrees)
Finance and Financial Management Services (Bachelor's Degrees)
Communication, Journalism, and Related Programs, Other (Bachelor's Degrees)
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Bachelor's Degrees)
Accounting and Related Services (Bachelor's Degrees)
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Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Master's Degrees)
Taxation (Master's Degrees)
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees)
Business/Managerial Economics (Bachelor's Degrees)
Real Estate (Bachelor's Degrees)
Finance and Financial Management Services (Bachelor's Degrees)
Human Resources Management and Services (Master's Degrees)
Management Information Systems and Services (Bachelor's Degrees)
Computer Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
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