Villanova University vs Saint Joseph's University (SJU)

Villanova University and Saint Joseph's University, both esteemed institutions of higher learning in the Philadelphia area, offer distinct educational experiences. Villanova, a private Catholic university, boasts a lower acceptance rate (32%) compared to Saint Joseph's (60%), indicating a more selective admissions process. In terms of student body demographics, Villanova has a slightly larger undergraduate population (6,500 vs. 4,500) and a higher percentage of female students (56% vs. 49%). Both universities offer a diverse range of undergraduate programs, with popular majors including Business, Engineering, and Nursing. However, Villanova has a higher graduation rate (88%) compared to Saint Joseph's (82%), suggesting a stronger emphasis on academic achievement. To help you make an informed decision about your higher education journey, we've compiled a comprehensive comparison table highlighting key differences between these two universities. Explore the table to discover which institution aligns best with your academic aspirations and personal

	Saint Joseph's University	Villanova University
Overview
Location	Philadelphia, Pennsylvania	Villanova, Pennsylvania
Campus setting	City: Large	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	89.0%	96.0%
Common app member	Yes	Yes
Religious affiliation	Catholic	Catholic

Admission
Acceptance rate	83.1%	25.2%
Application fees	Undergraduate: $50 Graduate: $35	Undergraduate: $80 Graduate: $50
SAT range	1120 - 1310	1350 - 1490
ACT range	25 - 31	31 - 34
Students submitting SAT score	39.0%	28.0%
Students submitting ACT score	7.0%	17.0%
Total number of applicants	8,119	24,410
Total number of admissions given out	6,746	6,162
Admitted students who chose to enroll	1,038	1,772
Yield rate	15.4%	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	$65,105	$77,806
Average net price	$33,438	$33,123
Tuition	$47,740	$58,290
Room & board	Room/dormitory: $9,424 Meal plan: $5,416	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)	99.0% Average amount $30,728	52.0% Average amount $43,106
Students receiving federal student loan	59.0% Average amount $5,326	34.0% Average amount $5,267
Students taking out private loans	13.0% Average amount $20,869	7.0% Average amount $29,933

Students and Campus
Undergraduate students	4,196 Men 47.9% Women 52.1%	7,032 Men 45.6% Women 54.4%
Graduate students	2,268 Men 35.2% Women 64.8%	3,838 Men 46.6% Women 53.4%
Racial/ethnic diversity	Low	Low
Out-of-state students	N/A	80.7%
International students	2.7%	3.6%
Campus local/setting	City: Large	Suburb: Large
Dormitory capacity	2,609	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 Education Health Professions Social Sciences Computer and Information Science	Business Engineering Health Professions Legal Profession Public Administration and Social Service
Students to faculty ratio	10:1	11:1
Institutional accreditation	Middle States Commission on Higher Education	Middle States Commission on Higher Education

Outcome
Graduation rate	83.2%	91.3%
Dropout rate	6.8%	1.5%
Transferred out	9.8%	7.2%
Alumni salary by major (Top 10)	Specialized Sales, Merchandising and Marketing Operations (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $162,678 Year 2: $144,240 Year 3: $157,209 Business/Commerce, General (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $87,213 Year 2: $91,744 Year 3: $103,887 Finance and Financial Management Services (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $83,139 Year 2: $84,653 Year 3: $95,990 Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $86,002 Year 2: $86,550 Year 3: $93,132 Human Resources Management and Services (Master's Degrees) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $60,839 Year 3: $79,856 Educational Administration and Supervision (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $68,102 Year 2: $67,473 Year 3: $75,203 Accounting and Related Services (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $59,162 Year 2: $63,997 Year 3: $73,059 Finance and Financial Management Services (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $56,042 Year 2: $60,623 Year 3: $72,898 Insurance (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $59,809 Year 2: $60,399 Year 3: $72,326 Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $60,324 Year 2: $61,630 Year 3: $70,859	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 Saint Joseph's University?

Villanova University, a Catholic Augustinian university, is generally known for its strong engineering, business, and nursing programs, as well as its competitive athletics, particularly basketball. Saint Joseph's University, a Jesuit university, is recognized for its business programs, especially in food marketing, and its liberal arts focus. Villanova tends to have a larger endowment and a more selective admissions process compared to Saint Joseph's.
How do the campus environments compare?

Villanova's campus is located in a suburban setting in Villanova, Pennsylvania, offering a traditional college town feel. Saint Joseph's University has a more urban campus located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, providing students with easy access to city amenities and internship opportunities. Villanova's campus is generally perceived as more self-contained, while Saint Joseph's offers a blend of campus life and city experiences.
Which university is more selective in its admissions process?

Villanova University is generally more selective than Saint Joseph's University. Villanova typically has a lower acceptance rate and higher average SAT/ACT scores for admitted students.
How do the academic programs differ between the two universities?

While both universities offer a wide range of undergraduate and graduate programs, Villanova is particularly strong in engineering, nursing, and business, while Saint Joseph's excels in business, especially food marketing, and has a strong liberal arts foundation. Consider your specific academic interests when making your decision.
What is the role of faith and religion on each campus?

Both Villanova and Saint Joseph's are Catholic universities, but their religious affiliations manifest differently. Villanova is Augustinian, while Saint Joseph's is Jesuit. Both emphasize service and social justice, but the specific traditions and approaches to faith may vary. Students of all faiths are welcome at both institutions.
How do the athletic programs compare?

Villanova is known for its highly successful Division I basketball program, which has garnered national attention. Saint Joseph's also competes in Division I athletics and has a strong basketball tradition as well. Both universities offer a variety of other sports, but Villanova's basketball program is generally more prominent.
What are the career services and internship opportunities like at each university?

Both Villanova and Saint Joseph's offer comprehensive career services, including career counseling, resume workshops, and job fairs. Saint Joseph's location in Philadelphia provides students with access to a wide range of internship opportunities in various industries. Villanova's strong alumni network and reputation also contribute to its students' career prospects.
What is the typical class size and student-to-faculty ratio at each university?

Both universities strive to provide a personalized learning experience. While class sizes can vary depending on the program, both Villanova and Saint Joseph's generally maintain a relatively low student-to-faculty ratio, allowing for more interaction between students and professors. You can find the most up-to-date figures on their respective websites.
How does the cost of attendance compare between Villanova and Saint Joseph's?

The cost of attendance can vary depending on factors such as tuition, fees, room and board, and financial aid. Generally, Villanova's tuition is slightly higher than Saint Joseph's. It's best to check the official websites of both universities for the most current and accurate cost information and to explore available financial aid options.
What are the housing options like at each university?

Both Villanova and Saint Joseph's offer a variety of on-campus housing options, including traditional residence halls, apartments, and suites. Housing options may vary in terms of size, amenities, and cost. Both universities also have off-campus housing options available for students who prefer to live independently.

Compare Similar Colleges

The list of suggested college comparisons provided below is generated automatically by our system, utilizing statistics gathered from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) and various online sources. If you don't find the colleges you wish to compare, please visit our comparison page. There, you can search for the specific colleges and initiate your comparison.