Villanova University vs Wake Forest University (WFU)

Villanova University and Wake Forest University, both esteemed private institutions, offer distinct educational experiences. Villanova, located in the vibrant city of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, boasts a higher acceptance rate (63%) compared to Wake Forest's selective admissions (33%). While Villanova excels in business, engineering, and nursing, Wake Forest shines in liberal arts, business, and health sciences. Villanova's student body is more diverse, with a larger international student population, while Wake Forest's student body is predominantly white. Both universities boast impressive graduation rates, with Villanova at 89% and Wake Forest at 88%. Explore the detailed comparison table to discover more about these universities' unique strengths and determine which one aligns best with your academic aspirations and personal preferences.
Villanova University logo

Villanova University

Wake Forest University logo

Wake Forest University

Overview

Location Villanova, Pennsylvania Winston-Salem, North Carolina
Campus setting Suburb: Large City: Midsize
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 96.0% 94.0%
Common app member Yes No
Religious affiliation Catholic

Admission

Acceptance rate 25.2% 25.2%
Application fees
Undergraduate: $80

Graduate: $50
Undergraduate: $85

Graduate: $80
SAT range 1350 - 1490 N/A
ACT range 31 - 34 N/A
Students submitting SAT score 28.0%
Students submitting ACT score 17.0%
Total number of applicants 24,410 15,156
Total number of admissions given out 6,162 3,816
Admitted students who chose to enroll 1,772 1,412
Yield rate 28.8% 37.0%
Test scores (SAT/ACT) N/A N/A
High school GPA Required Required
Recommendation letters Required Required
High school transcript Not required Required
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL) Required Required

Tuition and Fees

Sticker price $77,806 $79,886
Average net price $33,123 $24,643
Tuition $58,290 $58,708
Room & board
Room/dormitory: $8,236

Meal plan: $7,150
Room/dormitory: $10,144

Meal plan: $7,870
Available payment plans
  • Tuition payment plan
  • Prepaid tuition plan
  • Tuition payment plan

Financial Aid

Students receiving financial aid

(Grants & scholarships)

52.0%
Average amount $43,106
33.0%
Average amount $53,244
Students receiving federal student loan 34.0%
Average amount $5,267
17.0%
Average amount $4,985
Students taking out private loans 7.0%
Average amount $29,933
3.0%
Average amount $32,719

Students and Campus

Undergraduate students 7,032
Men 45.6% Women 54.4%
5,472
Men 45.7% Women 54.3%
Graduate students 3,838
Men 46.6% Women 53.4%
3,475
Men 42.4% Women 57.6%
Racial/ethnic diversity
Low
Low
Out-of-state students 80.7% N/A
International students 3.6% 9.8%
Campus local/setting Suburb: Large City: Midsize
Dormitory capacity 5,400 4,152
First year students are required to live on campus? No No
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from New Jersey Pennsylvania New York Connecticut Maryland N/A

Academics

Popular study areas
  • Business
  • Engineering
  • Health Professions
  • Legal Profession
  • Public Administration and Social Service
  • Business
  • Health Professions
  • Legal Profession
  • Education
  • Biological and Biomedical Sciences
Students to faculty ratio 11:1 10:1
Institutional accreditation Middle States Commission on Higher Education Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges

Outcome

Graduation rate 91.3% 90.2%
Dropout rate 1.5% 9.5%
Transferred out 7.2% N/A
Alumni salary by major (Top 10)
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
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $169,430
  • Year 2: N/A
  • Year 3: $155,438
Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $96,143
  • Year 2: $96,587
  • Year 3: $105,398
Finance and Financial Management Services (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $73,169
  • Year 2: $80,510
  • Year 3: $96,761
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $86,086
  • Year 2: $76,836
  • Year 3: $93,939
Computer Science (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $70,098
  • Year 2: $71,015
  • Year 3: $89,902
Accounting and Related Services (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $61,076
  • Year 2: $65,145
  • Year 3: $79,400
Business/Commerce, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $65,533
  • Year 2: $66,653
  • Year 3: $76,702
Law (First Professional Degrees)
  • Year 1: $58,731
  • Year 2: $60,811
  • Year 3: $72,065
Economics (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $57,100
  • Year 2: $55,693
  • Year 3: $70,717
Medicine (First Professional Degrees)
  • Year 1: $56,086
  • Year 2: $57,411
  • Year 3: $65,270

Frequently Asked Questions


  • What are the main differences between Villanova University and Wake Forest University?

    Villanova University, located near Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, is a Catholic, Augustinian university known for its strong sense of community and emphasis on service. Wake Forest University, situated in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, is a private university with a strong liberal arts focus and a reputation for its close-knit academic environment. Villanova tends to have a more urban/suburban feel, while Wake Forest offers a more traditional campus setting.

  • How do Villanova and Wake Forest compare in terms of academic reputation?

    Both Villanova and Wake Forest are highly regarded universities. Villanova is particularly well-known for its business, engineering, and nursing programs. Wake Forest excels in its undergraduate liberal arts education, business, and law programs. Both institutions consistently rank among the top universities in the United States.

  • What is the student body size and campus environment like at each university?

    Villanova has a larger undergraduate student body than Wake Forest. Villanova's campus is more integrated with the surrounding suburban community, offering easy access to Philadelphia. Wake Forest has a smaller, more residential campus, fostering a close-knit community feel. Both universities emphasize student engagement and offer a wide range of extracurricular activities.

  • How do the costs of attending Villanova and Wake Forest compare?

    The cost of attendance at both Villanova and Wake Forest is relatively similar, placing them among the more expensive private universities. Tuition, fees, and living expenses are comparable. It's important to check the most recent figures on each university's website for the most accurate information. Both offer financial aid and scholarships to eligible students.

  • What are the religious affiliations of Villanova and Wake Forest, and how does this impact campus life?

    Villanova is a Catholic, Augustinian university, and its Catholic identity is integrated into campus life through various programs, services, and values. Wake Forest has a Baptist heritage, but it is no longer formally affiliated with the Baptist church. While its history is present, Wake Forest is now a secular institution that welcomes students of all faiths and backgrounds. Villanova's religious affiliation is more prominent in daily campus life than Wake Forest's.

  • What are the popular majors at Villanova and Wake Forest?

    At Villanova, popular majors include Business, Engineering, Nursing, and Communication. At Wake Forest, popular majors include Business, Economics, Political Science, and Biology. Both universities offer a wide range of academic programs, but these are some of the most sought-after fields of study.

  • How do the athletic programs at Villanova and Wake Forest compare?

    Both Villanova and Wake Forest have strong athletic programs. Villanova is a member of the Big East Conference and is particularly known for its basketball program. Wake Forest is a member of the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) and has a strong tradition in sports like basketball, baseball, and football. Both universities offer a competitive athletic environment.

  • What are the career services and internship opportunities like at each university?

    Both Villanova and Wake Forest offer comprehensive career services to help students with internships, job placement, and career development. They have strong alumni networks and connections with employers in various industries. Both universities actively support students in securing internships and post-graduation employment opportunities.

  • What is the location like for each university, and what are the benefits of each location?

    Villanova is located in a suburban area just outside of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. This provides students with access to the cultural and professional opportunities of a major city while maintaining a more campus-focused environment. Wake Forest is located in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, a mid-sized city with a growing arts and innovation scene. Wake Forest offers a more traditional college town experience.

  • How do the graduation rates and post-graduate outcomes compare between Villanova and Wake Forest?

    Both Villanova and Wake Forest boast high graduation rates and strong post-graduate outcomes. Graduates from both universities are highly sought after by employers and graduate schools. You can expect a high percentage of students from both institutions to be employed or enrolled in graduate programs within a year of graduation.

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