More selective than 95% of Pennsylvania colleges we cover. U.S. median 77%.
College Scorecard, Fall 2024 entering class
25% of enrolled first-years sent SAT scores, 11% sent ACT scores.
IPEDS Admissions, Fall 2023 entering class
Called “yield.” A high yield means many admitted students choose Villanova University over other offers.
IPEDS Admissions, Fall 2023 entering class
Applicants, admits and enrollment
IPEDS Admissions, Fall 2023 entering class (first-time, degree-seeking undergraduates). Newer counts arrive with the next IPEDS release.
What Villanova University weighs when deciding
How much each part of an application counts for first-year applicants, as Villanova University reports it. Programs with their own criteria (nursing, music, honors) can weigh things differently.
- Rigor of high school courses
- High school GPA
- Essay
- Recommendations
- Extracurricular activities
- Talent or ability
- Character and personal qualities
- Volunteer work
- Class rank
- SAT/ACT scores
- First-generation college student
- Alumni relation (legacy)
- Where you live
- State residency
- Work experience
- Interview
- Religious affiliation
- Your demonstrated interest
Item C7. Common Data Set 2025-26 (fall 2025 first-year students), published by the college.
High school GPA of Villanova University first-year students
Share of fall 2025 first-year students in each high school GPA range; the average was 3.87. Colleges report GPAs as they record them, weighted or not.
Items C11-C12; enrolled students, not admitted students. Common Data Set 2025-26 (fall 2025 first-year students), published by the college.
Early decision, early action and the waitlist
60% of early decision applicants were admitted (1,005 of 1,680). Admitted students must enroll.
You hear early and can still apply elsewhere.
5,449 offered a spot, 2,205 took it, 28 admitted.
Items C2, C21-C22. Common Data Set 2025-26 (fall 2025 first-year students), published by the college.
Villanova University SAT and ACT scores
Scores of enrolled first-year students who submitted them, Fall 2024. A quarter scored below the 25th percentile and a quarter above the 75th. If your score is above the 75th, Villanova University is likely within reach on scores alone; below the 25th, it is a reach.
| Test | 25th percentile | 75th percentile |
|---|---|---|
| SAT reading & writing | 685 | 740 |
| SAT math | 710 | 770 |
| ACT composite | 32 | 34 |
| SAT total (approx.) | 1395 | 1510 |
College Scorecard, Fall 2024 entering class (reported to IPEDS). SAT total adds the two section scores, an approximation.
Villanova University admissions year over year
| Entering class | Acceptance | SAT reading | SAT math | ACT | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fall 2024 | 27% | 685–740 | 710–770 | 32–34 | College Scorecard |
| Fall 2023 | 25% | 690–740 | 710–770 | 32–34 | IPEDS |
Score ranges are the 25th–75th percentiles. Each year is kept as published; we add a year with every federal release.
How selective is Villanova University compared with other Pennsylvania colleges?
Villanova University has the 7th-lowest acceptance rate of 111 Pennsylvania colleges we cover. Schools around it:
| Rank | College | Acceptance | Graduation | Avg. net price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | Swarthmore College | 7% | 92% | $23,149 |
| 4 | Carnegie Mellon University | 12% | 94% | $31,944 |
| 5 | Haverford College | 12% | 90% | $25,314 |
| 6 | Lehigh University | 26% | 88% | $36,931 |
| 7 | Villanova University | 27% | 92% | $43,756 |
| 8 | Franklin and Marshall College | 28% | 84% | $36,425 |
| 9 | Bucknell University | 29% | 86% | $40,766 |
| 10 | Bryn Mawr College | 29% | 82% | $31,759 |
| 11 | Lafayette College | 31% | 88% | $34,433 |
College Scorecard, Fall 2024 entering class. All Pennsylvania colleges →
Who enrolls at Villanova University
College Scorecard; IPEDS
Villanova University admissions questions
What is the Villanova University acceptance rate?
Villanova University accepts 27% of applicants, about 1 in 4. For the Fall 2023 entering class, 5,810 of 23,127 applicants were admitted.
Does Villanova University require the SAT or ACT?
Villanova University considers SAT or ACT scores but does not require them (test-optional), according to its federal admissions report for Fall 2023. 25% of enrolled first-year students submitted SAT scores and 11% submitted ACT scores.
What SAT score do you need for Villanova University?
The middle 50% of Villanova University enrolled first-year students scored 1395–1510 on the SAT and 32–34 on the ACT. A score above the upper number puts you in the top quarter of enrolled students; below the lower number puts you in the bottom quarter.
How many admitted students enroll at Villanova University?
30% of admitted students enrolled in Fall 2023 (1,740 of 5,810).
What does Villanova University look for in applicants?
Villanova University reports these as very important for first-year applicants: rigor of high school courses, high school GPA, essay. Important: recommendations, extracurricular activities, talent or ability, character and personal qualities, volunteer work. Considered: class rank, sAT/ACT scores, first-generation college student, alumni relation (legacy), where you live, state residency, work experience. (Common Data Set 2025-26).
Does Villanova University have early decision?
Yes. Villanova University offers binding early decision; 60% of early decision applicants were admitted for fall 2025 (1,005 of 1,680). It also offers non-binding early action.
How many students get off the Villanova University waitlist?
For fall 2025, 5,449 applicants were offered a waitlist spot, 2,205 accepted one and 28 were admitted (1% of those who stayed on the list).
Is Villanova University getting harder to get into?
Villanova University accepted 27% of applicants for Fall 2024, compared with 25% for Fall 2023.
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Sources: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard and IPEDS Admissions; Villanova University's Common Data Set 2025-26; years shown with each figure. “Colleges we cover” means colleges awarding bachelor's degrees to at least 100 undergraduates. Back to Villanova University overview