Northeastern vs Villanova University

Northeastern University and Villanova University, both esteemed institutions of higher learning, offer distinct educational experiences. Northeastern, located in the heart of Boston, boasts a vibrant urban campus and a renowned co-op program that seamlessly integrates classroom learning with real-world experience. Villanova, nestled in the charming town of Villanova, Pennsylvania, exudes a strong sense of community and a commitment to the liberal arts tradition. While both universities share a reputation for academic excellence, they differ in acceptance rates, popular majors, student body demographics, and graduation rates. Explore the comprehensive comparison table below to discover which university aligns best with your academic aspirations and personal preferences.

	Northeastern University	Villanova University
Overview
Location	Boston, Massachusetts	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	97.0%	96.0%
Common app member	Yes	Yes
Religious affiliation		Catholic

Admission
Acceptance rate	18.4%	25.2%
Application fees	Undergraduate: $75 Graduate: $75	Undergraduate: $80 Graduate: $50
SAT range	1430 - 1550	1350 - 1490
ACT range	33 - 35	31 - 34
Students submitting SAT score	28.0%	28.0%
Students submitting ACT score	14.0%	17.0%
Total number of applicants	75,244	24,410
Total number of admissions given out	13,829	6,162
Admitted students who chose to enroll	4,504	1,772
Yield rate	32.6%	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

Tuition and Fees
Sticker price	$78,202	$77,806
Average net price	$38,927	$33,123
Tuition	$56,500	$58,290
Room & board	Room/dormitory: $9,900 Meal plan: $7,910	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)	80.0% Average amount $36,308	52.0% Average amount $43,106
Students receiving federal student loan	44.0% Average amount $5,154	34.0% Average amount $5,267
Students taking out private loans	5.0% Average amount $28,495	7.0% Average amount $29,933

Students and Campus
Undergraduate students	15,747 Men 45.9% Women 54.1%	7,032 Men 45.6% Women 54.4%
Graduate students	12,420 Men 52.1% Women 47.9%	3,838 Men 46.6% Women 53.4%
Racial/ethnic diversity	Moderate	Low
Out-of-state students	N/A	80.7%
International students	34.0%	3.6%
Campus local/setting	City: Large	Suburb: Large
Dormitory capacity	10,481	5,400
First year students are required to live on campus?	No	No
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from	New York New Jersey Connecticut California Texas	New Jersey Pennsylvania New York Connecticut Maryland

Academics
Popular study areas	Engineering Computer and Information Science Health Professions Business Biological and Biomedical Sciences	Business Engineering Health Professions Legal Profession Public Administration and Social Service
Students to faculty ratio	15:1	11:1
Institutional accreditation	New England Commission on Higher Education	Middle States Commission on Higher Education

Outcome
Graduation rate	90.6%	91.3%
Dropout rate	5.1%	1.5%
Transferred out	3.8%	7.2%
Alumni salary by major (Top 10)	Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Administration (First Professional Degrees) Year 1: $77,157 Year 2: $102,123 Year 3: $124,358 Taxation (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $103,863 Year 2: $100,518 Year 3: $122,957 Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $113,631 Year 2: $110,878 Year 3: $121,357 Business/Commerce, General (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $105,065 Year 2: $101,072 Year 3: $110,392 Computer and Information Sciences, General (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $95,288 Year 2: $89,413 Year 3: $108,000 Information Science/Studies (Master's Degrees) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $86,867 Year 3: $104,196 Finance and Financial Management Services (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $100,801 Year 2: $89,415 Year 3: $103,529 Computer and Information Sciences, General (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $98,777 Year 2: $86,867 Year 3: $102,904 Computer Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $88,529 Year 2: $89,564 Year 3: $99,566 Biotechnology (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $79,825 Year 2: $80,556 Year 3: $98,428	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 Northeastern University and Villanova University?

Northeastern University is a large, private research university located in the heart of Boston, Massachusetts, known for its cooperative education (co-op) program, strong emphasis on experiential learning, and urban campus environment. Villanova University, on the other hand, is a private, Catholic university located in Villanova, Pennsylvania, a suburb of Philadelphia. It's known for its strong sense of community, liberal arts focus, and Division I athletics, particularly basketball.
Which university is better known for its co-op program?

Northeastern University is renowned for its cooperative education program (co-op). Students alternate semesters of academic study with semesters of full-time, paid work experience in their field of study. Villanova does not have a co-op program in the same structured way as Northeastern.
How do the campus environments compare?

Northeastern University offers a vibrant urban campus experience in Boston, surrounded by cultural attractions, businesses, and other universities. Villanova University provides a more traditional, suburban campus setting with a strong sense of community and a focus on campus life.
Which university has a stronger focus on research?

Northeastern University is classified as an R1: Doctoral Universities – Very high research activity institution, indicating a significant emphasis on research across various disciplines. While Villanova also conducts research, it is generally considered to have a less intensive research focus compared to Northeastern.
How do the academic programs differ between Northeastern and Villanova?

Northeastern excels in STEM fields, business, and health sciences, often integrating experiential learning into its curriculum. Villanova offers strong programs in business, engineering, nursing, and liberal arts, with a foundation in Augustinian values and a commitment to a well-rounded education.
What is the role of faith and religion at each university?

Villanova University is a Catholic university founded by the Order of Saint Augustine. Augustinian values are integrated into the curriculum and campus life. Northeastern University is non-sectarian and does not have a religious affiliation.
How do the athletic programs compare?

Both Northeastern and Villanova have strong athletic programs. Villanova is particularly well-known for its men's basketball team, which has won multiple national championships. Both schools compete in NCAA Division I athletics, but Villanova's basketball program receives significantly more national attention.
Which university is more selective in its admissions process?

Both Northeastern and Villanova are highly selective universities. Admission rates fluctuate year to year, but generally, both institutions seek academically strong students with diverse backgrounds and experiences. You should check the most recent admission statistics on each university's website for the most up-to-date information.
How does the cost of attendance compare between Northeastern and Villanova?

The cost of attendance at both Northeastern and Villanova is significant and comparable. Tuition, fees, and living expenses are generally in the same range. It's important to check each university's website for the most current cost information and to explore financial aid and scholarship opportunities.
Which university is better for students interested in a global experience?

Northeastern University's co-op program provides numerous opportunities for students to gain international work experience. Villanova also offers study abroad programs, but Northeastern's co-op structure gives it a distinct advantage in providing structured, career-related global experiences.
What are the career prospects like after graduating from Northeastern versus Villanova?

Graduates from both Northeastern and Villanova are highly sought after by employers. Northeastern's co-op program gives its graduates a significant advantage in terms of work experience, often leading to job offers upon graduation. Villanova's strong alumni network and reputation also contribute to excellent career prospects for its graduates.
How large are the student bodies at Northeastern and Villanova?

Northeastern University has a larger student body than Villanova University. Northeastern is a large university, while Villanova is considered a medium-sized university. This difference in size can impact the overall campus atmosphere and the availability of resources.

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