Villanova University vs Fordham

Villanova University and Fordham University, both esteemed institutions of higher learning, offer distinct educational experiences. Villanova, a private Catholic university, boasts a lower acceptance rate (32%) compared to Fordham's (48%). While Villanova's student body is predominantly white (67%), Fordham's is more diverse, with a larger population of Hispanic (20%) and Black (13%) students. Both universities excel in academics, with Villanova's popular majors including Business, Engineering, and Nursing, while Fordham's strengths lie in Business, Social Sciences, and Biological and Biomedical Sciences. Villanova's graduation rate stands at 89%, slightly higher than Fordham's 86%. Explore the detailed comparison table to discover more about these universities' similarities and differences, and make an informed decision that aligns with your academic aspirations and personal preferences.

	Fordham University	Villanova University
Overview
Location	Bronx, New York	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	88.0%	96.0%
Common app member	Yes	Yes
Religious affiliation	Catholic	Catholic

Admission
Acceptance rate	58.3%	25.2%
Application fees	Undergraduate: $70 Graduate: $70	Undergraduate: $80 Graduate: $50
SAT range	1300 - 1480	1350 - 1490
ACT range	30 - 33	31 - 34
Students submitting SAT score	26.0%	28.0%
Students submitting ACT score	11.0%	17.0%
Total number of applicants	46,275	24,410
Total number of admissions given out	26,980	6,162
Admitted students who chose to enroll	2,879	1,772
Yield rate	10.7%	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	$72,559	$77,806
Average net price	$37,583	$33,123
Tuition	$54,730	$58,290
Room & board	$21,035	Room/dormitory: $8,236 Meal plan: $7,150
Available payment plans	Prepaid tuition plan Tuition payment plan	Tuition payment plan

Financial Aid
Students receiving financial aid (Grants & scholarships)	94.0% Average amount $34,114	52.0% Average amount $43,106
Students receiving federal student loan	52.0% Average amount $5,280	34.0% Average amount $5,267
Students taking out private loans	6.0% Average amount $26,677	7.0% Average amount $29,933

Students and Campus
Undergraduate students	9,904 Men 40.8% Women 59.2%	7,032 Men 45.6% Women 54.4%
Graduate students	7,082 Men 34.3% Women 65.7%	3,838 Men 46.6% Women 53.4%
Racial/ethnic diversity	Moderate	Low
Out-of-state students	60.9%	80.7%
International students	10.2%	3.6%
Campus local/setting	City: Large	Suburb: Large
Dormitory capacity	4,749	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 California Mississippi Connecticut	New Jersey Pennsylvania New York Connecticut Maryland

Academics
Popular study areas	Business Public Administration and Social Service Legal Profession Computer and Information Science Education	Business Engineering Health Professions Legal Profession Public Administration and Social Service
Students to faculty ratio	14:1	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	6.7%	1.5%
Transferred out	9.9%	7.2%
Alumni salary by major (Top 10)	Law (First Professional Degrees) Year 1: $146,081 Year 2: $100,690 Year 3: $124,166 Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $101,577 Year 2: $113,850 Year 3: $121,893 Educational Administration and Supervision (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $86,586 Year 2: $85,538 Year 3: $98,267 Taxation (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $75,240 Year 2: $81,702 Year 3: $96,920 Finance and Financial Management Services (Master's Degrees) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $103,078 Year 3: $95,156 Finance and Financial Management Services (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $70,465 Year 2: $73,195 Year 3: $87,850 Accounting and Related Services (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $68,578 Year 2: $71,575 Year 3: $87,004 Accounting and Related Services (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $68,968 Year 2: $71,351 Year 3: $82,005 Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology (Doctoral Degrees) Year 1: $58,702 Year 2: $79,081 Year 3: $81,526 Computer and Information Sciences, General (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $63,805 Year 2: $58,673 Year 3: $73,993	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 Fordham University?

Villanova University, located in suburban Pennsylvania, is known for its strong Augustinian Catholic tradition and emphasis on community. Fordham University, situated in the Bronx and Manhattan in New York City, offers a more urban experience with a Jesuit Catholic foundation. Villanova is generally perceived as having a more residential campus feel, while Fordham provides greater access to internships and cultural opportunities in NYC.
How do Villanova and Fordham compare in terms of academic reputation?

Both Villanova and Fordham are highly regarded universities. Villanova is particularly strong in business, engineering, and nursing. Fordham has a strong reputation in law, business, communications, and the humanities. Both institutions attract academically talented students, but specific program strengths may vary depending on your field of study.
What is the campus environment like at Villanova versus Fordham?

Villanova offers a traditional, close-knit campus environment with a strong emphasis on student life and extracurricular activities. It's a more self-contained campus. Fordham, with its two main campuses (Rose Hill in the Bronx and Lincoln Center in Manhattan), provides a more diverse and urban experience. Rose Hill offers a more traditional campus feel, while Lincoln Center is integrated into the city. Fordham students have easy access to NYC's cultural attractions, internships, and social scene.
How do the costs of attending Villanova and Fordham compare?

The cost of attendance at both Villanova and Fordham is relatively similar, placing them among the more expensive private universities. Tuition, fees, and living expenses are significant at both institutions. It's important to research specific costs for your program of interest and explore financial aid and scholarship opportunities at both universities.
What are the religious affiliations of Villanova and Fordham?

Both Villanova and Fordham are Catholic universities. Villanova is Augustinian, while Fordham is Jesuit. This difference influences the campus culture and the emphasis placed on certain values. Both universities welcome students of all faiths and backgrounds, but their Catholic identity is a significant part of their institutional character.
What types of students typically choose Villanova versus Fordham?

Villanova often attracts students seeking a strong sense of community, a traditional campus experience, and a focus on faith and service. Fordham tends to attract students who are drawn to the energy and opportunities of New York City, a diverse student body, and a strong emphasis on social justice.
How do Villanova and Fordham compare in terms of location and surrounding area?

Villanova is located in a suburban setting in Villanova, Pennsylvania, offering a more peaceful and residential environment. Fordham has two main campuses in New York City: Rose Hill in the Bronx, a more traditional campus setting, and Lincoln Center in Manhattan, which is fully integrated into the city. The location significantly impacts the student experience, with Fordham offering unparalleled access to NYC's resources.
What are the popular majors at Villanova and Fordham?

Villanova is known for its strong programs in business (Villanova School of Business), engineering, nursing, and liberal arts. Fordham is well-regarded for its programs in law, business, communications, political science, and the humanities. Both universities offer a wide range of undergraduate and graduate programs.
What are the career opportunities like after graduating from Villanova and Fordham?

Both Villanova and Fordham offer strong career services and alumni networks. Villanova graduates often find opportunities in the Philadelphia area and beyond, particularly in business, engineering, and healthcare. Fordham graduates benefit from the university's location in New York City, with access to a wide range of industries, including finance, media, law, and the arts. The specific career paths will depend on your major and career goals.
How do the student demographics compare between Villanova and Fordham?

While both universities attract a diverse student body, Fordham tends to have a slightly more diverse student population due to its location in New York City. Villanova's student body is also diverse, but may have a higher percentage of students from the Mid-Atlantic region. It's best to consult the official university websites for the most up-to-date demographic information.
What is the average class size at Villanova and Fordham?

Both Villanova and Fordham strive to maintain relatively small class sizes to foster a more personalized learning environment. While class sizes can vary depending on the program and course level, you can generally expect smaller class sizes in upper-level courses and honors programs at both universities. Check specific department websites for more detailed information.
How do the athletic programs compare at Villanova and Fordham?

Villanova is a Division I school with a strong basketball program, known for its national championships. Fordham is also a Division I school, competing in the Patriot League for most sports. Both universities offer a variety of varsity and club sports, providing opportunities for student-athletes to compete at a high level.

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.

Fordham

Chapman University