Villanova University vs UDenver

Villanova University and University of Denver, both esteemed institutions of higher learning, offer distinct educational experiences. Villanova, a private Catholic university in Pennsylvania, boasts a lower acceptance rate and a higher graduation rate compared to the University of Denver, a private research university in Colorado. While Villanova's student body is predominantly undergraduate, Denver's is more evenly distributed between undergraduate and graduate programs. In terms of popular majors, Villanova excels in business, engineering, and nursing, while Denver shines in business, engineering, and international studies. 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.

	University of Denver	Villanova University
Overview
Location	Denver, Colorado	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	Quarter	Semester
Degrees offered	Undergraduate and Graduate	Undergraduate and Graduate
Students retention rate	84.0%	96.0%
Common app member	Yes	Yes
Religious affiliation		Catholic

Admission
Acceptance rate	63.6%	25.2%
Application fees	Undergraduate: $65 Graduate: $65	Undergraduate: $80 Graduate: $50
SAT range	1200 - 1390	1350 - 1490
ACT range	27 - 31	31 - 34
Students submitting SAT score	24.0%	28.0%
Students submitting ACT score	27.0%	17.0%
Total number of applicants	22,694	24,410
Total number of admissions given out	14,440	6,162
Admitted students who chose to enroll	1,621	1,772
Yield rate	11.2%	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	$73,514	$77,806
Average net price	$39,973	$33,123
Tuition	$53,640	$58,290
Room & board	Room/dormitory: $9,262 Meal plan: $5,412	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)	98.0% Average amount $31,672	52.0% Average amount $43,106
Students receiving federal student loan	38.0% Average amount $5,173	34.0% Average amount $5,267
Students taking out private loans	5.0% Average amount $21,978	7.0% Average amount $29,933

Students and Campus
Undergraduate students	5,867 Men 44.8% Women 55.2%	7,032 Men 45.6% Women 54.4%
Graduate students	8,263 Men 33.8% Women 66.2%	3,838 Men 46.6% Women 53.4%
Racial/ethnic diversity	Low	Low
Out-of-state students	71.9%	80.7%
International students	4.1%	3.6%
Campus local/setting	City: Large	Suburb: Large
Dormitory capacity	2,647	5,400
First year students are required to live on campus?	No	No
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from	Colorado California Illinois Texas Minnesota	New Jersey Pennsylvania New York Connecticut Maryland

Academics
Popular study areas	Business Public Administration and Social Service Psychology Computer and Information Science Legal Profession	Business Engineering Health Professions Legal Profession Public Administration and Social Service
Students to faculty ratio	10:1	11:1
Institutional accreditation	Higher Learning Commission	Middle States Commission on Higher Education

Outcome
Graduation rate	75.7%	91.3%
Dropout rate	23.5%	1.5%
Transferred out	N/A	7.2%
Alumni salary by major (Top 10)	Business/Commerce, General (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $87,503 Year 2: $86,129 Year 3: $98,717 Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology (Doctoral Degrees) Year 1: $66,126 Year 2: $69,338 Year 3: $86,073 Taxation (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $67,750 Year 2: $66,104 Year 3: $85,588 Legal Research and Advanced Professional Studies (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $62,915 Year 2: $64,493 Year 3: $78,170 Educational Administration and Supervision (Graduate/Professional Certificates) Year 1: $70,020 Year 2: $72,667 Year 3: $77,585 Human Resources Management and Services (Master's Degrees) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $66,104 Year 3: $75,452 Law (First Professional Degrees) Year 1: $57,899 Year 2: $60,704 Year 3: $73,790 Computer and Information Sciences, General (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $74,139 Year 2: $73,949 Year 3: $73,641 Accounting and Related Services (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $60,983 Year 2: $62,632 Year 3: $73,152 Mechanical Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $62,647 Year 2: $65,905 Year 3: $72,754	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 the University of Denver?

Villanova University, located in Pennsylvania, is a private, Catholic, Augustinian university known for its strong sense of community and emphasis on undergraduate education. The University of Denver (DU), situated in Colorado, is a private research university with a more secular focus and a strong emphasis on graduate programs alongside its undergraduate offerings. Villanova tends to have a more traditional campus feel, while DU offers a more urban experience with closer proximity to a major city.
How do the academic reputations of Villanova and DU compare?

Both Villanova and DU are highly regarded academic institutions. Villanova is particularly well-known for its business, engineering, and nursing programs. The University of Denver excels in areas like international studies, business, law, and social work. Both universities attract academically strong students, but their specific areas of academic strength differ slightly.
What is the campus environment like at Villanova versus DU?

Villanova offers a classic, suburban campus environment with a strong emphasis on tradition and community. Its Catholic identity plays a significant role in campus life. The University of Denver provides a more modern, urban-influenced campus experience. While DU also fosters a strong sense of community, it's less centered around a specific religious affiliation and more focused on diverse perspectives and global engagement.
How do the locations of Villanova and DU impact student life?

Villanova's location in suburban Pennsylvania provides a quieter, more focused academic environment with easy access to Philadelphia. The University of Denver's location in Denver, Colorado, offers students access to a vibrant city with numerous cultural, recreational, and professional opportunities, as well as the Rocky Mountains for outdoor activities.
What are the typical class sizes and student-to-faculty ratios at each university?

Both Villanova and DU pride themselves on offering a personalized learning experience. Villanova generally has slightly smaller class sizes, with a student-to-faculty ratio around 11:1. The University of Denver's student-to-faculty ratio is also competitive, typically around 12:1. Both universities prioritize faculty accessibility and student engagement.
What types of students are typically drawn to Villanova versus DU?

Villanova tends to attract students who value a strong sense of community, a Catholic-based education, and a traditional college experience. The University of Denver appeals to students seeking a more diverse and globally-oriented environment, with a strong emphasis on experiential learning and access to urban and outdoor opportunities.
How do the costs of attending Villanova and DU compare?

Both Villanova and the University of Denver are private universities, and their tuition costs are comparable. However, the overall cost of attendance can vary depending on factors like room and board, personal expenses, and financial aid packages. It's essential to compare the specific financial aid offers from each institution to determine the most affordable option.
What are the popular majors at Villanova and the University of Denver?

At Villanova, popular majors include Business Administration, Engineering, Nursing, and Liberal Arts. At the University of Denver, popular majors include Business, International Studies, Social Sciences, and Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences. Both universities offer a wide range of programs, but these are some of their most sought-after fields of study.
What are the athletic programs like at Villanova and DU?

Villanova is a Division I school with a strong basketball program, known for its national championships. It also has competitive programs in other sports like football, lacrosse, and track and field. The University of Denver is also a Division I school, particularly strong in hockey and skiing. Both universities offer a variety of athletic opportunities for students, both as participants and spectators.
What are the career services and internship opportunities like at Villanova and DU?

Both Villanova and the University of Denver offer comprehensive career services to help students prepare for their future careers. Villanova benefits from its proximity to Philadelphia and strong alumni network in the Northeast. The University of Denver leverages its location in Denver and its connections to industries in the Rocky Mountain region. Both universities actively promote internship opportunities and career development programs.

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