Villanova, PA · Private University
Is Villanova University Worth It?
ROI analysis based on real earnings and cost data
Key Numbers
10-Year Earnings
$100,423
median, 10 years after enrollment
In-State Tuition
$64,701
per year
Out-of-State Tuition
$64,701
per year
Total 4-Year Cost
$258,804
tuition only (4 years)
ROI Ratio
1.55x
earnings ÷ annual tuition
Payback Period
4 yrs
years to recoup total cost
Graduation Rate
92.4%
6-year graduation rate
Median Debt
$25,874
at graduation
Avg Net Price
$44,876
after aid & scholarships
Earnings vs. Annual Cost
10-year median earnings compared to annual tuition
Villanova University graduates earn $55,423 more than the national median of workers with any education level.
What You'd Actually Pay
Average net price after grants and scholarships, by family income
Source: IPEDS net price data. Actual costs vary based on individual financial circumstances.
Highest-Earning Majors
Top programs at Villanova University ranked by graduate earnings
42 graduates
38 graduates
247 graduates
24 graduates
16 graduates
Earnings shown are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 1-year medians.
ROI by Major at Villanova University
All available majors ranked by graduate earnings — your major matters as much as your school.
Your major matters more than your school
At Villanova University, the gap between the highest-earning major (Business/Managerial Economics: $122,309) and the lowest (History: $27,882) is $94,427/yr — bigger than the difference between many schools.
| Major | Earnings | ROI |
|---|---|---|
| Business/Managerial EconomicsBest ROI | $122,309 | 1.9x |
| Computer Engineering | $111,769 | 1.7x |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | $110,166 | 1.7x |
| Real Estate | $101,813 | 1.6x |
| Management Information Systems and Services | $100,271 | 1.6x |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $91,997 | 1.4x |
| Chemical Engineering | $91,386 | 1.4x |
| Accounting and Related Services | $91,268 | 1.4x |
| Mechanical Engineering | $91,256 | 1.4x |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General | $89,645 | 1.4x |
| Economics | $88,087 | 1.4x |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $87,471 | 1.4x |
| International Business | $86,976 | 1.3x |
| Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering | $86,457 | 1.3x |
| Mathematics | $84,324 | 1.3x |
| Marketing | $79,586 | 1.2x |
| Civil Engineering | $78,003 | 1.2x |
| Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods(1yr data) | $76,606 | 1.2x |
| Political Science and Government | $72,272 | 1.1x |
| Biology, General | $70,311 | 1.1x |
| Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics | $69,309 | 1.1x |
| English Language and Literature, General | $64,967 | 1.0x |
| Communication and Media Studies | $61,471 | 0.9x |
| Psychology, General | $57,566 | 0.9x |
| Natural Resources Conservation and Research(1yr data) | $56,549 | 0.9x |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | $56,373 | 0.9x |
| Research and Experimental Psychology(1yr data) | $39,218 | 0.6x |
| HistoryLowest(1yr data) | $27,882 | 0.4x |
Earnings are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 5-year or 1-year. ROI = earnings ÷ annual tuition.
How It Compares
ROI at similar schools
| School | ROI Ratio | Earnings | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| Villanova University | 1.55x | $100,423 | Good ROI |
| Lehigh University | 1.70x | $105,584 | Good ROI |
| Boston College | 1.54x | $103,937 | Good ROI |
| Georgetown University | 1.59x | $103,494 | Good ROI |
| Case Western Reserve University | 1.36x | $87,989 | Average ROI |
| Bucknell University | 1.45x | $93,807 | Average ROI |
The Bottom Line
Villanova University offers solid financial returns relative to its cost. Graduates earn $100,423 10 years after starting — $55,423 above the national median of $45,000. The investment pays for itself in roughly 4 years — faster than most colleges.
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Earnings data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Tuition data from IPEDS. ROI calculations are for informational purposes only and reflect median outcomes.