How to Get Into Villanova: Acceptance Rate & Strategies

June 20, 2025

villanova acceptance rate

Sometimes a college鈥檚 growing athletic prowess can catapult its popularity, enhance its academic reputation, and lead to an increase in selectivity. Such is the case with Villanova University, a private, Catholic institution located in the posh Main Line suburbs of Philadelphia. ‘Nova鈥檚 propelled the once-regional institution into the national spotlight; that same team鈥檚 titles in 2016 and 2018 helped the university reach a new stratosphere of selectivity. In fact, applications to the university have increased by 30% in one recent five-year period鈥攁nd the Villanova University acceptance rate, which was close to 50% as recently as 2014, has dropped as low as 20% in recent years.

Given that the process of gaining acceptance into Villanova becomes increasingly challenging with each passing year, this blog is designed to provide you with data on:

  • Try our highly accurate personalized Villanova admissions calculator
  • Villanova acceptance rate
  • Villanova鈥檚 Early Decision acceptance rate
  • SAT, ACT, GPA, and class rank of accepted Villanova applicants
  • Admissions trends for the Class of 2029
  • The demographics of current Villanova undergraduates
  • Villanova’s yield rate
  • How Villanova admissions officers evaluate candidates
  • Tips for applying to Villanova
  • ‘Nova essay prompts
  • How to assess whether applying to Villanova is even worth the $80 application fee (for you)

Villanova University Admissions Calculator

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Villanova Acceptance Rate 鈥 Class of 2029

The University received 26,311 applications for its 2025-26 freshman class. In targeting a class size of 1,770 students, the Villanova acceptance rate was 27.4%. This mark was slightly higher than last year’s.

Historically, Villanova acceptance rates are as follows:

Applicants Admits Acceptance Rate
Class of 2028 23,842 5,602 23.5%
Class of 2027 23,721 4,863 20.5%
Class of 2026 23,835 5,576 23%
Class of 2025 24,410 6,162 25%

Villanova Early Decision Acceptance Rate

In putting together the Class of 2027 (most recent statistics available), the university accepted 820 of 1,657 ED applicants. This means that the Villanova Early Decision acceptance rate is 49%. Clearly, applying ED gives students a massive edge in the admissions process at this institution.

Villanova offers both ED I and ED II, with November 1 and January 15 deadlines.

What GPA do you need to get into Villanova?

Among the enrolled Class of 2028, the average weighted GPA was 4.19-4.54. The mid-50% unweighted GPA was 3.87 to 4.10.

What class rank do you need to get accepted to Villanova?

An incredible 87% of the Class of 2029 placed in the top 10% of their graduating high school class. Moreover, 93% ranked in the top half of their graduating class. (Only 2.2% were in the botoom quarter of their high school graduating class.)

What is the minimum SAT or ACT score for Villanova?

For the incoming Class of 2029, the mid-50% SAT range (when reported) was 1450-1520. Additionally, the mid-50% ACT was 33-35.

Admissions Trends & Notes – Class of 2029

  • The 26,311 applications received was notably higher than the previous cycle.
  • 54% of those admitted to the Class of 2029 applied test-optional.
  • Continuing on that subject, ‘Nova will remain test-optional through the Class of 2030.
  • Class of 2028 students were admitted from 49 states and 58 countries.
  • 83% of Class of 2029 students were involved in community service, 66% held paying jobs, 36% were involved in the arts, and 80% played sports.

Who Gets Into Villanova University?

Let鈥檚 look at the demographics of Villanova undergraduates:

Geographically, the breakdown of the Class of 2026 (most recent statistics available) is as follows:

  • Mid-Atlantic: 992
  • New England: 318
  • Midwest: 139
  • South: 121
  • West: 98
  • Other U.S.: 35

As with all selective colleges, those from lower-populated, more remote areas of the country (e.g. Wyoming, South Dakota, and Alaska) enjoy a boost to their admissions prospects.

In a recent year, only 2% of undergrads were international students. Out of the 42 countries represented in the undergraduate student body, the most heavily represented were:

  1. China
  2. Vietnam
  3. Canada
  4. India
  5. Nigeria

Looking at ethnic identity, the breakdown of the Class of 2026 was as follows:

  • Asian: 8%
  • Hispanic: 13%
  • African American: 6%
  • Two or more races: 4%
  • White: 66%

The breakdown by gender of the Class of 2026 reveals 2% more female students than males.

  • Male: 49%
  • Female: 51%

Historically, the majority of students at Villanova identify as Catholic. Here is a complete look at the religious affiliation amongst undergrads at this school:

  • Catholic: 71%
  • Protestant: 9%
  • Jewish: 1%
  • Hindu: 1%
  • No Preference: 5%
  • Unknown: 7%

Nova鈥檚 Yield Rate

Villanova University鈥檚 yield rate 鈥 the percentage of accepted students who elect to enroll, divided by the total number of students who are admitted 鈥 is 30%. For comparison, schools like Stanford and Harvard were over 80%, and the University of Chicago, MIT, and Yale all sported 70%+ yield rates. Villanova also finished behind other comparable institutions such as Boston College and Georgetown.

How Villanova Rates Applicants

Villanova ranks only two factors as being 鈥渧ery important鈥 to their admissions process: rigor of secondary school record and GPA. On the other hand, rated as 鈥渋mportant鈥 are: essays, recommendations, extracurricular activities, talent/ability, character/personal qualities, and volunteer work. Finally, 鈥渃onsidered鈥 factors are: class rank, standardized test scores, first-generation status, legacy status, race/ethnicity, geographic residence, state residency, and the level of an applicant鈥檚 demonstrated interest.

In the words of Villanova admissions officers themselves, they are seeking students who are 鈥渋ntellectually inspired, morally grounded, and globally minded鈥 and those who have the capacity to be change-makers, chance-takers, and difference-makers. In evaluating your application, the committee promises to take 鈥渁 holistic approach to reviewing applicants to our undergraduate programs. When we read your application we will consider the complete picture – including your academic performance and rigor, activities outside the classroom, recommendations, essays, life experiences and, if reported, test scores. We want to learn who you are as a student and as a person.鈥

Tips for Applying to Villanova

If you plan on joining the 26,000+ Wildcat hopefuls for the next admissions cycle, you should know the following:

  • There are no interviews offered through the university. As such, you鈥檒l need to use the essays and recommendations to forge a personal connection with an admissions officer.
  • Villanova does consider 鈥demonstrated interest鈥 so it is critical that you initiate contact with the admissions office, connect through social media, and visit campus or meet Villanova reps at college fairs near you.
  • Although Villanova is test-optional and will continue to be for the next two years, note that just under half of enrolled students submitted test scores.
  • In addition to the Common App essay, make sure to dedicate sufficient time and effort to the supplemental essays required by Villanova University. In the 2025-26 cycle, the instructions/prompts were as follows:

For the Villanova-specific essay, we hope to gain a deeper understanding of your thoughts, experiences, and opinions. Choose one of the five topics below and submit a written response in about 250 words.

  • St. Augustine states that well-being is 鈥渘ot concerned with myself alone, but with my neighbor鈥檚 good as well.鈥 How have you advocated for equity and justice in your communities?聽
  • What is a lesson in life that you have learned that you would want to share with others at Villanova?鈥
  • “Villanova” means “new home.” Why do you want to call Villanova your new home?
  • As an Augustinian community, we value recognizing individuals for their true selves. Please share with us a time when you were misjudged based on your identity, background, experiences or interests.
  • At Villanova, we often say “each of us strengthens all of us.” Please detail a time when someone has borrowed some of your strength in their time of need.

For specific advice on how to address each one of these prompts, visit our blog: Villanova University Essay Prompts and Tips.

Should I apply to Villanova?

With Villanova growing increasingly more selective pretty much every year, you will likely need to possess strong SAT/ACT scores, close to a 4.0 weighted GPA, and earn a place in the top 10% of your high school class. Applying ED will provide a sizable edge if you find yourself 鈥渙n the cusp鈥 from an admissions standpoint.

Villanova University Acceptance Rate – Final Thoughts

All college-bound teens need to make sure that they build an appropriate college list that contains a good mix of 鈥渢arget鈥 and 鈥渟afety鈥 schools. You鈥檒l definitely want to do this in conjunction with an admissions professional (including your own high school counselor). For more, revisit our blog entitled: How Many Colleges Should I Apply to?