Meredith vs. Villanova

Comparable Facts

Compare Meredith College in Raleigh, NC with Villanova University in Villanova, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Villanova University is larger than Meredith based on total student enrollment (10,041 students vs. 1,465 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Meredith College is located in Raleigh, NC (Large City setting); Villanova University is in Villanova, PA (Large Suburban setting).
• Meredith College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Villanova University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Meredith College 10:1; Villanova University 10:1.

Meredith vs. Villanova Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Meredith or Villanova? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Meredith College than Villanova ($24,323 vs. $37,201).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Meredith College are 24.9% lower than at Villanova University ($13,280 vs. $17,694).
• Villanova University is 48.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than Meredith (about $22,146 more per year; $67,776.00 vs. $45,630.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 48.5% higher at Villanova than at Meredith College (about $22,146 more per year; $67,776.00 vs. $45,630.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Meredith College than at Villanova University (100% vs. 48%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Villanova University students is 43.8% larger than aid received by Meredith College students ($47,609 vs. $33,116).

Meredith vs. Villanova Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Meredith or Villanova? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Villanova and Meredith.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Villanova University (1450) is 230 points higher than at Meredith (1220).
• Incoming Villanova students have a 7 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (33 vs. 26 at Meredith).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Meredith College 1098/1348; Villanova University 1395/1510.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Meredith College 23/29; Villanova University 32/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Meredith - Test optional; Villanova - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Meredith Feb 15, 2027; Villanova Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Villanova students have a 0.35 point higher average high school GPA (3.87) than students at Meredith (3.52).
• Meredith has a higher acceptance rate (74.2%) than Villanova (27%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 18.5% at Meredith vs. 27.7% at Villanova.

Meredith vs. Villanova Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Meredith and Villanova? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Villanova University's six-year graduation rate (90%) is higher than Meredith College's (59%).
• Graduates from Villanova University earn a median of about $45,100 more per year than Meredith graduates about ten years after starting college ($85,100 vs. $40,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Meredith College graduates have a $497 lower median loan debt than Villanova graduates ($26,000 vs. $26,497).
• Among borrowers, Meredith graduates have an estimated $5 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Villanova graduates ($268 vs. $273).
• More Villanova graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Meredith students, three years after graduation. (90% vs. 65%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.