Villanova Admission Requirements

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  • Villanova, PA
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Villanova Admission Overview

Villanova admission requirements are highly competitive, with one of the lowest admission rates in Pennsylvania. Last year Villanova admitted 27% of applicants. Enrolled freshmen typically had about a 3.87 GPA (A) and SAT 1395-1510 / ACT 32-34. Villanova is test-optional, so you choose whether to send SAT or ACT. Those figures describe last year's class, not a score you must hit.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Villanova Acceptance Rate

Admission Rate & Difficulty

Acceptance rate

27%

Admission Standards

Exceptional

Applicant Competition

High

Very Low
Low
Average
High
Very High
Extreme

Admission difficulty for Villanova University

Acceptance Rate

The Villanova acceptance rate is 27%. Last year, only 6,274 of 23,256 applicants were admitted. That is the 7th lowest acceptance rate in Pennsylvania and the 96th lowest in the nation.

Admission Selectivity

How hard is it to get into Villanova and can you get accepted?

Villanova is a highly competitive school to get into, admitting fewer than half of applicants. You have a moderate chance of acceptance if you meet last year's profile.

Villanova University typically attracts "A" average high school students with an average GPA around 3.87. Most incoming freshmen graduate in the top ten percent of their high school class or better. 28% of those admitted chose to enroll.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Villanova GPA

GPA of enrolled freshmen

Avg. High School GPA

3.87

Typical High School Grades

A

Average GPA (4.0 Scale) 3.87

0.0 1.0 2.0 3.0 4.0

Average GPA

Enrolled freshmen at Villanova typically have around a 3.87 GPA (A) on a 4.0 scale. That is last year's class average, not a cutoff. Enrolled students typically have exceptionally good grades. Villanova is test-optional. If you withhold SAT or ACT, GPA carries more weight.

33% of enrolled freshmen had a 4.0. The school ranks #5 in Pennsylvania for highest average GPA.

See additional colleges accepting applicants in the 3.9 GPA range.

Competitiveness by GPA Ranges

Share of last year's freshmen in each GPA range, compared with the rest of the class.

High school GPA ranges for enrolled Villanova University freshmen
High School GPA Freshmen Within Range Competitiveness
4.0 32.78% Good
3.75 to 3.99 39.0% Avg
3.50 to 3.74 21.16% Reach
3.25 to 3.49 6.22% Reach
3.00 to 3.24 0.41% Reach
2.50 to 2.99 0.41% Reach
2.00 to 2.49 0% Reach
1.00 to 1.99 0% Reach
less than 1.00 0% Reach

What do these figures mean?

GPA Data Source, Peterson's Data 2024

Villanova Test Policy

Test Submission Requirements

Villanova University is test-optional for first-year applicants through the 2026-27 admission campaign (Class of 2031 / fall 2027). Applicants may submit official or self-reported SAT or ACT scores; students who enroll after self-reporting must send official scores. Homeschooled applicants who were homeschooled for more than one full academic year must submit SAT or ACT scores. Villanova superscores SAT and ACT subscores across test dates.

Cycle: 2026-27. Source: https://www.villanova.edu/university/undergraduate-admission/applying-to-villanova/first-year-applicants.html

Villanova SAT Scores

SAT scores of enrolled freshmen

SAT Range

1395-1510

Freshmen who sent SAT

19%

25th Percentile Scores

  • Reading 685
  • Math 710
  • Composite 1395
SAT 25th percentile scores for Villanova University

75th Percentile Scores

  • Reading 740
  • Math 770
  • Composite 1510
SAT 75th percentile scores for Villanova University

Average SAT

Enrolled testers at Villanova typically score around a 1450 SAT (middle 50% 1395–1510) out of 1600. That is last year's class, not a cutoff. The average SAT of enrolled testers is about the 98th percentile nationally. Villanova ranks #5 in the state of Pennsylvania and #70 in the nation for highest average SAT composite score.

SAT Range (25th-75th Percentile) 1395 to 1510

800 1000 1200 1400 1600

SAT policy

Villanova is test-optional. You choose whether to send SAT. If you send a score, it is considered.

View other colleges which accept students in the 1450 SAT score range.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

How SAT scores compare with last year's enrolled testers

This table compares SAT ranges with last year's enrolled testers and the school's acceptance rate. It is not a personal chance of admission. If you withhold SAT, skip this table.

SAT ranges vs last year's enrolled testers at Villanova University
SAT Score (1600 scale) Competitiveness Admission Chances
1510+ Above 75th >41%
1450 to 1510 Avg + 27%-41%
1395 to 1450 Avg - 16%-27%
Below 1395 Below mid-50 <16%

What do these figures mean?

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Villanova ACT Scores

ACT scores among enrolled freshmen

ACT Range

32-34

Freshmen reporting ACT

9%

25th Percentile Scores

  • English 33
  • Math 30
  • Composite 32
ACT 25th percentile scores for Villanova University

75th Percentile Scores

  • English 35
  • Math 34
  • Composite 34
ACT 75th percentile scores for Villanova University

Average ACT

Incoming testers at Villanova typically have around a 33 ACT (mid-50 32–34) on the 36 scale. That reflects last year's enrolled testers, not a cutoff. That average sits near the 98th percentile of ACT takers nationwide. Villanova places #5 among colleges in Pennsylvania and #53 nationwide for highest average ACT composite.

ACT Range (25th-75th Percentile) 32 to 34

1 9 18 27 36

ACT policy

You may apply to Villanova without ACT. A score you do send is still reviewed.

See colleges with similar ACT profiles in the 33.0 ACT score range.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

How ACT scores compare with last year's enrolled testers

This table compares ACT ranges with last year's enrolled testers and the school's acceptance rate. They are not your individual odds. If you leave ACT off your application, you can skip this table.

ACT bands compared with last year's enrolled testers at Villanova University
ACT Score (36 scale) Competitiveness Admission Chances
34+ Above 75th >41%
33 to 34 Avg + 27%-41%
32 to 33 Avg - 16%-27%
Below 32 Below mid-50 <16%

How to read these figures

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

High School Class Rank

Class Rank of Admitted Students

70% of Villanova University freshman are in the top ten percent of their high school graduating class. For your application to be competitive, you need to graduate at the top of your class.

High School Class Rank for admitted Villanova University students
High School Class Rank Freshmen Within Range
Top 10% of class 70%
Top 25% of class 92%
Top 50% of class 99%

Data Source, Peterson's Data

Estimate How You Compare

See how your GPA and scores compare with last year's enrolled testers. You can mark that you will withhold scores.

Open the Villanova chances calculator

Applying

Admission Statistics

Admission and enrollment rates by gender are detailed in the table below.

Villanova University admission statistics
Women Men Total
Applied 13,046 10,207 23,256
Accepted 3,450 2,823 6,274
Acceptance Rate 26% 28% 27%
Enrolled 967 773 1,740
Percent of Admitted Who Enrolled (Admission Yield) 28% 27% 28%

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Application Requirements

What are the requirements for admission to Villanova University and what student information is used for admission decisions?

Villanova University application requirements
Requirement Used for Admission
Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
High School GPA Required to be considered for admission
High School Class Rank Not required for admission, but considered if submitted
Completion of College Preparatory Program Required to be considered for admission
Recommendations Required to be considered for admission
Demonstration of Competencies Not considered for admission, even if submitted

Test scores: school admissions site, 2026-27. Other fields: IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Fall 2027 Application Deadline

Applications Due

Jan 15, 2027

Days left to Apply

137

Applicants have 137 days left until the Fall 2027 term applications are due on Jan 15, 2027.

Application Fee

The cost for prospective students to apply to Villanova University is $80.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Credits Accepted

High school credits accepted at Villanova University
Credit Type Accepted
AP Credit Yes
Dual Credit Yes
Credit for Life Experiences No

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Admission summary

Villanova is test-optional for 2026-27. Last year it admitted 27% of applicants. Enrolled freshmen typically had about a 3.87 GPA (about an A average). Send SAT/ACT if you are at or above this campus mid-50 (1395-1510); otherwise withhold. Mid-50 scores, where shown, are enrolled testers, not cutoffs.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Other Colleges to Apply To

Students applying to Villanova University often consider these colleges

Data source: NCES / IPEDS https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=216597.

GPA calculator: Villanova University GPA calculator.

Last updated: August 2026