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Villanova University vs Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania

Villanova University is a private university in Villanova, PA. Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania is a public university in Bloomsburg, PA. Villanova University admits about 27% of applicants and Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania about 93%, making Villanova University the harder of the two to get into. Students pay an average of about $15,699 a year at Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania after aid, and about $43,756 at Villanova University. About 92% of students graduate at Villanova University, compared with 54% at Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania. Ten years after enrolling, Villanova University alumni earn a median of about $100,423, against $52,416 for Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania.

Villanova University

Villanova, PA · Private

Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania

Bloomsburg, PA · Public
At a glance
Type
Private
Public
Location
Villanova, PA
Bloomsburg, PA
Setting
Suburban
Suburban
Undergraduates
6,938
9,210
Acceptance rate
27%
93%
Admissions
GPA (admitted)
3.51–4
3.16–3.66
SAT (middle 50%)
1395–1510
990–1190
ACT (middle 50%)
32–34
18–25
Test policy
Test optional
Test optional
Cost
Avg net price / yr
$43,756
$15,699
Full cost / yr
$84,793
$25,161
In-state tuition
$67,776
$11,046
Out-of-state tuition
$67,776
$22,870
Application fee
$80
$25
Net price by family income
Family income under $30k
$17,823
$11,374
$30k - $48k
$16,496
$11,370
$48k - $75k
$20,923
$13,877
$75k - $110k
$33,389
$17,989
Over $110k
$58,741
$20,099
Outcomes
Graduation rate
92%
54%
Freshman retention
95%
78%
Median earnings (6 yr)
$84,905
$44,053
Median earnings (10 yr)
$100,423
$52,416
Median debt at graduation
$25,874
$26,000
Student body
Pell grant recipients
12%
32%
First-generation students
13%
34%
International students
2%
0%
Deadlines
Early decision
Nov 1
Not reported
Early action
Nov 1
Not reported
Regular decision
Jan 15
Rolling

Net price is the average across aided students (U.S. College Scorecard). Your actual cost and admission odds depend on your profile. Take the free Matchmaker for your own numbers.

Frequently asked questions
Is Villanova University or Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania harder to get into?
Villanova University is harder to get into. It admits about 27% of applicants, compared with 93% at Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania. Your own odds and price depend on your profile, so take Blueprint's free Matchmaker to see your numbers at both.
Which is cheaper, Villanova University or Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania?
Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania is cheaper on average. Students pay about $15,699 a year after grants and scholarships, against about $43,756 at Villanova University. Your own odds and price depend on your profile, so take Blueprint's free Matchmaker to see your numbers at both.
What is the full cost of attendance at Villanova University and Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania?
Before aid, Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania costs about $25,161 a year and Villanova University about $84,793. That is the sticker price; most students pay less once grants and scholarships are applied.
Which is cheaper for a family earning under $30,000, Villanova University or Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania?
Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania. Families earning under $30,000 a year pay about $11,374 there, against about $17,823 at Villanova University. Aid is income-tested, so this can differ from the average price and from the sticker price.
Which is bigger, Villanova University or Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania?
Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania is the larger of the two, with about 9,210 undergraduates against 6,938 at Villanova University.
Does Villanova University or Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania have a better graduation rate?
Villanova University has the higher graduation rate, at about 92% against 54% at Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania.
Do graduates of Villanova University or Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania earn more?
Villanova University alumni earn more on average: a median of about $100,423 ten years after enrolling, against about $52,416 for Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania. Earnings vary far more by major than by school.
Do Villanova University and Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania require SAT or ACT scores?
Villanova University is test optional, so scores are considered only if you choose to send them. Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania is test optional, so scores are considered only if you choose to send them.
What SAT scores do Villanova University and Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania look for?
The middle 50% of admitted students score 1395–1510 at Villanova University and 990–1190 at Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania. A quarter of admitted students scored below those ranges.

Related comparisons

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