Augustinian friars founded Villanova in 1842 on the Main Line, a string of suburbs west of Philadelphia. It is the oldest Catholic university in Pennsylvania. The Villanova School of Business, engineering and the Fitzpatrick College of Nursing are its best-known schools, and the Wildcats' two recent NCAA basketball titles made the name familiar far beyond the region. Regional rail stops right on campus.
Villanova, Pennsylvania, United States
Official website: villanova.edu
1842
Private Catholic (Augustinian) university
Villanova School of Business
Philadelphia's Main Line
$36,000 – $68,000
International students, master's to undergraduate full-time
$17,000 – $22,000
Rent, food and local transport
Approximate figures for 2026-27, please verify. Fees change every year and vary by course, so check the latest amount on villanova.edu before you apply.
BS Business Administration
Bachelors DegreeDuration
48 Months
Intake
Aug
Exam Score
IELTS: 7.0, TOEFL: 100
BS Mechanical Engineering
Bachelors DegreeDuration
48 Months
Intake
Aug
Exam Score
IELTS: 7.0, TOEFL: 100
BS Nursing
Bachelors DegreeDuration
48 Months
Intake
Aug
Exam Score
IELTS: 7.0, TOEFL: 100
MS Business Analytics
Masters DegreeDuration
12 Months
Intake
Aug
Exam Score
IELTS: 7.0, TOEFL: 100
MS Computer Science
Masters DegreeDuration
24 Months
Intake
Aug, Jan
Exam Score
IELTS: 6.5, TOEFL: 80
A business school with strong placement in finance and consulting.
The oldest Catholic university in Pennsylvania.
A train station on campus with direct service to Philadelphia.
Business graduates join banks, accounting firms and consultancies in Philadelphia and New York.
Nursing and engineering graduates are hired by hospitals and firms across the Northeast.
STEM graduates can apply for up to three years of OPT.
Undergrad
15 Jan 2027
Postgrad
Rolling
Undergrad
No UG intake
Postgrad
Limited programmes
The campus has a stone church at its centre, residence halls on the south side and an arena for basketball. Undergraduates are guaranteed housing for several years.
The Main Line is leafy and expensive. SEPTA's Paoli/Thorndale line runs from the campus station to Center City Philadelphia in about 30 minutes.
Form I-20 issued by Villanova University
Proof of funds for one academic year
SEVIS I-901 fee payment receipt
Completed DS-160 online application
US embassy or consulate interview
Passport valid six months beyond stay
Early Decision and Early Action close around 1 November. Regular Decision closes around 15 January 2027. Graduate programmes set their own rolling deadlines, usually a few months before term.
Undergraduates start in late August. Some graduate programmes also accept students in January.
You'll need an F-1 visa. Once you accept your offer and send proof of funding, Villanova University issues the Form I-20. After that it's the SEVIS fee, the DS-160 form and an interview at a US embassy or consulate.
Business, engineering, nursing, business analytics and computer science are popular. Undergraduate admission is selective and looks at grades, essays and activities. Graduate programmes need a relevant bachelor's degree and TOEFL or IELTS scores.
Villanova offers merit scholarships to a small number of undergraduates and limited need-based aid to international students. Graduate students may find partial scholarships or assistantships in their department.
