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Villanova University

Updated: 12/10/2025, 9:00:57 PM Wikipedia source

Villanova University is a private Catholic research university in Villanova, Pennsylvania, United States. It was founded by the Order of Saint Augustine in 1842 and named after Saint Thomas of Villanova. The university is the oldest Catholic university in Pennsylvania and one of two Augustinian institutions of higher learning in the United States (the other being Merrimack College). The university traces its roots to the old Saint Augustine's Church, Philadelphia, which the Augustinian friars of the Province of Saint Thomas of Villanova founded in 1796, and to its parish school, Saint Augustine's Academy, which was established in 1811. It is classified among "R2: Doctoral Universities – High research activity".

Infobox

Former names
Saint Augustine's Academy (1811–) Augustinian College of Villanova (1842–1953)
Motto
Veritas, Unitas, Caritas (Latin)
Motto in English
"Truth, Unity, Love"
Type
Private research university
Established
1842; 183 years ago (1842)
Founder
Order of Saint Augustine
Religious affiliation
Catholic (Augustinian)
Academic affiliations
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Endowment
$1.41 billion (2025)
President
Peter M. Donohue
Undergraduates
6,791
Postgraduates
3,108
Location
Villanova, 40°02′16″N 75°20′15″W / 40.03771°N 75.33755°W / 40.03771; -75.33755
Campus
Large suburb, 430 acres (170 ha)
Other campuses
Radnor
Newspaper
The Villanovan
Colors
Blue and white
Nickname
Wildcats
Sporting affiliations
NCAA Division I – Big EastBig 5CAA Football
Mascot
Will D. Cat (current)Count Villan (former)
Website
villanova.edu

Tables

Student body composition as of May 2, 2022 · Student life
White
White
Race and ethnicity
White
Total
72%
Hispanic
Hispanic
Race and ethnicity
Hispanic
Total
9%
Asian
Asian
Race and ethnicity
Asian
Total
6%
Black
Black
Race and ethnicity
Black
Total
5%
Other
Other
Race and ethnicity
Other
Total
4%
Foreign national
Foreign national
Race and ethnicity
Foreign national
Total
2%
Economic diversity
Economic diversity
Race and ethnicity
Economic diversity
Low-income
Low-income
Race and ethnicity
Low-income
Total
10%
Affluent
Affluent
Race and ethnicity
Affluent
Total
90%
Race and ethnicity
Total
White
72%
Hispanic
9%
Asian
6%
Black
5%
Other
4%
Foreign national
2%
Economic diversity
Low-income
10%
Affluent
90%

References

  1. Other consists of Multiracial Americans & those who prefer to not say.
  2. The percentage of students who received an income-based federal Pell grant intended for low-income students.
  3. The percentage of students who are a part of the American middle class at the bare minimum.
  4. As of FY2023 https://edge.sitecorecloud.io/nacubo1-nacubo-prd-dc8b/media/Nacubo/Documents/EndowmentFiles/2023-NCSE-Endow
    https://edge.sitecorecloud.io/nacubo1-nacubo-prd-dc8b/media/Nacubo/Documents/EndowmentFiles/2023-NCSE-Endowment-Market-Values-FINAL.xlsx
  5. "IPEDS – Villanova University"
    https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?q=Villanova&s=all&id=216597
  6. "Visual Identity Guidelines"
    https://www1.villanova.edu/villanova/unicommunication/brandguidelines/VisualIdentityGuidelines.html
  7. "Villanova University"
    https://villanova.com/sports/2018/6/18/trads-nova-mascot-html.aspx
  8. Contosta, David R., Villanova University, 1842–1992, Penn State University Press ISBN 9780271014593
  9. Patterson, Emma. "Villanova College in the 1890s", Radnor Historical Society, May 10, 1957
    https://radnorhistory.org/archive/articles/ytmt/?p=993
  10. Address by Dean of the Graduate School Gerald Long to incoming graduate students. August 24, 2008.
  11. Hoffman, Claire. "The History of Villanova", The Villanovan, July 22, 2017
    https://villanovan.com/6581/uncategorized/the-history-of-villanova/
  12. Villanova.edu
    https://web.archive.org/web/20070708233509/http://www.heritage.villanova.edu/history.html
  13. Malvern Preparatory School
    https://www.malvernprep.org/
  14. "Amidst the Depression and War, Progress Still Prevails"
    https://web.archive.org/web/20120406132413/http://heritage.villanova.edu/vu/heritage/allthings/2002SPh.htm
  15. "Villanova" 4267, Augnet
    http://www.augnet.org/en/history/places/4267-usa-villanova/
  16. The Villanovan
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  17. Bloomberg.com
    https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2023-06-26/villanova-to-take-over-campus-of-struggling-college-next-door?sref=CIpmV6x8
  18. Villanova University
    https://www1.villanova.edu/university/media/press-releases/2025/merger-agreement.html
  19. "2020 CENSUS - CENSUS BLOCK MAP: Villanova CDP, PA"
    https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/DC2020/DC20BLK/st42_pa/place/p4280248_villanova/DC20BLK_P4280248.pdf
  20. "2020 CENSUS - CENSUS BLOCK MAP: Radnor township, PA"
    https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/DC2020/DC20BLK/st42_pa/cousub/cs4204563264_radnor/DC20BLK_CS4204563264.pdf
  21. Villanova.edu
    https://web.archive.org/web/20070523165433/http://www.villanova.edu/enroll/admission/university/location.htm
  22. Villanovan (Villanova University)
    https://www.villanovan.com/vu-not-a-national-arboretum/article_7a72d15b-531e-53e3-be0a-e7397cb7414e.html
  23. The Villanovan
    https://media.www.villanovan.com/media/storage/paper581/news/2008/09/25/Features/Vu.Not.A.National.Arboretum-3450294.shtml
  24. "St. Thomas of Villanova church"
    https://web.archive.org/web/20090107210851/http://www.villanova.edu/homepage/artofvillanova/stvchurch.htm
  25. Villanova.edu
    http://www.villanova.edu/enroll/admission/virtualtour.htm
  26. ncsesdata.nsf.gov
    https://ncses.nsf.gov/pubs/nsf24308/table/21
  27. Forbes
    https://www.forbes.com/top-colleges/
  28. U.S. News & World Report
    https://www.usnews.com/best-colleges/rankings/national-universities
  29. Washington Monthly
    https://washingtonmonthly.com/2025-college-guide/best-colleges-for-your-tuition-and-tax-dollars/
  30. The Wall Street Journal/College Pulse
    https://www.wsj.com/rankings/college-rankings/best-colleges-2026
  31. U.S. News & World Report
    https://www.usnews.com/education/best-global-universities/rankings
  32. Washington Post
    https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/grade-point/wp/2016/02/04/in-new-sorting-of-colleges-dartmouth-falls-out-of-an-exclusive-group/
  33. "Villanova University Receives New Carnegie Classification Change, Signaling the University's Forward Momentum & Academic Strength"
    https://web.archive.org/web/20160408193525/http://www1.villanova.edu/villanova/media/pressreleases/2016/0203.html
  34. U.S. News & World Report
    https://web.archive.org/web/20110416015159/http://colleges.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/best-colleges/villanova-university-216597/overall-rankings
  35. "US News and World Report-- Villanova University Rankings"
    https://www.usnews.com/best-colleges/villanova-3388/overall-rankings
  36. Bloomberg Businessweek
    https://www.bloomberg.com/features/2016-best-undergrad-business-schools/
  37. Villanova.edu
    http://www.villanova.edu/business/assets/documents/newsmedia/ft2006.pdf
  38. "Villanova Law censured by ABA over admissions-data fraud, but retains accreditation"
    https://web.archive.org/web/20120106223821/http://articles.philly.com/2011-08-16/business/29892664_1_law-school-american-bar-association-lsat-scores
  39. U.S. News & World Report
    https://web.archive.org/web/20161024220459/http://colleges.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/best-colleges/villanova-3388
  40. www1.villanova.edu
    https://www1.villanova.edu/villanova/admission/overview/waystoapply.html
  41. www1.villanova.edu
    https://www1.villanova.edu/villanova/admission/overview/statistics.html
  42. The Villanovan
    https://web.archive.org/web/20190419161624/http://www.villanovan.com/news/university-partners-with-the-posse-foundation-and-philadelphia-futures/article_1b52d196-55bc-11e9-b4fd-8bac4caef0c2.html
  43. "College Scorecard: Villanova University"
    https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/school/?216597-Villanova-University
  44. Villanova.edu
    https://web.archive.org/web/20071029013717/http://www.villanova.edu/studentlife/studentdevelopment/organizations.htm
  45. Villanova.edu
    https://web.archive.org/web/20071008132458/http://www.villanova.edu/studentlife/specialolympics/
  46. NBC10 News, November 7, 2008
  47. NOVAdance
    http://novadance.org/
  48. Blueprints
    https://web.archive.org/web/20060829033343/http://publications.villanova.edu/blueprints/september2004/hhumanity.htm
  49. "Ewb-Usa"
    http://ewb-usa.org/
  50. "Villanova Engineering Students Learn through Service"
    http://www.villanova.edu/engineering/newsevents/newsarchives.htm?page=service.htm
  51. "Engineers Without Borders – Villanova Chapter – Thailand"
    https://web.archive.org/web/20110530055120/http://www.students.villanova.edu/egrorgs/EWB/thailand.html
  52. Students.Villanova.edu
    https://web.archive.org/web/20071105062646/http://www.students.villanova.edu/bluekey/faqs.html
  53. Villanova SGA
    https://www.villanovasga.org/
  54. Villanovan.com
    https://web.archive.org/web/20090103103047/http://media.www.villanovan.com/media/storage/paper581/news/2008/04/10/Features/Greek.Life.At.Villanova-3312745.shtml/
  55. Villanova.edu
    https://web.archive.org/web/20080707083634/http://www.villanova.edu/studentlife/studentdevelopment/greeklife/about/
  56. "NCEMSF Database"
    https://web.archive.org/web/20000829080758/http://www.ncemsf.org/resources/database/search.ems
  57. "NCEMSF Awards"
    https://web.archive.org/web/20070927200132/http://www.ncemsf.org/about/hall-of-fame.ems
  58. villanovan.com
    https://web.archive.org/web/20080204172533/http://www.villanovan.com/home/generalinformation/
  59. "1988 - Awards for Student Work Crown Awards - Collegiate Recipients | Columbia Scholastic Press Association"
    https://cspa.columbia.edu/recepient-lists/1988-awards-student-work-crown-awards-collegiate-recipients#College%20Gold%20Crown%20Yearbooks
  60. "1989 - Awards for Student Work Crown Awards - Collegiate Recipients | Columbia Scholastic Press Association"
    https://cspa.columbia.edu/recepient-lists/1989-awards-student-work-crown-awards-collegiate-recipients#College%20Gold%20Crown%20Yearbooks
  61. "The Villanova Times"
    https://vutimes.wordpress.com/
  62. Villanova.edu
    https://web.archive.org/web/20110716094023/http://www3.villanova.edu/wvtv/history.htm
  63. WXVUFM.com
    https://web.archive.org/web/20080317154805/http://wxvufm.com/index.php?page=about
  64. Villanova.edu
    http://www.villanova.edu/artsci/honors/newsevents/polis.htm
  65. concept.journals.villanova.edu
    https://concept.journals.villanova.edu/
  66. philly.com
    https://archive.today/20090821201426/http://www.philly.com/philly/education/20090817_Villanova_to_screen_students__documentary_film.html
  67. Villanova.edu
    https://web.archive.org/web/20081023112943/http://www.cffc.navy.mil/history.htm
  68. Villanova.edu
    https://www.cpf.navy.mil/About-Us/Previous-Commanders/
  69. Villanova.edu
    http://www.sptimes.com/2007/03/17/Tampabay/With_passing_of_flag_.shtml
  70. Villanova.edu Archived September 1, 2006, at the Wayback Machine
    http://www.villanova.edu/studentlife/music/about.htm
  71. Dunphy, John, Director of Music Activities. Lecture. April 5, 2008.
  72. "Vuband.com"
    http://vuband.com/
  73. "Vusingers.villanova.edu"
    https://web.archive.org/web/20090717071606/http://vusingers.villanova.edu/Singers%20History.htm
  74. Villanova.edu Archived February 12, 2009, at the Wayback Machine
    http://www.villanova.edu/studentlife/music/groups/vocal.htm#voices
  75. "Villanova.com – Official Athletic site of the Villanova University Wildcats"
    https://web.archive.org/web/20060412095016/http://villanova.cstv.com/
  76. caasports.com
    https://caasports.com/news/2021/5/13/seven-teams-set-to-compete-for-caa-womens-rowing-championship-sunday.aspx
  77. web3.ncaa.org
    https://web3.ncaa.org/aprsearch/gsrsearch
  78. Villanova University
    https://villanova.com/news/2020/11/17/general-villanova-athletics-records-highest-ncaa-graduation-success-rate-in-program-history.aspx
  79. "ESPN.com: Page 2's List for top upset in sports history"
    https://www.espn.com/page2/s/list/010523upset.html
  80. "ESPN – Connecticut vs. Villanova – Box Score – February 13, 2006"
    https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/boxscore?gameId=260440222
  81. "First Real Football Tests the New Rules: Spectators Divided as to the Success of Experimental Changes". The New York Ti
  82. Villanova Secures First CAA Men's Lacrosse Title[permanent dead link], National Collegiate Athletic Association, May 3,
    https://www.ncaa.com/sports/m-lacros/spec-rel/050309aab.html
  83. Villanova claims first CAA title with 10–9 win over Towson Archived May 6, 2009, at the Wayback Machine, Inside Lacrosse
    http://insidelacrosse.com/page.cfm?pagerid=2&news=fdetail&storyid=206996
  84. Virginia crushes Villanova, 18–6, faces Hopkins in next round, The Baltimore Sun, May 11, 2009.
    https://archive.today/20120721074321/http://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/college/lacrosse/bal-sp.laxrup11may11,0,5700820.story
  85. "Runnova"
    http://www.runnova.com
  86. Villanova magazine, Summer 2008, "Villanovans have won 13 Olympic Medals"
  87. Villanova.edu
    https://web.archive.org/web/20071018084648/http://images.villanova.edu/seallegend/
  88. "Villanova Magazine Fall 2003 Edition"
    https://web.archive.org/web/20060829014450/http://publications.villanova.edu/vumagazine/fall2003/sister_bell.htm
  89. "Villanova University Archives: The Liberty Bell's Sister"
    https://web.archive.org/web/20070915175240/http://www.archives.villanova.edu/arch/case_01/005.htm
  90. The Villanovan
    https://villanovan.com/14988/uncategorized/notable-alumni-become-successful-through-service-and-variety-both-in-college-and-beyond/
  91. The Philadelphia Inquirer
    https://www.inquirer.com/news/nation-world/new-pope-robert-prevost-leo-villanova-philadelphia-20250508.html
  92. Los Angeles Times
    https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2000-may-04-mn-26525-story.html
  93. Ukrainian Bishop, American Church
  94. Inquirer
    https://www.inquirer.com/philly/entertainment/celebrities/20150430_Norristown_s_Maria_Bello_considers_her_life__and_labels_that_empower.html
  95. NBC10 Philadelphia
    https://www.nbcphiladelphia.com/news/local/the-sexiest-news-anchor-in-us-is-our-own-keith-jones-find-out-why/4044444/
  96. USA TODAY
    https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/people/2016/09/02/big-lebowski-and-homicide-actor-jon-polito-dies-65/89778450/
  97. New York Times
    https://www.nytimes.com/2014/10/19/arts/music/tim-hauser-the-founder-of-the-manhattan-transfer-dies-at-72.html
  98. Goldmine
    https://www.goldminemag.com/articles/story-american-pie
  99. The New Yorker
    https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2008/11/24/land-of-lost-souls
  100. "Katherine Parr's Toolkit for Success"
    https://www1.villanova.edu/content/university/business/about-vsb/our-stories/impact-stories/toolkit-for-success.html
  101. Inquirer
    https://www.inquirer.com/philly/sports/eagles/20140129_Howie_Long_recalls__best_of_times__at_Villanova.html
  102. Inquirer
    https://www.inquirer.com/college-sports/brian-westbrook-villanova-eagles-hall-of-fame-20231205.html
  103. NBC Sports Philadelphia
    https://www.nbcsportsphiladelphia.com/ncaa/randy-foye-reflects-on-college-days-grandfather-role-to-villanova-players/409360/
  104. The Players' Tribune
    https://www.theplayerstribune.com/articles/kyle-lowry-villanova-final-four
  105. Pittsburgh Quarterly
    https://pittsburghquarterly.com/articles/ed-rendell/
  106. WMUR
    https://www.wmur.com/article/kelly-ayotte-new-hampshire-town-hall/62281213
  107. "John G. Rowland"
    http://www.nga.org/cms/home/governors/past-governors-bios/page_connecticut/col2-content/main-content-list/title_rowland_john.html
  108. The Daily Pennsylvanian
    https://www.thedp.com/article/1998/11/judge_rendell_tells_of_career_family
  109. The Villanovan
    https://villanovan.com/21243/culture/villanova-nrotc-hosts-its-annual-fall-parade/
  110. Marine Corps Times
    https://www.marinecorpstimes.com/news/your-marine-corps/2024/08/06/a-marine-general-who-paved-the-way-for-the-corps-of-today/
  111. New York Times
    https://www.nytimes.com/2019/12/31/us/gen-paul-x-kelley-dead.html
  112. US News & World Report
    https://www.usnews.com/news/articles/2014/10/08/who-is-joe-clancy-the-new-secret-service-acting-director
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