Degree Dividend
Sourced from federal dataEvery figure datedNo rankings for sale

Villanova University — ROI, Cost & Payback

Private nonprofit · Villanova, PA · 6,938 students

The verdict

Villanova University charges a net price of $43,756/yr after aid — a 4-year total of $175,024. Graduates earn a median $100,423 ten years after entry, $52,063/yr above the $48,360 high-school baseline, clearing the total in 3.4 years — a 20-year net return of $866,236, a strong payback — the degree clears its cost fast. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

Share

Villanova University's 3.4-year payback ranks #219 of 1,280 US colleges we track — better ROI than 83% of them, and #9 of 169 in Pennsylvania.

Better ROI than 83% of US colleges#219 of 1,280
Weakest ROIStrongest ROI
$43,756
Net price / yr
Scorecard, 2026
$100,423
Median earnings, 10 yrs
Scorecard, 2026
3.4 yrs
Payback
Our math, 2026
27%
Admission rate
Scorecard, 2026
Villanova University: cost, earnings and payback
MeasureValueSource
Net price (after aid)$43,756/yrScorecard, 2026
Total net cost (4 yrs)$175,024our math
Median earnings, 10 yrs after entry$100,423Scorecard, 2026
Earnings premium over HS baseline$52,063/yrour math
Median debt (completers)$25,874Scorecard, 2026
Payback3.4 yrsour math
20-year net return$866,236our math

College Scorecard (2026 release), institution-level · payback and returns are our math.

How we compute this. Payback = total net cost ÷ annual earnings premium, where the premium is median earnings 10 years after entry minus the $48,360 baseline (BLS 2024 median for a high-school-diploma worker 25+). Total net cost = net price × 4 years. We do not discount future dollars. The institution-wide earnings figure blends every major — a specific program's payback can be far better or worse. Full method on the methodology page.

Villanova University: frequently asked questions

Is Villanova University worth the cost?
On the numbers, yes. Villanova University charges $43,756/yr after aid ($175,024 over 4 years), and graduates earn a median $100,423 ten years out — $52,063/yr above the $48,360 high-school baseline. That clears the cost in 3.4 years and returns $866,236 net over 20 years, a strong payback — the degree clears its cost fast.
How long does a Villanova University degree take to pay off?
About 3.4 years. We divide the $175,024 four-year net cost by the $52,063/yr earnings premium over the high-school baseline. It is a floor, not a ceiling — mid-career raises pay it back faster.
How much does Villanova University cost after financial aid?
The median net price is $43,756/yr — about $175,024 over 4 years. That is what the typical aided student actually pays after grants and scholarships, not the published sticker price.
How does Villanova University compare to other Pennsylvania colleges?
It ranks #9 of 169 Pennsylvania colleges we track by payback. Its $100,423 median earnings beat the national median of $43,552, and its $43,756 net price is above the national median of $16,906.