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Villanova University of Villanova, Pennsylvania, is a private, Roman Catholic institution founded by the Order of Saint Augustine in 1842. Villanova offers a comprehensive education that is rooted in the liberal arts and is committed to the Augustinian ideals of truth, unity, and love and is a community dedicated to the service of others. The university traces its heritage back to the old Saint Augustine’s Church of Philadelphia, which was started by Augustinian friars in 1796, and to its parish school, Saint Augustine’s Academy, which was founded in 1811. Located just 12 miles west of Philadelphia, the area offers much in the way of activities and entertainment. The second-largest city on the East Coast, Villanova’s students are within an easy distance of Philadelphia’s world-class museums, historic sites, restaurant scene, and performing arts centers.
Academic Programs
Villanova University is made up of six colleges and schools, the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences; Villanova School of Business; College of Engineering; College of Nursing; College of Professional Studies; and the Villanova University Charles Widger School of Law. Accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education, Villanova’s College of Liberal Arts & Sciences alone offers nearly 40 majors; 10+ interdisciplinary concentrations; over 15 Bachelor’s/Master’s programs; approx. 20 Master’s programs; and a PhD program in Philosophy. In addition, Villanova offers a number of other degree options through the rest of their schools and colleges. Villanova also offers a variety of fully online programs across all of its schools and colleges for the non-traditional student.Villanova’s students are taught to grow intellectually, professionally, and spiritually through the school’s rigorous academic programs where students are made partners in learning with their professors. Through this challenging and immersive academic experience, Villanova graduates are in high demand with both employers and graduate schools.
Student Life
Nearly 11,000 students are enrolled at Villanova University, including more than 7,000 undergraduates. Over half of the undergraduate population chooses to live on campus and the university provides over 25 residence halls located throughout the whole campus on the Main, South, and West Campuses. These halls include 18 traditional residence halls and several apartment-style halls that are reserved for upper classmen. The freshmen dormitories are co-educational and accommodate anywhere from 50 to 250 students. Approximately 20 dining locations exist throughout the campus, including a few residence dining halls and several more retail operations. Flexible meal plans are available to students, designed to allow students to eat around busy schedules.As an NCAA Division I-AA school, Villanova sponsors over 20 varsity teams in which over 500 student-athletes participate. Villanova’s athletic facilities include a 12,000-seat stadium and a 6,500-seat multipurpose recreational facility and arena. Villanova athletes compete in nearly 20 NCAA team championships and over 85 conference championships. The school has produced more than 55 Olympians and has had athletes participate in every Summer Olympics since 1948.