Boston vs Villanova
Side by side: Mass and confession times, faith grades, academics, cost after aid and outcomes.
AFaith: Strong (grade A): 85 to 100 points out of 100 on what official sources document. Grades need sources for at least 60% of the checklist.Boston CollegeChestnut Hill, MACatholic collegeBFaith: Good (grade B): 70 to 100 points out of 100 on what official sources document. Grades need sources for at least 60% of the checklist.Villanova UniversityVillanova, PACatholic college
At a glance
- Boston lists Mass every weekday; Villanova lists Mass every weekday.
- Boston lists confession 11 times a week; Villanova, 3 times a week.
- For families earning up to $30,000, Boston has the lower price after aid: $4,284 a year, against $17,823 at Villanova.
- The average price after aid is lower at Boston: $41,704 a year, against $43,756 at Villanova.
Catholic life
Faith grade
AFaith: Strong (grade A): 85 to 100 points out of 100 on what official sources document. Grades need sources for at least 60% of the checklist.
BFaith: Good (grade B): 70 to 100 points out of 100 on what official sources document. Grades need sources for at least 60% of the checklist.
Compass Score
ACompass Score: Strong (grade A): 85 to 100 points out of 100 on what official sources document. Grades need sources for at least 60% of the checklist.
BCompass Score: Good (grade B): 70 to 100 points out of 100 on what official sources document. Grades need sources for at least 60% of the checklist.
Sacramental life
ASacramental life: Strong (grade A): 85 to 100 points out of 100 on what official sources document. Grades need sources for at least 60% of the checklist.
ASacramental life: Strong (grade A): 85 to 100 points out of 100 on what official sources document. Grades need sources for at least 60% of the checklist.
Theology and core curriculum
BTheology and core curriculum: Good (grade B): 70 to 100 points out of 100 on what official sources document. Grades need sources for at least 60% of the checklist.
DTheology and core curriculum: Limited (grade D): 40 to 100 points out of 100 on what official sources document. Grades need sources for at least 60% of the checklist.
Campus culture and residence life
ACampus culture and residence life: Strong (grade A): 85 to 100 points out of 100 on what official sources document. Grades need sources for at least 60% of the checklist.
ACampus culture and residence life: Strong (grade A): 85 to 100 points out of 100 on what official sources document. Grades need sources for at least 60% of the checklist.
Service and Catholic social teaching
BService and Catholic social teaching: Good (grade B): 70 to 100 points out of 100 on what official sources document. Grades need sources for at least 60% of the checklist.
BService and Catholic social teaching: Good (grade B): 70 to 100 points out of 100 on what official sources document. Grades need sources for at least 60% of the checklist.
Mass times
Every weekday
Every weekday
Confession times
11 times a week
3 times a week
Eucharistic adoration
Once a week
Once a week
Campus ministry
6 listed
4 listed
Religious order or tradition
Jesuit
Augustinian
The college
Control
Private nonprofit
Private nonprofit
Location
Chestnut Hill, MA
Villanova, PA
Setting
City
Suburb
Students
15,280
10,111
Academics
Academic Excellence grade
AAcademic Excellence: Strong (grade A): 85 to 100 points out of 100 on what official sources document. Grades need sources for at least 60% of the checklist.
AAcademic Excellence: Strong (grade A): 85 to 100 points out of 100 on what official sources document. Grades need sources for at least 60% of the checklist.
Admission rate
16%
27%
Average SAT
1507
1460
ACT middle 50%
33–35
32–34
Graduation rate
91%
92%
First-year retention
96%
95%
Cost and outcomes
Average net price a year
$41,704
$43,756
Net price, up to $30,000 income
$4,284
$17,823
Net price, $30,001–$48,000 income
$7,304
$16,496
Net price, $48,001–$75,000 income
$13,112
$20,923
Net price, $75,001–$110,000 income
$19,999
$33,389
Net price, over $110,000 income
$60,308
$58,741
Median debt
$19,000
$25,874
Median earnings 10 years after entry
$103,937
$100,423
The grades and the Compass Score are Catholic School Compass ratings from documented sources; each college’s page lists its sources. Cost, admission, graduation, earnings and debt are federal data. This page does not rank the two colleges.