Head-to-Head Comparison
Syracuse University vs Villanova University
- Syracuse Wins
- 18
- Tied
- 15
- Villanova Wins
- 21
Direct Answer
For overall financial value, Syracuse University offers a significantly safer investment tier. While Villanova University achieves a higher graduation rate (92% vs 82%), its annual cost of attendance sits at $43,756 compared to Syracuse University's $38,793. Students who choose Syracuse University benefit from a cost structure that keeps debt manageable while maintaining competitive graduate earnings of $79,164 at ten years.
54 data points compared · Sources: College Scorecard, Opportunity Insights, Times Higher Education, IPEDS
When to Pick Each School
Syracuse
- Lower cost: Average net price of $38,793, roughly $4,963 a year less
- Social mobility: Chetty mobility rate of 2.9%, the stronger record of moving students up the income ladder
Villanova
- Higher earnings: Median earnings of $100,423 ten years after enrollment, 27% more than Syracuse University
- Higher grad rate: 92% of students finish, the higher completion rate of the pair
- Less debt: Median debt of $25,874, the lower of the two
- More selective: Admits 27% of applicants, which makes for a more competitive peer group
The Actual Decision
What are you really choosing between?
Syracuse graduates concentrate in Social Sciences (13% of degrees); Villanova in Business & Marketing (23%). If you already know the field you want, the choice is mostly made for you.
Based on each school's share of degrees by field (College Scorecard). It shows where graduates actually concentrate, not the only path a school offers.
Which School Fits You?
Pick Villanova University over Syracuse University. Median earnings of $100,423 ten years after enrollment vs $79,164.
Pick Syracuse University over Villanova University. Net price $38,793 vs $43,756.
Pick Syracuse University over Villanova University. 2.9% mobility rate vs 1.3%.
Pick Villanova University over Syracuse University. 92% completion rate vs 82%.
Key Metrics at a Glance
Graduation Rate
Earnings (10yr)
Avg Net Price
Median Debt
The Analysis
Verdict
Syracuse University and Villanova University are close on paper, but Villanova University wins the head-to-head, leading on 4 of the core measures (selectivity, cost, earnings, completion, mobility, and debt). The right pick still depends on how you weight them.
Getting in
Villanova University is the harder admit. It takes 27% of applicants, while Syracuse University takes 46%. Its entering class also posts the higher average SAT, 1,375 to 1,460.
So what: If test scores and a high-scoring peer group matter to you, Villanova University sets the higher bar. The less selective school is easier to get into, which can work in your favor rather than against it.
What it costs
On price, Syracuse University comes out ahead. Its average net price after aid is $38,793, about $4,963 a year below Villanova University's $43,756. Graduates of Villanova University also borrow less: median debt of $25,874, against $26,000.
So what: Over four years, the gap adds up to about $19,852 before any change in aid. Choosing Syracuse University leaves that money available for graduate school, savings, or simply less borrowing.
What graduates earn
Ten years after enrollment, Villanova University graduates report median earnings of $100,423, compared with $79,164 at Syracuse University. That is a 27% advantage. Set against borrowing, Villanova University has the lower debt-to-earnings ratio, 0.26x to 0.33x.
So what: An earnings gap of 27% this early in a career tends to widen, since raises build on the higher base. Of the measures on this page, this one carries the most financial weight.
Finishing the degree
Villanova University graduates a larger share of its students, 92% versus 82%. More of its students stay on track to a degree.
So what: A completion gap of 10% is a risk measure. Students at the school with the lower rate face higher odds of leaving with debt and no degree, the most expensive outcome in higher education.
Moving people up
Syracuse University does more to move students up the income ladder. Its Chetty mobility rate is 2.9%; at Villanova University, it is 1.3%. Syracuse University also enrolls the larger share of low-income students: 5.7% come from the bottom income quintile, versus 2.3%.
So what: For first-generation and low-income students, Syracuse University offers the stronger statistical shot at reaching the top of the income distribution. The gap is wide enough to weigh in any access-minded decision.
Recommendation
Bottom line: pick Syracuse University to keep costs and debt down; pick Villanova University for the higher earnings ceiling.
Data certainty: High. Both schools report 6 of 6 core signals used here, so every comparison above matches reported data against reported data.
Counterintuitive Insights
The cheaper school is not the lower-earning one here. Syracuse University saves about $4,963 a year, yet Villanova University graduates earn $21,259 more ten years after enrollment. The cost advantage and the earnings premium sit at different schools, so your time horizon decides which counts more.
Villanova University is harder to get into, with a 27% admit rate, but Syracuse University posts the higher mobility rate, at 2.9%. Selectivity and income mobility measure different things; here, the easier admit does more for the low-income students it enrolls.
Their academic identities diverge. Syracuse University concentrates enrollment in Communications, while Villanova University leans toward Engineering. That split shapes which recruiters come to campus and what your classmates study.
Who Should Look Elsewhere
- Engineering-focused students: Villanova University has the stronger engineering programs.
- Business and consulting-track students: Syracuse University has less business program depth, and Villanova University offers the stronger options.
- Students who want a smaller campus: Syracuse University's enrollment of 15,477 far exceeds Villanova University's 6,938.
- Cost-conscious students: net price of $43,756 runs well above Syracuse University's $38,793.
Full Data Breakdown
Inside the admissions office
Villanova offers a binding Early Decision round that can lift your odds; Syracuse does not, so there is no early-commitment lever to pull there.
Source: each school's published Common Data Set, via collegedata.fyi.
Overview 5 metrics
Admissions 4 metrics
Admissions Strategy (Common Data Set) 6 metrics
Cost & Financial Aid 9 metrics
Academics 5 metrics
Student Body 6 metrics
Outcomes 6 metrics
Social Mobility (Chetty) 4 metrics
Social Capital 3 metrics
Research (Times HE) 4 metrics
Online Education (IPEDS) 2 metrics
The Overviews
Syracuse University
Syracuse, NY · Private nonprofit
With nearly 15,500 students, Syracuse University creates a vibrant community for those interested in fields like Communications, Business & Marketing, and Visual & Performing Arts. The acceptance rate of 46% means it's fairly selective, but there's a good chance for dedicated applicants to find their place here. The strong graduation rate of 82% speaks to the supportive environment designed to help students succeed, both academically and personally.
Looking at life after graduation, alumni earn an impressive average of $79,164 within ten years of completing their degrees. This level of earning potential highlights the value of the programs here, especially for those who dive into in-demand fields. While 17% of students receive Pell Grants, indicating some affordability challenges, the outcomes suggest that many graduates move up the economic ladder, benefiting from the skills and networks developed during their time at Syracuse.
When considering the financial aspect, the net price after aid sits at $38,793, which is manageable compared to the potential earnings. The median debt of $26,000 is reasonable for many students, especially when weighed against their post-graduation salaries. Those who thrive here tend to be driven, engaged in campus life, and ready to take advantage of the resources available, setting them up for future success in their careers.
Villanova University
Villanova, PA · Private nonprofit
At Villanova University, students can expect a tight-knit campus environment with an enrollment of just under 7,000. This university is a great fit for those pursuing degrees in Business and Marketing, Engineering, Social Sciences, Health Professions, and Communications. With an acceptance rate of 27%, it attracts motivated students who are ready to engage deeply in their studies and community.
Looking ahead, graduates from Villanova see impressive outcomes. The average earnings a decade after graduation sit at $100,423, which speaks volumes about the value of a Villanova degree in today’s job market. The school's strong graduation rate of 92% indicates that students not only enroll but also complete their degrees, setting them up for success in their chosen fields.
When it comes to the financial side, the net price after financial aid is $43,756, which is important to consider alongside the median debt level of $25,874. This suggests that while the costs can be significant, many students manage to navigate their financial responsibilities effectively. Those who thrive here are often driven, engaged, and ready to leverage the resources Villanova offers to propel their careers forward.
Rankings They Appear On
Villanova University is featured on the Best Communications Colleges in Pennsylvania ranking.
Top Degree Programs
Syracuse's top program is Sociology (13% of enrollment), while Villanova leads with Business Administration (23%).
Career Pathways
Program strengths at these schools feed into careers like Financial Analyst, Management Consultant, Accountant (for Syracuse) and Registered Nurse, Nurse Practitioner, Physician Assistant (for Villanova).
The two schools feed different job markets. Syracuse University is strongest in Communications, Visual & Performing Arts, while Villanova University concentrates in Engineering, Health Professions. Those concentrations determine which recruiters show up on campus and where alumni cluster by industry. Match the school's program strengths to the field you plan to enter.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it harder to get into Syracuse University or Villanova University?
Villanova University is harder to get into, admitting 27% of applicants compared with 46% at Syracuse University.
Which is more affordable, Syracuse University or Villanova University?
Syracuse University is more affordable, with an average net price of $38,793 after aid versus $43,756 at Villanova University.
Do Syracuse University or Villanova University graduates earn more?
Villanova University graduates earn more: median earnings of $100,423 ten years after enrollment, versus $79,164 at Syracuse University.
Which has a better graduation rate, Syracuse University or Villanova University?
Villanova University has the higher graduation rate, 92% versus 82%.
Syracuse University vs Villanova University: which is better for social mobility?
Syracuse University is the stronger driver of upward mobility, with a Chetty mobility rate of 2.9% versus 1.3%.
Should you choose Syracuse University or Villanova University?
It depends on what you weigh most. Choose Syracuse University if affordability and lower debt come first; choose Villanova University if you're optimizing for post-grad earnings. The two schools win on different measures, so the better fit is the one whose strengths match your priorities.
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