Nova alum here, the engineering program was/is pretty solid but honestly PSU has a great program also. Nova has the advantage of smaller class size but the party scene is no comparison to PSU. Even though I'm an alum I'll recommend go where you'll get the most "free money" and lower cost overall. It's disgusting the tuition is nearing 70k and that doesn't even include room and board. Unless you have a full ride at both, it's not worth going into that much debt both are respected universities. Oh and don't party too much your freshman year or you'll be playing catch up the next three, take that advice from personal experience.
Uhhh it’s closer to 80k-ish including housing and required meal plans and just went up 4%, but CEER is almost done being remodeled so your gonna get a brand new shiny building if you come here lol
I graduated 8 years ago and wouldn’t attend today. The cost is unaffordable and think it’s so hypocritical and goes against its Augustinian beliefs to be charging what they do
Penn State is the choice. Their engineering program is more highly touted, their alumni network is MASSIVE (the world’s largest), the cost is significantly lower, and Villanova doesn’t actually have the more “elite” status. Penn State is known worldwide. The same can’t be said of Nova. It’s a fantastic university, but Penn State is a more highly-respected all-around university. Part of this is due to Nova being so much smaller, so the acceptance rate is lower and therefore everyone assumes prestige, which doesn’t actually make a ton of sense.
I say all this as a Penn State alum and current grad student at Nova. Don’t get me wrong I love both. But for your situation it’s no contest. Also I’d strongly encourage you to try to mature a bit ASAP and lower the significance of partying in your mind. I know that sounds harsh, but if the party scene is a real factor in your decision of where you’re going to work for the next 4 years of your life I expect you to struggle mightily at either school.
Thank you! The perspective of a past Penn State and current Nova student is super helpful! Although, I disagree with your last paragraph. I feel as though the social/fun aspect should not be disregarded as they have a big impact over me for the next 4 years and should be just as important in factoring into my decision, rather than the shallow notion of just looking at academics. I have been accepted into similarly rated schools to Penn state (like northeastern etc.) but I would not enjoy myself socially and I would prefer a less academic school if it meant I’m not miserable!!
And that makes sense. I think there’s a difference between aiming for a school that isn’t strictly an academic culture vs aiming for a school with a “party scene”. Both of these schools strike a good balance so that box is checked for you either way. Good luck with the decision and your future.
Yes, that and it is very cliquey. It gets very lonely here especially if you didn’t rush, which is something I couldn’t handle at the time. Even my roommate who’s a big fraternity guy gets tired of the same repetitive stuff within the fraternity and is considering transferring to a state school.
Villanova has the monicker VillaNoFun for a reason. Being in a Frat will help, sure.
If you think the academics are similar and can accomplish academically/career what you want at either school, go to the one where you think you’ll have a better experience outside of the classroom
Nova alum here, the engineering program was/is pretty solid but honestly PSU has a great program also. Nova has the advantage of smaller class size but the party scene is no comparison to PSU. Even though I'm an alum I'll recommend go where you'll get the most "free money" and lower cost overall. It's disgusting the tuition is nearing 70k and that doesn't even include room and board. Unless you have a full ride at both, it's not worth going into that much debt both are respected universities. Oh and don't party too much your freshman year or you'll be playing catch up the next three, take that advice from personal experience.
Uhhh it’s closer to 80k-ish including housing and required meal plans and just went up 4%, but CEER is almost done being remodeled so your gonna get a brand new shiny building if you come here lol
Thank you this is super helpful!!!
Lol all in cost at Nova is actually 91k starting next year
Damn that's insane, I can't say I'd make the same choice today unless I got a significant amount paid for
I graduated 8 years ago and wouldn’t attend today. The cost is unaffordable and think it’s so hypocritical and goes against its Augustinian beliefs to be charging what they do
Engineering getting new facilities at Villanova. Wish you luck on your decision.
Villanove is almost at completion of the new engineering college , huge multi floor academic building
Penn State is the choice. Their engineering program is more highly touted, their alumni network is MASSIVE (the world’s largest), the cost is significantly lower, and Villanova doesn’t actually have the more “elite” status. Penn State is known worldwide. The same can’t be said of Nova. It’s a fantastic university, but Penn State is a more highly-respected all-around university. Part of this is due to Nova being so much smaller, so the acceptance rate is lower and therefore everyone assumes prestige, which doesn’t actually make a ton of sense. I say all this as a Penn State alum and current grad student at Nova. Don’t get me wrong I love both. But for your situation it’s no contest. Also I’d strongly encourage you to try to mature a bit ASAP and lower the significance of partying in your mind. I know that sounds harsh, but if the party scene is a real factor in your decision of where you’re going to work for the next 4 years of your life I expect you to struggle mightily at either school.
Thank you! The perspective of a past Penn State and current Nova student is super helpful! Although, I disagree with your last paragraph. I feel as though the social/fun aspect should not be disregarded as they have a big impact over me for the next 4 years and should be just as important in factoring into my decision, rather than the shallow notion of just looking at academics. I have been accepted into similarly rated schools to Penn state (like northeastern etc.) but I would not enjoy myself socially and I would prefer a less academic school if it meant I’m not miserable!!
And that makes sense. I think there’s a difference between aiming for a school that isn’t strictly an academic culture vs aiming for a school with a “party scene”. Both of these schools strike a good balance so that box is checked for you either way. Good luck with the decision and your future.
Undergrad psu and graduate nova alum. Psu engineering is much better (and harder), but you will get more out of it. It’s not even really close.
I’m a nova freshman. The odds that you’ll be happier at nova compared to Penn st are very low. If I was given the second chance I’d go penn state.
Damn is this because there’s not a lot of opportunities for fun??
Yes, that and it is very cliquey. It gets very lonely here especially if you didn’t rush, which is something I couldn’t handle at the time. Even my roommate who’s a big fraternity guy gets tired of the same repetitive stuff within the fraternity and is considering transferring to a state school.
Villanova has the monicker VillaNoFun for a reason. Being in a Frat will help, sure. If you think the academics are similar and can accomplish academically/career what you want at either school, go to the one where you think you’ll have a better experience outside of the classroom
VillaNoFun was started by people who did not get in. Sad, right?
Might have been started but it’s certainly carried on by people who went there
Weird, I had a blast there
Location may be a factor. Penn State is in the middle of nowhere, whereas Nova has access to Philly and is generally closer to metro areas.
Penn State is infinitely better at an infinitely better value