How does the Villanova School of Business shape up against its competitors? While rankings aren’t everything, loyal readers of Ivy Coach’s blog know that universities care far more about what third-party rankings say about them than they might let on. Villanova is no exception. In fact, they’ve been caught with their hands in the cookie jar, misreporting data to US News & World Report to get a leg up! In 2022, Villanova was booted from US News’ list of “Best Value Colleges” after it was discovered they had supplied the publication with incorrect information in an attempt to boost their rank. 

Tsk, tsk, Villanova! While it’s not the only school that has stretched the truth to ranking publications (we’re looking at you, Columbia!), we at Ivy Coach are far from the biggest supporters of such publications that attempt to quantify the unquantifiable. Thus, we recommend you take the following rankings with a grain of salt. So, without further ado, let’s look at how the Villanova School of Business fares in various rankings of college and graduate-level business programs:

Villanova University’s School of Business Rankings Across Three Publications

Villanova Business Program	Publication	Rank
Part-Time MBA	U.S. News & World Report	#35
Online MBA (for Veterans)	U.S. News & World Report	#31
Online MBA	U.S. News & World Report	#29
Online MBA	Poets & Quants	#28
Online Graduate Business Program	U.S. News & World Report	#19
Online Graduate Business Program (for Veterans)	U.S. News & World Report	#14
Undergraduate Business School	Poets & Quants	#12
Online Masters in Business Analytics	Fortune	#9

Looking at Villanova’s performance, you’re probably left with the impression that it’s a moderately competitive choice that won’t provide the best Business education but also won’t provide the worst. But it bears remembering that publications like US News don’t compile their rankings according to the quality of education, but rather based on various factors, including everything from graduation rate to peer-assessed reputation. (For more on the fascinating and deceptive topic of college rankings, check out Malcolm Gladwell’s incredibly well-researched podcast on the subject.) 

The moral of the story is that the Villanova School of Business is an excellent choice for anyone intent on continuing their business education online, part-time, or in a Catholic academic setting. While it is by no means the most prestigious school of its kind in the country, it’s nothing to write off. Its considerable acceptance rate, which most recently clocked in at 96%, might scare off those among us who seek selectivity, competition, and prestige, but that’s no reason to disregard this stellar school.

The Villanova School of Business is renowned for its emphasis on hands-on business experience through internships, corporate simulations, and applied research. Its active alumni network is a valuable resource for current students seeking lucrative job offers. However, as with any school selection, the power of personal research cannot be overstated. Contacting a current Villanova student or attending a campus information session and tour can provide insights that might not be readily available online.

How Ivy Coach Helps Future MBAs Choose the Best Program

At Ivy Coach, we understand the challenges of choosing between excellent business programs. Our team, comprised of former admissions officers from top schools, is here to help you navigate this decision. We will offer personalized guidance to help you weigh the pros and cons of attending Villanova or any other top business program.

And if you’re not yet sure of your chances of getting into such a program, look no further. With the help of Ivy Coach’s Deirdre Duckett, a former Harvard Business School admissions officer, you can optimize your odds of admission to a top MBA program by harnessing the power of a strong singular hook.

To get started, fill out our complimentary consultation form, and we’ll be in touch with an outline of our services.