So conflicted… my son, who will be a political science major, got waitlisted by Villanova so we moved on and he committed to Penn State university park. Of course, he found out yesterday that he was accepted to Nova. So now we have a big decision to make.
He loved Nova when we visited in the fall. Great atmosphere and the people seemed genuinely pleasant. But we moved on after the waitlist. Penn State’s big campus, amazing school spirit, and traditional college experience drew him in.
Now that he’s been accepted we’re on the fence. We’re going to visit Nova again next week before we make our final decision. Neither school offered any tuition assistance at all and Nova is about $30k/year more.
On the surface it seems to me that Villanova has the better academic experience while PSU seems to have more resources and opportunities for students.
I realize I’m posting on the Villanova Reddit, but I’m interested in what the community thinks about our situation.
Thanks for your input.
Sort by:
Best
Open comment sort options
Best
Top
New
Controversial
Old
Q&A
Although my daughter was not waitlisted, it came down to Penn State and Nova for her. She chose Nova with no regrets. It was the right size school for her. Great education, social life, school spirit and sorority experience.
I went to Villanova. My husband and younger brother went to Penn State. If I could go back and do it again, I would have chosen Penn State. It’s a great education at a better price. The alumni network, the football games, THON — it’s pretty incredible for a kid. I loved Villanova. But looking back I don’t think it was worth the added expense. Especially if your son plans to go to law school or get an additional degree after political science. Both great schools though. He can’t go wrong.
If it was something in the business or engineering schools I'd say it's worth the extra 120K, but Villanova's poli-sci program isn't amazing (or at least, it wasn't 10 years ago).
Thanks. On Niche Villanova political science department is ranked 74 while PSU is ranked 158.
Depends what he’d want to do w the poly sci major probably. Maybe even political party?
Interested in what you mean about the political party.
Don’t know that there’s gonna be a huge difference in terms of general campus stats on republicans vs democrats.
But probably more opps to network or get jobs with Democrats in Philly than in Happy Valley?
Thanks for the info. Much appreciated.
Yea I’d just think about what he’s gonna actually want to do w the degree and the job placements or grad school placements and whether or not he’d need/want savings for grad school
A pol sci major isn’t going to be a ticket to a great outcome on its own anywhere so if that’s the plan, then I would go where it’s cheaper 100%
Nova is great, but not $30k a year more great especially considering it’s tough to move between the schools here so if he wants do switch majors, it’s not going to be as easy as filling out some paperwork
He’s considering a business minor. Wondering if that would be a possibility at Nova?
Also, Nova has a 4+1 program that students can apply for after their junior year first semester if they meet certain criteria.
I went to Nova. My sister went to Penn State. They are both excellent schools. Which will be better depends on what kind of student your son is. Villanova is great for things like smaller classes, especially with a major like political science. And Nova is full of genuinely wonderful people. But, if he’s the kind of student who, while happy to do the work, would rather not raise his hand and ask a question in front of the class, then a smaller class is kind of wasted on him. By the same token, Penn State is huge, has pretty much every kind of student experience one can imagine, and is phenomenal for networking. But, if your son is not the kind of guy to go out and look for the kind of experience he wants, then Penn State’s huge variety of experiences aren’t going to do as much for him.
All that being said, and admittedly not knowing your family’s finances, a total difference of $120k over four years is a huge difference. In all honesty, unless he thinks he’s really going to get something from Villanova he wouldn’t from Penn State, I’d advise really considering Penn State.
I didn’t study at either for undergrad, but I’m finishing up a masters at Villanova. I personally think PSU is a better option holistically. No reason to go into more severe debt for a poli sci degree and if he ever wanted to switch majors there is arguably more variety to choose from at PSU.
Love Villanova, and if he were majoring in Finance for example, I’d encourage him to go Nova over Penn State. But to spend an extra $120k for a political science degree just doesn’t seem worth it. Even if I presume you are upper middle class and $120,000 isn’t particularly a “big deal” - it still could be invested elsewhere.
PSU no contest.
I say this as a PSU alumnus and current Nova grad student.