“Why would I pay so much for a school that is not even ranked in the top 50 according to the U.S. News Best Colleges list?”
I heard that question during one of my Blue Key tours, as I guided families through Villanova’s campus. With the early decision deadline quickly approaching, Villanova’s campus is buzzing with prospective students. High school seniors, juniors and even sophomores fill Villanova, eyeing both the beautiful architecture, as well as the wide range of clubs and activities available to join. Their excitement is contagious. Yet, when they’re asked the question, “Why Villanova?” many of them hesitate, unsure how to express their “why.”
That hesitation mirrors a larger tension. Last week, the new U.S. News rankings placed Villanova at 57th on its 2026 Best Colleges list, which is just shy of the coveted “top 50” spot. In that moment when that family asked the question, my pride in Villanova, stemming from the leadership roles I’ve taken, the classes I’ve enjoyed and excelled in and the community I’ve built, felt reduced to a single number on a list.
I understand this question. It’s one I also had. When choosing colleges to apply to, the U.S. News college ranking list was bookmarked on my laptop to easily refer to when filling out the Common App. The higher a school was on this list, the more validating it felt when the acceptance letter came in the mail. However, after having completed two full years at Villanova, it is clear that lists like these do not tell the whole story. Instead, they use specific and narrow formulas as well as limited criteria to fuel their decision on who goes where on this list, fueling elitist mindsets and perspectives.
That formula can’t account for the lived reality of Villanova, or any school for that matter. It doesn’t see the students planning the largest student-run Special Olympics event in the world. It doesn’t measure the impact of NOVAdance, which aims to support the Andrew McDonough B+ Foundation and instill hope in the lives of those affected by childhood cancer. It doesn’t reflect the months of work put in by orientation counselors who give up their summers to welcome first-years. These experiences define Villanova far more than an arbitrary ranking ever could.
“When originally looking at colleges, of course I looked at rankings,” junior astrophysics major Maggie D’Amaro said. “But now that I am here at Villanova, I realize they do not matter at all. If I had chosen a college solely based on ranking, I do not think I would be as happy.”
Of course, I am biased. All schools on this list boast impressive clubs and service opportunities for their students. But this obsession for some to attend a school with a higher ranking is driven by ego. Should Villanova really chase prestige by gaming metrics that have little to do with education and the actual student experience? Or rather, should Villanova focus efforts on what makes the school strong and unique: a community rooted in service, academics and activities that bring people together? Solely chasing a rank risks compromising our values and mission. Students, faculty and the school community as a whole choosing to live the mission every day shows how the number is irrelevant.
That’s why the “why Villanova” holds so much weight on the application. For those who choose a school solely for prestige and rank, the answer will likely fall flat. And those who end up coming here chasing only a rank may struggle to find their place. But for a majority of students and faculty who see Villanova as more than a number and who embrace the entire experience, the answer is usually easy. Villanova should not be defined by 57th place. It is rather defined by the people who make it extraordinary.
Ultimately, when that family asked me why they should invest in a school that isn’t in the top 50, I responded by saying that rankings may draw interest, but they cannot capture the full picture of what being at Villanova, or any school, is like. And that, more than any number, is what truly matters.
