US News & World Report has ranked the University 50th in its annual “Best Colleges” rankings in the “National Universities” category for 2017. This historic moment marks the first time the University has been regarded in a higher-tier classification. Villanova tied with Pennsylvania State University –University Park, Pepperdine University and University of Florida.

In the last 23 years, the University has reigned as number one in US News & World Report’s “Regional Universities North.” Last year, the source also ranked the University second in “Best Value Schools” and fourth in “Best Undergraduate Teaching.”

In an email to students and faculty in February of 2015, Rev. Peter M. Donohue, OSA, PhD explained the new national recognition. “[T]he Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching, which administers the official classification system for all US colleges and universities, announced that it has elevated Villanova to the Doctoral Universities category from the Master’s Colleges and University category,” Donohue disclosed. “This is a noteworthy moment for Villanova, because US News & World Report uses the Carnegie Classification for its annual ‘Best Colleges’ ranking. . . Being formally recognized as a national university is something that all Villanovans should be incredibly proud of, but it does not change who we are as a University. We remain steadfastly committed to academic excellence, to our Augustinian values and to preparing our students to create positive change wherever life takes them.”