Villanova University

Named for the Spanish Augustinian St. Thomas of Villanova, the university is still affiliated with the Augustinian Order. Located just outside Philadelphia, Villanova has six colleges, four of which serve undergraduate and graduate students. Graduate programs include those in the School of Business and the Charles Widger School of Law. Villanova offers more than 280 student-run organizations, such as the Blue Key Society, which gives admissions tours and hosts prospective student days. Villanova is also the host of the largest student-run Special Olympics event in the world, and students provide around a quarter-million hours of service to the community each year. They can also participate in about two dozen fraternities and sororities. The Villanova Wildcats – known for their successful men’s basketball program – mainly compete in the NCAA Division I Big East Conference. Incoming freshmen are guaranteed housing for their first three years.