Villanova University Fitzpatrick College of Nursing: Programs, NCLEX & What to Expect (2026)
The M. Louise Fitzpatrick College of Nursing at Villanova anchors a private, Catholic Augustinian campus on Philadelphia’s Main Line—offering a traditional four-year BSN, a Second Degree Accelerated BSN, and graduate nursing through the doctoral level. NCLEX figures below come from the Pennsylvania State Board of Nursing prelicensure spreadsheet; tuition comes from Villanova’s Bursar and cost of attendance pages. Confirm every cohort, bill, and requirement with Villanova and the Board.
Contents
Quick Facts
Key Takeaway
Villanova differentiates itself with repeated National League for Nursing Center of Excellence recognition, a heavily used Simulation and Learning Resource Center in Driscoll Hall, and unusually explicit Pennsylvania State Board of Nursing NCLEX reporting you can cross-check yourself—pair that with Philadelphia-region clinical volume and a full ladder from BSN to DNP and PhD.
Overview & Why Students Choose Villanova Nursing
On Villanova’s Main Line campus, the M. Louise Fitzpatrick College of Nursing pairs a liberal arts core with clinical education that starts in the second year and runs through Villanova’s Simulation and Learning Resource Center (SLRC) in Driscoll Hall. The college markets itself as an NLN Center of Excellence in Nursing Education and emphasizes global health partnerships alongside Philadelphia-area hospital networks.
Pre-licensure students follow either a traditional four-year BSN or the Second Degree Accelerated BSN—this is Villanova’s Accelerated BSN (ABSN) pathway, offered as a 14-month Express track or a 23-month Flex track for applicants who already hold a non-nursing bachelor’s. Graduate students move into MSN nurse practitioner and nursing education tracks (blended online and in-person), post-master’s certificates, Post-Master’s DNP, Post-Baccalaureate DNP Nurse Anesthesia, and PhD study. Villanova foregrounds Augustinian values, undergraduate research mentorship, and the LEAD professional development curriculum alongside simulation-intensive coursework.
The most recent first-time NCLEX-RN pass rate reported for Villanova University BSN in the Board’s downloadable spreadsheet is 93.01% (213 of 229 first-time test takers) for testing year October 1, 2024–September 30, 2025. The same file lists a Pennsylvania aggregate first-time rate of 88.21% for that period. Always confirm the next publication on the Board’s nursing education programs page.
Reasons students choose Villanova Nursing
Board-documented NCLEX outcomes
You can verify Villanova’s BSN NCLEX line item directly in Pennsylvania’s prelicensure RN spreadsheet—useful when you want official, cohort-sized reporting rather than marketing summaries alone.
Simulation & SLRC accreditation
Villanova highlights SSH- and INACSL-endorsed simulation infrastructure integrated throughout its curriculum, not only in standalone labs.
Metro-Philadelphia clinical depth
Students access acute, community, and specialty placements across one of the densest hospital markets in the United States, with CHOP, Penn Medicine, Jefferson, and ChristianaCare frequently referenced in student stories.
NP breadth + nurse anesthesia
Graduate nursing includes four MSN NP populations plus nursing education, certificates, Post-Master’s DNP, and a COA-accredited nurse anesthesia DNP track.
Research-intensive doctoral culture
A standalone PhD in Nursing and large-scale undergraduate research participation differentiate Villanova from colleges that stop at the MSN.
Nursing Programs Offered
The list below reflects Villanova’s published undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral menus plus continuing education—always confirm prerequisites and delivery on the official Villanova nursing site.
Pre-licensure (BSN)
Traditional four-year BSN
A professional BSN built on Villanova’s liberal arts core; clinical experiences begin in year two and continue with simulation-infused coursework in Driscoll Hall.
Second Degree Accelerated BSN
Accelerated BSN (ABSN) for bachelor’s graduates in other fields: 14-month Express or 23-month Flex tracks with distinct application deadlines.
Post-licensure & graduate
MSN & post-graduate certificates
MSN tracks in Adult Gerontology NP, Family NP, Pediatric NP, Psychiatric-Mental Health NP, and Nursing Education, plus matching post-master’s certificates (per Villanova degree/certificate page).
Post-Master’s DNP
Practice doctorate for master’s-prepared nurses seeking clinical/systems leadership preparation.
Post-Baccalaureate DNP Nurse Anesthesia
DNP nurse anesthesia program that Villanova lists as accredited by the Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Programs (COA).
PhD in Nursing
Research doctorate focused on nursing science and preparing teacher-scholars; Villanova notes doctoral nursing programs rely on regional accreditation rather than separate CCNE doctoral review.
Health Care Professional Development
Continuing education programming for nurses seeking formal professional development credits through the college.
Villanova’s graduate courses blend online and on-campus components; confirm immunization, background check, and clinical clearance requirements for your specific track before applying.
NCLEX-RN Pass Rate
According to the Pennsylvania State Board of Nursing spreadsheet titled NCLEX Exam Pass Rates of Prelicensure Programs — RN Programs (five-year table downloaded from the Board’s nursing education programs page), Villanova University BSN recorded a 93.01% first-time NCLEX-RN pass rate for first-time test takers between October 1, 2024 and September 30, 2025—213 passed of 229 tested.
The same board publication lists a Pennsylvania aggregate first-time pass rate of 88.21% (7,469 of 8,467 testers) for that identical testing window and a U.S. aggregate of 83.22% (152,932 of 183,777 testers). Benchmark comparisons are drawn only from this single official file so methodology stays consistent.
Historical columns in the same spreadsheet show Villanova’s prior first-time BSN rates of 88.69% (149/168 testers, Oct. 2020–Sept. 2021 period), 94.59% (210/222, 2021–22), 96.52% (194/201, 2022–23), and 92.04% (185/201, 2023–24). Confirm you are reading the row labeled “Villanova University BSN” when filtering programs.
For licensure examination statistics for nurse anesthesia or other post-licensure credentials, consult Villanova’s program-specific outcomes pages and the relevant certifying bodies—those metrics are not interchangeable with pre-licensure NCLEX-RN rows.
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| NCLEX-RN first-time pass (Villanova BSN) | 93.01% (213/229 first-time test takers; Oct. 1, 2024–Sept. 30, 2025) |
| Pennsylvania aggregate (same period, same spreadsheet) | 88.21% first-time pass rate |
| United States aggregate (same spreadsheet) | 83.22% first-time pass rate |
| Source | 2024–2025 RN NCLEX five-year spreadsheet (PDF) linked from the PA DOS Nursing Education Programs page. Confirm current data with the Pennsylvania State Board of Nursing and Villanova. |
NCLEX outcomes change by cohort. Always confirm the latest pass rates on Pennsylvania State Board of Nursing publications and with Villanova’s assessment or outcomes staff.
International Students & Internationally Educated Nurses
Requirements for international students and internationally educated nurses vary by institution and state. Villanova’s graduate nursing pages include an international-student admission section; use the checklist below and verify every item with Villanova’s International Center, the Fitzpatrick College of Nursing, and the Pennsylvania State Board of Nursing.
- English-language proficiency: TOEFL, IELTS, Duolingo, or other tests and minimum scores required by Villanova for your academic level.
- Transcript / credential evaluation: Course-by-course evaluations (WES or others) and any nursing-specific documentation the college requests.
- Pennsylvania Board of Nursing: For RN licensure (with or without a U.S. Villanova degree), confirm CGFNS, VisaScreen, NCLEX eligibility, and any constraints on clinical practice permits.
- Immigration & visa: F-1 or other visa eligibility, CPT/OPT implications, and whether hybrid courses satisfy visa enrollment requirements.
This guidance is informational, not legal advice. Policies change—confirm with Villanova and the Board before you invest in applications or travel.
Admissions: A Realistic Look
Villanova admits first-year nursing students through central undergraduate admission, routes career changers through the Second Degree Accelerated BSN office, and processes MSN/DNP/PhD applications through the graduate nursing team. Expect prerequisites in sciences and statistics for accelerated applicants; graduate applicants need unencumbered RN licensure where clinical APRN work is required. Because Villanova is selective and private, plan for strong grades, clear healthcare exposure, and early completion of any exam or shadowing requirements listed on your specific track.
Application timeline (examples from Villanova pages)
| Program / entry | Deadline | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Second Degree ABSN — 14-month Express | September 15 (first deadline); December 15 (second deadline) | Per Villanova Second Degree Accelerated BSN page |
| Second Degree ABSN — 23-month Flex | March 15 | Per Villanova Second Degree Accelerated BSN page |
| MSN & post-graduate certificates — summer | April 1 | Complete applications due to Nursing Graduate Program Office |
| MSN & post-graduate certificates — spring | November 1 | Complete applications due to Nursing Graduate Program Office |
| Traditional BSN (first-year) | Rolling with Villanova Undergraduate Admission | Confirm deposit and decision dates on undergraduate admission |
| DNP Nurse Anesthesia / PhD / Post-Master’s DNP | Program-specific | Monitor each doctoral page and transcript email aliases Villanova lists |
Admissions snapshot
| Factor | Details |
|---|---|
| Acceptance rate (nursing-specific) | Not publicly disclosed |
| Typical GPA range | Not publicly disclosed on the overview pages reviewed |
| TEAS / HESI | Not stated on the high-level Villanova nursing summaries reviewed; confirm with admissions for your pathway |
| Contact emails (examples) | nursing.recruitment@villanova.edu for recruitment questions; nursing.enrollment@villanova.edu for application status (per graduate pages) |
Second-degree applicants should attend Villanova’s advertised virtual information sessions—they distribute application fee waivers—and tour the Simulation and Learning Resource Center if you can visit campus.
Tuition & Cost of Attendance
Villanova is private—undergraduate nursing students pay the same tuition band as other students in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, Engineering, Nursing, and School of Business unless a program-specific schedule applies. Figures below come from Villanova’s Bursar Tuition and Fees page (2026–2027 rates) and the Cost of Attendance page, which also breaks out the Second Degree Accelerated BSN.
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Traditional undergraduate nursing (full-time, 9+ credits per semester) | $72,990 annual tuition (2026–2027) + $1,024 undergraduate student services fee ($512 per semester); per-credit rate $4,055 if enrolled below 9 credits in a term (per Bursar) |
| Estimated COA — on/off-campus undergrad (2026–2027) | $96,886 total budget including tuition, fees, housing, food, books, supplies, personal, transportation, and loan fees (Villanova financial assistance page) |
| Second Degree Accelerated BSN (2026–2027 Express/Flex) | Total program tuition $55,620; Express billed at $13,905 per semester for four semesters; Flex at $9,270 per semester for six semesters (Bursar narrative matching cost-of-attendance table) |
| Graduate nursing per credit (2026–2027) | MSN $1,120; DNP $1,520; Nurse Anesthetist DNP $1,430; PhD Nursing $1,710; plus $157 general fee per semester (Bursar graduate grid) |
| Common undergrad fees (examples) | $80 application fee; $700 tuition deposit; $300 orientation fee for new first-year students (Bursar fees table) |
| Source | Villanova Tuition & Fees (Bursar); Cost of Attendance. Confirm billing with the Bursar. |
Villanova lists federal school code 003388 on its financial assistance materials for FAFSA filers. Nursing students should also review merit scholarships, ROTC pathways, and Fitzpatrick College scholarship communications alongside Villanova’s central aid office.
Student Outcomes & Career Prospects
Pair board-released NCLEX data with Villanova’s own Fast Facts for a fuller—though still survey-based—picture of employment after graduation.
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| NCLEX-RN first-time pass (BSN) | 93.01% (213/229, PA BON spreadsheet, testing year Oct. 1, 2024–Sept. 30, 2025)—confirm newest file on PA DOS nursing education page |
| Undergraduate outcomes (starting salary) | $90,510 average undergraduate starting salary per Villanova College of Nursing homepage Fast Facts, described as Class of 2025 survey within six months of spring graduation (school-reported; confirm methodology with Villanova) |
| Undergraduate outcomes (opportunities secured) | Villanova reports reported 98.9% “successfully secured opportunities” for the same Class of 2025 survey window—confirm definitions (employment vs. grad school) with the college |
| Nurse anesthesia DNP (NCLEX-related exam) | Villanova publishes multi-year first-time pass statistics on its nurse anesthesia statistics page; those figures apply to the anesthesia program, not the pre-licensure BSN—read that page for cohort-specific % |
| Source | PA BON RN NCLEX spreadsheet; Villanova nursing homepage (Fast Facts) |
Is Villanova University Fitzpatrick College of Nursing the Right Fit for You?
Villanova fits students looking for a selective Catholic research university on the Main Line, a full ladder from BSN to DNP/PhD, and board-verifiable NCLEX metrics. It is less suited to budget-sensitive in-state public tuition or fully remote pre-licensure nursing.
✓ Good fit for students who—
- Value NLN Center of Excellence recognition, a nationally visible alumni network, and Villanova’s Augustinian mission.
- Want Philadelphia-region Level I pediatric and academic medical center exposure (e.g., CHOP, Penn Medicine, Jefferson) alongside suburban community placements.
- Need either a four-year BSN or a condensed Second Degree track with clearly advertised deadline tiers.
- Plan to continue to APRN or nurse anesthesia study at the same institution that trained them as an RN.
✗ May not be ideal for students who—
- Require the lowest published tuition; Villanova’s 2026–2027 full-time undergrad rate exceeds $72k before housing.
- Cannot commute or relocate to the Philadelphia area for intensive ABSN clinical weeks.
- Expect a part-time, evening pre-licensure BSN—Villanova’s published pathways emphasize daytime professional programs.
Local Healthcare Ecosystem
Villanova sits on the suburban Main Line west of Philadelphia, minutes from the I-76 corridor linking Paoli, Bryn Mawr, and University City. That positions nursing students between community hospitals in Delaware and Chester counties and quaternary centers in Philadelphia itself—producing breadth from critical access to transplant, pediatric, and Level I trauma services.
| Facility / system | Details |
|---|---|
| Penn Medicine (HUP, Pennsylvania Hospital, etc.) | Academic medical complex routinely referenced in regional nursing clinical pipelines. |
| Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) | Pediatric quaternary center commonly cited by Villanova alumni profiles. |
| Jefferson Health / Einstein network | Large multi-campus employer across Philadelphia County. |
| ChristianaCare (DE/PA corridor) | Regional health system highlighted in Villanova student spotlights for ICU residency placements. |
| Main Line Health | Suburban nonprofit system operating Bryn Mawr, Lankenau, and other hospitals near campus—useful for med–surg and community rotations. |
Student Experience & Campus Life
Nursing faculty offices, simulation suites, and active-learning classrooms are concentrated in Driscoll Hall, connected to the broader Villanova campus green and gothic-revival architecture. Undergraduates join NSNA chapters, research teams, global-health immersions, and the LEAD professional development program referenced on Villanova’s site. Graduate students split time between online modules and on-campus intensives depending on track. Outside clinical, Villanova is a Big East Division I school with tight undergraduate community traditions—factor student-life expectations into your fit analysis.
Resources & Next Steps
Contact & location
- Campus location
- Villanova, PA
- Address
- Driscoll Hall, 800 Lancaster Avenue, Villanova, PA 19085, US
- College telephone
- 610-519-4900 · nursing.inquiries@villanova.edu
- Undergraduate nursing
- 610-519-4926 (program office)
- Graduate nursing
- 610-519-4907 (graduate office)
- Website
- villanova.edu
Official links
Your “Next 7 Days” checklist
- Download Villanova’s latest curriculum PDFs for Traditional BSN or Second Degree Accelerated BSN and map prerequisites against your transcripts.
- Register for a Villanova nursing information session (fee waivers are often advertised for attendees).
- Open the Pennsylvania State Board of Nursing RN NCLEX spreadsheet and bookmark Villanova’s row for future comparison.
- Estimate net cost using Villanova’s cost of attendance tables plus any outside scholarships you already hold.
- Email nursing.recruitment@villanova.edu with pathway-specific questions if web pages leave gaps.
- Connect with a recent Villanova BSN graduate via LinkedIn to ask about clinical intensity and commute logistics.
- Set calendar alerts for Express, Flex, or graduate deadlines so secondary materials arrive on time.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Villanova University BSN first-time NCLEX-RN pass rate?
According to the Pennsylvania State Board of Nursing’s downloadable RN NCLEX spreadsheet (first-time testers, Oct. 1, 2024–Sept. 30, 2025), Villanova University BSN had a 93.01% pass rate (213 of 229). The same file shows Pennsylvania and U.S. aggregates for that window. Confirm the next publication on the Board’s nursing education programs page.
What nursing programs does Villanova’s Fitzpatrick College offer?
Villanova lists a Traditional four-year BSN, a Second Degree Accelerated BSN (14-month Express or 23-month Flex), MSN tracks (Adult-Gerontology, Family, Pediatric, and Psychiatric-Mental Health nurse practitioner plus Nursing Education), post-graduate certificates in those roles, a Post-Master’s DNP, a Post-Baccalaureate DNP Nurse Anesthesia program, PhD in Nursing, and Health Care Professional Development offerings.
How much is Villanova undergraduate nursing tuition in 2026–2027?
The Villanova Bursar posts $72,990 annual tuition for full-time undergraduates in Liberal Arts, Engineering, Nursing, or Business plus a $1,024 undergraduate student services fee for 2026–2027. Second Degree Accelerated BSN students pay a $55,620 total program tuition split across four or six semesters depending on track.
Does Villanova offer an accelerated BSN?
Yes—the Second Degree Accelerated BSN is Villanova’s ABSN-style program for people who already completed a non-nursing bachelor’s degree, with Express and Flex pacing options.
When are Villanova ABSN application deadlines?
Villanova lists September 15 and December 15 deadlines for the 14-month Express cohort and March 15 for the 23-month Flex cohort; verify the intake you want on the official Second Degree page.
What graduate application deadlines does Villanova Nursing publish?
MSN and post-graduate certificate applicants submit complete files by April 1 for summer starts and November 1 for spring starts according to Villanova’s master’s/Certificate overview.
What salary or placement data does Villanova advertise?
The College of Nursing homepage Fast Facts (Class of 2025 survey within six months of spring graduation) cites a $90,510 average undergraduate starting salary and that 98.9% successfully secured opportunities—confirm definitions and survey methodology with Villanova before comparing to other schools.
What accreditations does Villanova Nursing list?
Villanova cites CCNE accreditation for baccalaureate, master’s, DNP, and post-graduate APRN certificate programs; COA accreditation for nurse anesthesia; Pennsylvania State Board of Nursing approval; and additional accreditations such as ANCC continuing education provider status.
Does Villanova require the TEAS for nursing?
The overview pages we reviewed did not spell out a universal TEAS policy; ask Villanova Undergraduate Admission or the College of Nursing for the requirement tied to your entry term.
Where can I verify Villanova’s address and phone?
Use the college’s public contact page: main number 610-519-4900, Driscoll Hall at 800 Lancaster Avenue, Villanova, PA 19085, plus pathway-specific emails such as nursing.inquiries@villanova.edu.
References
- Villanova University — M. Louise Fitzpatrick College of Nursing homepagevillanova.edu/nursing
- Villanova — Second Degree Accelerated BSNSecond Degree ABSN
- Villanova — MSN & post-graduate certificatesGraduate tracks
- Villanova — Tuition & Fees (Bursar)Bursar tuition page
- Villanova — Cost of AttendanceCOA tables
- Pennsylvania DOS — Nursing Education Programs (NCLEX spreadsheets)PA nursing education programs
- PA State Board of Nursing — 2024–2025 RN NCLEX five-year spreadsheet (PDF)Download PDF
- Villanova — Accreditation & approvalsAccreditation page
- National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN)ncsbn.org
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics — Registered Nursesbls.gov/ooh
Editorial Standards & Review
About the author: Francesco Di Siena, RN, writes evidence-based nursing education guides for NurseOnShift.
Review: This page was reviewed by Araceli Collado, RN, for Villanova program listings, Bursar tuition alignment, Pennsylvania Board of Nursing NCLEX spreadsheet interpretation, and Villanova Fast Facts employment attribution.
Disclaimer: This page is for general reference only. It does not constitute professional, admissions, or financial advice. Requirements, deadlines, tuition, and policies change; always verify with the institution and the Pennsylvania State Board of Nursing.
Published: March 31, 2026 · Last reviewed: March 31, 2026 · Medical Review Process · Editorial Policy