Villanova University

VU is an online school offering degrees for remote students. Most online students study at the graduate level, with 36% of master's and doctoral students studying entirely online, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. 

VU is a reputable school with a high graduation rate and high-earning alumni. Its 88% graduation rate is 30% higher than the midpoint for other four-year universities, and its graduates earn median annual salaries of $96,100, according to College Scorecard data (cited above). 

Online students can rest assured that the programs they're pursuing have been vetted for quality. Villanova University is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE) to award online certificates, degrees, and non-credit programs. 

OnlineU only includes accredited online schools on its site.

Along with its high-performing NCAA basketball team, VU is also known for its array of online academic offerings. The professional studies programs are designed for working students and include 100% online undergraduate degrees and certificates. Seven-week accelerated courses also feature online activities and virtual class meetings for busy students.

Federal data from College Scorecard shows that the highest earning degree at VU is the online Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies - Organizational Development and Management. Graduates of this program earn a median annual salary of $122,300. There's also the Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies - Information Systems and Technology, which boasts a $111,800 salary for alums.  

Alternatively, OnlineU's Salary Score metric also helps students determine their potential earnings by comparing alum salaries from different schools using the same online degrees. On a scale of 1 to 100, VU scores 92 for bachelor's degrees and 89 for master's degrees overall. 

Yes, it is difficult to get into VU. College Scorecard reports that only 25% of first-time students are accepted for enrollment. 

VU does not require a minimum GPA for first-year students. However, its website notes that undergraduate applicants' middle 50% weighted GPA is between 4.2 and 4.5. It's important for students to consider their high school GPA when picking a college with such high academic standards.

First-year students applying to college online at VU should know that the school takes a holistic approach to admission. It considers GPA, extracurricular activities, teacher recommendations, college essays, and life experience. 

Online students must complete the following steps to apply:

• Fill out the Villanova University online application. 
• Submit the Villanova Writing Supplements. 
• Pay the $80 nonrefundable application fee. 
• Submit high school transcripts.
• Submit one teacher recommendation.
• College entrance exam scores are also considered, although not required. 

If you remain undecided on the school that's best for you, check out our list of the most popular online schools.