Villanova University landed at No. 33 out of 500 schools on TIME magazine's inaugural Best Colleges in America ranking, released Aug. 25.

The university scored 84.92 overall, with its strongest mark in attractiveness to prospective students: 93.25 out of 100. That sub-score measures admission rate and yield rate, a gauge of how many admitted students choose to enroll. Villanova scored 86.79 in student outcomes and 70.04 in learning environment, The Villanovan reported Monday, Sept. 7.

TIME partnered with data research firm Statista to build the ranking using data from the U.S. Department of Education's Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) and College Scorecard. Student outcomes carry 75% of each school's final score, learning environment accounts for 15% and attractiveness makes up the remaining 10%.

Student outcomes weigh graduates' earnings attributable to the institution, graduation rate and return on investment. Learning environment factors in student-to-faculty ratio, spending per student and a diversity index.

Stanford University took the No. 1 spot, and Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) followed at No. 2. TIME acknowledged that schools with heavy STEM programs may have an edge because STEM degrees tend to produce higher salaries and stronger return on investment.

Still, humanities-focused Harvey Mudd College ranked No. 3 and Claremont McKenna College came in at No. 9.

"If anything, this is the time that the world needs more liberal arts colleges, because we need people to question what's happening," Thyra Briggs, Harvey Mudd's vice president of admissions and financial aid, said in the TIME article.

For families weighing options close to home, the ranking adds to Villanova's national profile. The Radnor Township university also ranked No. 57 among national universities in U.S. News & World Report's 2026 edition. Villanova enrolled 10,299 students in fall 2024, including 7,255 undergraduates.

The university is also growing. It opened a 112-acre Cabrini Campus in Radnor in August after a two-year, $100 million renovation. University President Rev. Peter M. Donohue said the school expects to add about 250 students per year over the next four years, Main Line Media News reported, growing undergraduate enrollment from roughly 7,000 to 8,000.