<p>I'm now trying to decide where o go out of these two schools, and since I like any aspects of both of the universities, what I'm considering now is prestige. Does anyone know which of these schools is better respected/well-known academically?</p>
<p>They’re somewhat apples and oranges so its hard to compare “prestige.” Villanova is not a national research university–it is a regional master’s level university and is highly respected within that category. But GWU is a national research university. GW is not as highly rated within its category as Villanova is within its category but that is a ridiculous comparison.</p>
<p>If you are talking graduate programs, I believe that GW overall is more prestigious. GW has a few highly rated graduate programs in arts and sciences–political science in particular. GW law, moreover, certainly is more prestigious than Villanova law. GW has a medical school; Villanova doesn’t. </p>
<p>On the undergradate level–the difference is far less stark. Except for well-known programs such as international studies, I’d say that the prestige factor is pretty much a wash if the audience is a secular one. If you poll a Catholic audience, I wouldn’t be surprised if Villanova gets the nod. But Villanova really isn’t known nationally except for Big East basketball; GW does have a national reputation for things other than basketball.</p>
<p>This probably has little to do with prestige, but Villanova certainly has a nicer campus—and GWU certainly has a more exciting location.</p>
<p>Thanks so much for replying! this was very helpful and thorough :)</p>
<p>Villanova School of Business was ranked #7 in the nation by Businessweek.</p>
<p>By coincidence, my daughter and I were visiting GWU last week and met a really nice transfer student (junior) from Villanova. She’s an undergraduate anthropology major and she said she loves GW.</p>
<p>A small sample, but I thought I’d mention it.</p>