Real Estate at Villanova University

Villanova's real estate graduates command earnings that land in the 95th percentile nationally—$75,702 right out of college versus a national median of $54,665. That's a substantial premium, though within Pennsylvania, the program sits closer to the middle of the pack at the 60th percentile. Still, with only four schools in the state offering this degree, graduates are entering a specialized field with strong earning potential, and the $27,000 debt load is notably lower than what students typically carry nationally.

The trajectory looks solid: earnings jump 35% to reach nearly $102,000 by year four, while the debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.36 suggests manageable repayment. That said, the sample size here is small—fewer than 30 graduates—which means these numbers could shift significantly with just a handful of different outcomes. The selectivity of Villanova (25% admission rate) also means these strong results may reflect the caliber of students who get in, not just what the program itself delivers.

For a family comfortable with Villanova's selective admissions and price point, this program appears to deliver on earnings. The debt is reasonable, and graduates are launching careers with salaries that significantly outpace most real estate programs nationwide. Just recognize that with such a small cohort, individual results may vary more than usual.