Villanova to invest million in Rosemont College as part of acquisition deal.

Villanova University has officially committed to providing Rosemont College with a significant financial infusion of up to million as part of their merger agreement. This collaboration, which was first announced in March, will see the financially struggling Rosemont integrate into Villanova University, one of the region’s largest Catholic educational institutions, beginning in 2027 with the merger finalized by 2028.

In a bid to stabilize Rosemont, Villanova previously granted million in December to secure exclusivity during negotiations, followed by an additional million after formalizing their agreement. Subsequent to this, Villanova will place million into escrow to support Rosemont’s operational costs, with further commitments of million and million scheduled for June 2026 and June 2027, respectively. Should Rosemont’s circumstances change before the merger’s completion, any unutilized funds will revert to Villanova.

As planned, the Rosemont College campus will be recognized as Villanova University, Rosemont Campus come 2028. Situated less than a mile from Villanova, Rosemont boasts historical neo-Gothic architecture and has been a fixture in Catholic higher education for more than a century. However, it has struggled financially, with an enrollment of just 774 students. Recent assessments highlighted that the institution was one of 13 evaluated for financial health, revealing substantial operating losses over the past five years and reliance on borrowing from its restricted endowment to meet expenses.

With a modest endowment of million, the smallest among its peers, Rosemont faces steep competition in attracting students. To address its financial difficulties, the college has enacted several measures, including a substantial 9.7% tuition increase for the 2025-26 academic year. The new tuition will rise from approximately ,700 to align better with the rising costs of education, while acknowledging that it must also attract and retain students in a challenging market.

The college’s financial landscape worsened over time, leading to strategic changes in its financial aid offerings. Historically expensive financial aid programs have been scaled back to alleviate losses tied to scholarships covering room and board. Despite these efforts, the institution has navigated a series of operational challenges, including a deficit that dates back to its transition to coeducation in 2009.

As the transition unfolds over the next few years, Rosemont College will maintain its independent operations, allowing current students to complete their degrees by June 2028. While most extracurricular activities will continue, the college plans to discontinue its varsity sports after the next academic year as part of its restructuring efforts. This merger represents a pivotal moment in the landscape of Catholic higher education on the Main Line, illustrating the pressing need for strategic partnerships amid evolving financial realities.

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