Frequently Asked Questions: Rosemont College & Villanova University Merger
As of March 31, 2025, Rosemont College and Villanova University announced a merger agreement that will integrate the two neighboring Catholic institutions over a multi year transition. Through the information below, we seek to answer some of the commonly asked questions by students, faculty, staff, and alumni around the merger.
If you’re a current Rosemont family, know that the agreement emphasizes continuity for students. Regulatory approvals are pending from bodies like the Middle States Commission on Higher Education. More information can be found on Villanova’s FAQ site and Rosemont’s Merger News Center.
This page is updated periodically.
The latest update was on April 26, 2026, with the newest additions at the bottom.
Is Rosemont College closing?
No, Rosemont College is not closing. Instead, it will merge with Villanova University through a phased, multi year transition beginning in 2027. Rosemont will continue operating as a separate entity during this period, allowing current students to complete their studies and graduate with Rosemont degrees through the Spring 2028 semester. By 2028, the institution will fully integrate, becoming “Villanova University, Rosemont Campus.” Rosemont’s history, mission, and key facilities—like the Chapel—will be preserved. This structure provides a deliberate pathway forward to ensure continuity.
Is Rosemont being acquired by Villanova?
What is the timeline for the merger?
The transition is multi phased and begins in 2027, with Rosemont continuing to confer degrees through the Spring 2028 semester. Existing students will be able to take classes on the Rosemont campus through that time. The necessary regulatory and other approvals needed to finalize the merger are expected by mid 2028. This deliberate pace allows for a smooth merger with extended teach out periods to minimize disruptions for students.
Visit Rosemont’s Merger News Center
What happens to current Rosemont students?
Rosemont prioritized its current students, so that they may be able to complete their degrees at Rosemont with full support from faculty and staff, including continued access to educational and extracurricular activities. However, Rosemont recognizes that its students will benefit from multiple pathways to degree completion. Students who have a C average or better and are not graduating by 2028 will be eligible to transfer seamlessly to Villanova’s College of Professional Studies (CPS), where teach out plans will ensure no disruption to their education. Financial aid and academic credits will transfer in accordance with Villanova’s commitment, and students will be able to continue at a Villanova CPS tuition rate aligned with Rosemont’s current cost structure, allowing them to complete a degree in one of the College’s seven majors.
In addition to Villanova’s CPS, Rosemont is pursuing teach out partnerships with other local institutions. These partnerships aim to match student tuition costs, accept all transfer credits, and keep students on track for graduation. These agreements are expected to be finalized by the end of the spring semester in order to provide avenues for transfer to current students as early as Summer 2026, if desired. Overall, Rosemont’s approach prioritizes student retention while providing flexible pathways to degree completion with minimal disruption.
Students can contact Christy Leigh Carcamo or Holly Todd in the Student Academic Success Center (SASC) at sasc@rosemont.edu with any questions.
What about prospective students applying to Rosemont?
Rosemont College is no longer accepting applications to any of its degree programs. Non credit workshops, masterclasses, and retreats are still available to the general public, most of which are offered via the Writer’s Studio.
Will faculty jobs be affected?
Rosemont’s tenured faculty will be offered 5 year contracts at Villanova with a minimum 10% raise and the option to apply for tenured status. Tenure track faculty will be offered 3 year contracts with a minimum 10% raise and the option to apply for tenured status. Rosemont non tenure track and adjunct faculty are invited to apply for any available employment opportunities at Villanova.
Will staff jobs be affected?
Staff will continue supporting operations during the transition. On an ongoing basis, Rosemont staffing levels will be assessed and adjusted based upon enrollment. Rosemont employees may apply for available jobs at Villanova at any time.
What is life like on campus?
Rosemont’s campus is as vibrant as ever! From Cultural Heritage Gallery events and Art Exhibits to consistent Student Engagement activities and Study Abroad programs, campus life continues to thrive. Stay connected and subscribe to the weekly RoConnections newsletter and follow us on social media to keep up with all that is happening on campus!
What happens to athletics & extracurriculars?
Rosemont’s participation in NCAA III sports will end after the Spring 2026 semester. Rosemont expects that its remaining teams will transition to club sports. Rosemont also introduced a co ed intramural program that began in February of 2026. The college is exploring transfer pathways for its student athletes to other NCAA III institutions. Extracurriculars like clubs and events will largely continue as planned during the transition. There is an NCAA III Baseball Team for the Spring 2026 season.
How will tuition, financial aid, & accreditation be handled?
Tuition: 2024 – 25 tuition and fees will not change due to this agreement. Tuition increases are capped at 5% per year through 2028. Rosemont is currently pursuing teach out partnerships with other local institutions with the goal of matching student tuition costs and accepting all transfer credits to keep students on pace for graduation. Should a student elect to transfer to Villanova’s College of Professional Studies, post merger rates will align with Villanova’s competitive regional rates.
Financial Aid: All students who are currently enrolled at Rosemont will receive the same scholarships and aid and will be able to access the same services and facilities as they do today.
Accreditation: This agreement must be approved by our accreditor, Middle States Commission on Higher Education, and by the Pennsylvania and U.S. Departments Departments of Education. Both Rosemont and Villanova are confident it will be approved and are working closely together and with these entities.
How will Rosemont's Catholic mission & legacy be preserved?
Villanova is committed to honoring the legacy of Rosemont College after the merger is complete. The merger honors Rosemont’s roots with the Society of the Holy Child Jesus through retained naming which will be “Villanova University, Rosemont Campus”. Most notably, the Chapel will be preserved as a place of gathering and inspiration. An endowed scholarship will be established for a student in need that supports the mission of the Society of the Holy Child Jesus.
What resources are available for more support?
Contact Rosemont’s student affairs offices for personalized guidance. For emotional support, student counseling will continue uninterrupted and student wellness resources remain readily available. Student advisors remain a resource as does the Student Academic Success Center (SASC).
Both Villanova’s Agreement FAQs and Rosemont’s Merger News Center provide updates.
Will Rosemont continue alumni events on campus?
Yes, Villanova will honor and continue key events important to Rosemont alumni, including Reunion Weekend, the Golden Rose Mass and Luncheon, and other cherished traditions, celebrating Rosemont’s history and ongoing legacy.
Where do donations to Rosemont go now?
Rosemont College donations go to Rosemont College. Rosemont will continue to confer degrees through June 2028. Donations will be directed according to donor intent; unless otherwise designated, contributions will support the Experience Fund—the area of greatest need. This fund ensures that students attending Rosemont through 2028 can enjoy the same educational, full and enriching college experience as alumni did, sustaining the College’s mission and legacy throughout this transition.
What are the plans for the Rosemont campus?
The current focus is on best serving our Rosemont students. There are no definitive plans yet regarding how the Rosemont campus will be used once the merger is finalized. However, historic buildings and spaces on campus will be honored, including maintaining the name of the Gertrude Kistler Memorial Library, preserving the Marshall Garden Grotto and maintaining the Frank Connelly sculpture on campus. The Chapel will be preserved as a place of gathering and inspiration. Villanova and Rosemont’s archivists will be meeting to discuss the preservation of special collections.
We are confident in our agreement with Villanova and the plan to preserve Rosemont College’s history, mission, ministry and legacy. Additional information will be shared closer to the final phase of the transition.
How can I request my transcript & other educational records?
The current Rosemont College process is still in place to request transcripts, degree verification and diploma reprints through the Registrar’s Office.
Once the merger is completed, Villanova’s Office of the Registrar is committed to upholding the integrity of Rosemont College alumni and former students’ educational records with seamless access to obtaining their transcripts, degree verification and diploma reprints. Details regarding the specific procedures to request those records and official academic transcripts post-merger will be shared closer to the final merger date.
What happens to my Rosemont degree after the merger?
All Rosemont degrees have been issued by an accredited institution and remain valid.
Does this mean I can now say I graduated from Villanova?
No, you completed degree requirements from Rosemont College as is indicated on your diploma.
Will Rosemont students & alumni become Villanova students & alumni?
No. All current students will remain Rosemont students and have the opportunity to complete their studies at Rosemont College under the terms of the merger agreement. All graduates of Rosemont remain Rosemont alumni with degrees from Rosemont College.
However, Rosemont students who have not completed their degree by the end of the Spring 2028 semester do have the option to transfer to Villanova’s College of Professional Studies. And, once the merger is completed, Villanova will support Rosemont alumni in maintaining a distinct and connected Rosemont community.
Villanova will provide services, benefits, communications and other alumni resources, including career programs designed to align with the needs of the Rosemont community. Villanova will honor key events important to Rosemont alumni, acknowledging Rosemont’s history and continuing Rosemont’s legacy.
