Another small college in financial trouble will close, as D3 Rosemont College will merge with Villanova in 2027. Extracurricular activities will continue at Rosemont until then (assuming this means athletics – no clarification here yet). Villanova did the same thing with former D3 member Cabrini University back in 2024. Here’s the official release announcing the merger:
Rosemont College and Villanova University have entered into a merger agreement that will preserve the legacy and heritage of Rosemont College and merge the neighboring institutions. During this multi-year transition, Rosemont College will continue operating as a separate entity, providing students the opportunity to graduate with Rosemont College degrees.
“The leaders of both boards have worked to create a true partnership that recognizes the changing higher education landscape while ensuring a smooth transition for Rosemont students, faculty, staff and alumni,” said Maria Feeley, chair of the Rosemont College Board of Trustees. “Rosemont is proud to announce this next chapter, which will build on our decadeslong relationship with Villanova and preserve Rosemont’s mission.”
“Villanova and Rosemont enjoy a longstanding connection, and many families in the Greater Philadelphia region celebrate alumni from both institutions,” said Villanova University President the Rev. Peter M. Donohue, OSA, PhD. “This merger agreement represents a unique and powerful opportunity for our two institutions given our shared commitment to advancing Catholic higher education, our close physical proximity and deep alumni connections.”
“We are committed to securing the best possible options for our students, faculty and staff and believe this merger with Villanova offers the best opportunity to ensure that the Rosemont College history and legacy endures,” said Rosemont College President Jim Cawley.
During the transition, the first phase of which will start in 2027, Rosemont College’s educational and many extracurricular activities will continue as planned—supported by Rosemont faculty and staff. Rosemont students who have not completed their degree by 2028 will have multiple options, which include the ability to transfer to Villanova’s College of Professional Studies where they will have the opportunity to complete a degree.
Following the transition, Rosemont will become “Villanova University, Rosemont Campus,” and the campus will honor the legacy of Rosemont’s founders, the Society of the Holy Child Jesus. Additionally, the Chapel will be preserved as a place of gathering and inspiration, and an endowed scholarship will be established supporting the mission of the Society of the Holy Child Jesus.
The terms of the merger are subject to approval from The Middle States Commission on Higher Education as well as state and federal regulators. Additional information will be shared as it becomes available.
Villanova University President the Rev. Peter M. Donohue, OSA, PhD added, “This agreement represents an opportunity to build upon our strengths, invest in critical areas and enhance the Villanova experience for our entire community—now and well into the future.”
About Rosemont College
Founded in 1921 by the Society of the Holy Child Jesus, Rosemont College is a private, Catholic liberal arts institution located in the heart of Pennsylvania’s Main Line. Guided by the values of reverence for each person, justice, and care for the earth, Rosemont is committed to fostering a supportive community where students are encouraged to pursue academic excellence, personal growth, and meaningful service. With a deep sense of mission, Rosemont prepares students to think critically, act compassionately, and lead with purpose in an ever-changing world.
About Villanova University
Since 1842, Villanova University’s Augustinian Catholic intellectual tradition has been the cornerstone of an academic community in which students learn to think critically, act compassionately and succeed while serving others. There are more than 10,000 undergraduate, graduate and law students in the University’s six colleges—the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, the Villanova School of Business, the College of Engineering, the M. Louise Fitzpatrick College of Nursing, the College of Professional Studies and the Villanova University Charles Widger School of Law. Ranked among the nation’s top universities, Villanova supports its students’ intellectual growth and prepares them to become ethical leaders who create positive change everywhere life takes them. For more, visit www.villanova.edu.
