Which is more selective, Villanova or the University of Pennsylvania?

The University of Pennsylvania is much more selective overall than Villanova. Penn is an Ivy League university with a far more competitive applicant pool, and admission there is exceptionally difficult across the board. Villanova is also selective and well regarded, but it is not in the same admissions tier as Penn for overall difficulty of entry.

For a student comparing the two in terms of odds alone, Penn should be treated as a major reach for almost everyone, including very strong applicants. Villanova is still competitive and can absolutely be challenging, but it is more realistic for a broader range of high-achieving students.

That difference also shows up in who each school tends to attract. Penn draws a huge number of applicants with top grades, rigorous coursework, and standout extracurriculars from around the world. Villanova attracts many strong applicants too, especially students interested in a mid-sized Catholic university with a strong undergraduate focus, but the level of competition is not as extreme.

So if your question is simply which school is harder to get into overall, the answer is Penn by a clear margin. Villanova is selective; Penn is among the most selective universities in the country.