Carnegie Mellon vs Old Dominion - US university comparison
KEY DATA
HEAD-TO-HEAD STATISTICS
The verdict, from the data
Old Dominion accepts most of the applications it receives (90.4%), while Carnegie Mellon turns away the overwhelming majority (11.7%).
The more international environment is at Carnegie Mellon (23.3% international students) than Old Dominion (1.3%).
Carnegie Mellon reports no financial aid for international students, while Old Dominion awards them $16,000 on average. For an applicant from outside the US that is usually the most important difference on this page.
The cheaper tuition belongs to Old Dominion: $33,885 against $68,776, or $34,891 less a year.
None of these figures decides on its own; what decides is which course you want to be on, and on what budget.
Every sentence above comes from a field we hold in canonical. Where the data is missing, or the gap is small enough to be noise, the sentence simply does not appear.
EXPERT TAKE
Carnegie Mellon is the more selective of the two (11.66% vs 90.4% acceptance). Carnegie Mellon ranks higher in the ARWU world research ranking (#101-150 vs #801-900). Carnegie Mellon graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($115K vs $55K). Old Dominion has lower sticker-price tuition ($33,885 vs $68,776 per year).
Both universities have complete, comparable data in canonical - the choice should come down to fit (campus culture, major, aid package) alongside the differences visible in the numbers below.
Choose Carnegie Mellon for: a higher world ranking, higher selectivity, higher graduate earnings.
Choose Old Dominion for: lower tuition.
College Council Atlas analysis · IPEDS / College Scorecard CDS 2024-25, ARWU 2024.
BY THE NUMBERS
Carnegie Mellon is more selective (11.66% vs 90.4% acceptance); Carnegie Mellon has a higher median SAT (1540 vs 1197).
Carnegie Mellon graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($115K vs $55K); Carnegie Mellon has a higher 6-year graduation rate (94.1% vs 46.3%).
Old Dominion has lower sticker-price tuition ($33,885 vs $68,776); Carnegie Mellon offers a larger average aid package ($60,909 vs $30,437).
VALUE LANDSCAPE
FULL DATA TABLE
| Metric | Carnegie Mellon | Old Dominion |
|---|---|---|
| World rank · ARWU | #101-150 | #801-900 |
| Rank · THE | #24 | - |
| Acceptance rate | 11.66% | 90.4% |
| Yield rate | 45.7% | 19.9% |
| Median SAT | 1540 | 1197 |
| Avg. GPA | 3.89 | 3.45 |
| Number of applications | 33,941 | 15,100 |
| International students | 23.3% | 1.3% |
| Median earnings · 10 yrs | $115K | $55K |
| Bottom 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $73K | $37K |
| Top 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $183K | $80K |
| Graduation rate | 94.1% | 46.3% |
| Retention rate | 98% | 77% |
| Median debt | $21,750 | $24,000 |
| Tuition · year | $68,776 | $33,885 |
| Avg. aid package | $60,909 | $30,437 |
| % of need met | 100% | 53% |
| Avg. graduate debt | $31,298 | $32,043 |
| Application fee | $75 | $50 |
| Enrollment | 16,676 | 23,743 |
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is it harder to get into Carnegie Mellon or Old Dominion?
It's harder to get into Carnegie Mellon. Carnegie Mellon accepts 11.66% of applicants, while Old Dominion accepts 90.4%.
Do Carnegie Mellon or Old Dominion graduates earn more?
Carnegie Mellon graduates earn more: the median 10 years after enrollment is $115K vs $55K.
How much is tuition at Carnegie Mellon vs Old Dominion?
Sticker-price tuition is $68,776 per year at Carnegie Mellon and $33,885 per year at Old Dominion.
What SAT score do you need for Carnegie Mellon or Old Dominion?
The median admitted SAT score is 1540 at Carnegie Mellon and 1197 at Old Dominion; aim for these values or higher to be competitive.
Which university ranks higher - Carnegie Mellon or Old Dominion?
Carnegie Mellon ranks higher in the ARWU world ranking: #101-150 for Carnegie Mellon vs #801-900 for Old Dominion.
Which university offers more financial aid - Carnegie Mellon or Old Dominion?
The average aid package is $60,909 at Carnegie Mellon and $30,437 at Old Dominion.
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