Cornell vs Old Dominion - US university comparison
KEY DATA
HEAD-TO-HEAD STATISTICS
The verdict, from the data
These are two different admissions games: Cornell admits 8.4% of applications, Old Dominion admits 90.4%.
The more international environment is at Cornell (10.3% international students) than Old Dominion (1.3%).
Real money goes to international students at Cornell ($84,351 on average), while Old Dominion stops at $16,000.
On paper the cheaper option is Old Dominion: $33,885 against $72,270, which is $38,385 less a year.
The indicators describe a university as a whole, and your own course can sit a long way from that average.
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
Cornell is the more selective of the two (8.41% vs 90.4% acceptance). Cornell ranks higher in the ARWU world research ranking (#12 vs #801-900). Cornell graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($104K vs $55K). Old Dominion has lower sticker-price tuition ($33,885 vs $72,270 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 Cornell 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
Cornell is more selective (8.41% vs 90.4% acceptance); Cornell has a higher median SAT (1540 vs 1197).
Cornell graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($104K vs $55K); Cornell has a higher 6-year graduation rate (95.4% vs 46.3%).
Old Dominion has lower sticker-price tuition ($33,885 vs $72,270); Cornell offers a larger average aid package ($64,225 vs $30,437).
VALUE LANDSCAPE
FULL DATA TABLE
| Metric | Cornell | Old Dominion |
|---|---|---|
| World rank · ARWU | #12 | #801-900 |
| Rank · THE | #20 | - |
| Acceptance rate | 8.41% | 90.4% |
| Yield rate | 63.9% | 19.9% |
| Median SAT | 1540 | 1197 |
| Avg. GPA | - | 3.45 |
| Number of applications | 65,612 | 15,100 |
| International students | 10.3% | 1.3% |
| Median earnings · 10 yrs | $104K | $55K |
| Bottom 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $67K | $37K |
| Top 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $166K | $80K |
| Graduation rate | 95.4% | 46.3% |
| Retention rate | 98.1% | 77% |
| Median debt | $14,000 | $24,000 |
| Tuition · year | $72,270 | $33,885 |
| Avg. aid package | $64,225 | $30,437 |
| % of need met | 100% | 53% |
| Avg. graduate debt | $29,441 | $32,043 |
| Application fee | $80 | $50 |
| Enrollment | 26,793 | 23,743 |
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is it harder to get into Cornell or Old Dominion?
It's harder to get into Cornell. Cornell accepts 8.41% of applicants, while Old Dominion accepts 90.4%.
Do Cornell or Old Dominion graduates earn more?
Cornell graduates earn more: the median 10 years after enrollment is $104K vs $55K.
How much is tuition at Cornell vs Old Dominion?
Sticker-price tuition is $72,270 per year at Cornell and $33,885 per year at Old Dominion.
What SAT score do you need for Cornell or Old Dominion?
The median admitted SAT score is 1540 at Cornell and 1197 at Old Dominion; aim for these values or higher to be competitive.
Which university ranks higher - Cornell or Old Dominion?
Cornell ranks higher in the ARWU world ranking: #12 for Cornell vs #801-900 for Old Dominion.
Which university offers more financial aid - Cornell or Old Dominion?
The average aid package is $64,225 at Cornell and $30,437 at Old Dominion.
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