Emory 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 Emory turns away the overwhelming majority (10.3%).
The larger international cohort belongs to Emory: 16.7% of students against 1.3% (Old Dominion).
Real money goes to international students at Emory ($54,457 on average), while Old Dominion stops at $16,000.
The tuition gap is $34,171 a year: $33,885 (Old Dominion) against $68,056.
These numbers describe the cohorts already enrolled, not your chances; treat them as a starting point rather than a forecast.
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
Emory is the more selective of the two (10.29% vs 90.4% acceptance). Emory ranks higher in the ARWU world research ranking (#101-150 vs #801-900). Emory graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($80K vs $55K). Old Dominion has lower sticker-price tuition ($33,885 vs $68,056 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 Emory 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
Emory is more selective (10.29% vs 90.4% acceptance); Emory has a higher median SAT (1510 vs 1197).
Emory graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($80K vs $55K); Emory has a higher 6-year graduation rate (91.1% vs 46.3%).
Old Dominion has lower sticker-price tuition ($33,885 vs $68,056); Emory offers a larger average aid package ($67,329 vs $30,437).
VALUE LANDSCAPE
FULL DATA TABLE
| Metric | Emory | Old Dominion |
|---|---|---|
| World rank · ARWU | #101-150 | #801-900 |
| Rank · THE | - | - |
| Acceptance rate | 10.29% | 90.4% |
| Yield rate | 40.4% | 19.9% |
| Median SAT | 1510 | 1197 |
| Avg. GPA | 3.84 | 3.45 |
| Number of applications | 34,614 | 15,100 |
| International students | 16.7% | 1.3% |
| Median earnings · 10 yrs | $80K | $55K |
| Bottom 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $58K | $37K |
| Top 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $120K | $80K |
| Graduation rate | 91.1% | 46.3% |
| Retention rate | 96% | 77% |
| Median debt | $18,250 | $24,000 |
| Tuition · year | $68,056 | $33,885 |
| Avg. aid package | $67,329 | $30,437 |
| % of need met | 99.9% | 53% |
| Avg. graduate debt | $24,562 | $32,043 |
| Application fee | $75 | $50 |
| Enrollment | 15,179 | 23,743 |
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is it harder to get into Emory or Old Dominion?
It's harder to get into Emory. Emory accepts 10.29% of applicants, while Old Dominion accepts 90.4%.
Do Emory or Old Dominion graduates earn more?
Emory graduates earn more: the median 10 years after enrollment is $80K vs $55K.
How much is tuition at Emory vs Old Dominion?
Sticker-price tuition is $68,056 per year at Emory and $33,885 per year at Old Dominion.
What SAT score do you need for Emory or Old Dominion?
The median admitted SAT score is 1510 at Emory and 1197 at Old Dominion; aim for these values or higher to be competitive.
Which university ranks higher - Emory or Old Dominion?
Emory ranks higher in the ARWU world ranking: #101-150 for Emory vs #801-900 for Old Dominion.
Which university offers more financial aid - Emory or Old Dominion?
The average aid package is $67,329 at Emory and $30,437 at Old Dominion.
Harvard
Stanford
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Princeton
Yale
Cornell
Penn
Johns Hopkins
Washington University
Northwestern