Harvard 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 Harvard turns away the overwhelming majority (3.6%).
The share of international students differs sharply: 15.7% (Harvard) against 1.3% (Old Dominion).
Real money goes to international students at Harvard ($81,046 on average), while Old Dominion stops at $16,000.
The one that looks dearer ends up cheaper: Harvard lists $87,926 against $55,051 (Old Dominion), but after average aid what remains is $13,539 against $24,614.
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
Harvard is the more selective of the two (3.65% vs 90.4% acceptance). Harvard ranks higher in the ARWU world research ranking (#1 vs #801-900). Harvard graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($102K vs $55K). Old Dominion has lower sticker-price tuition ($33,885 vs $64,796 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 Harvard 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
Harvard is more selective (3.65% vs 90.4% acceptance); Harvard has a higher median SAT (1553 vs 1197).
Harvard graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($102K vs $55K); Harvard has a higher 6-year graduation rate (97.6% vs 46.3%).
Old Dominion has lower sticker-price tuition ($33,885 vs $64,796); Harvard offers a larger average aid package ($74,387 vs $30,437).
VALUE LANDSCAPE
FULL DATA TABLE
| Metric | Harvard | Old Dominion |
|---|---|---|
| World rank · ARWU | #1 | #801-900 |
| Rank · THE | #3 | - |
| Acceptance rate | 3.65% | 90.4% |
| Yield rate | 83.6% | 19.9% |
| Median SAT | 1553 | 1197 |
| Avg. GPA | 4.21 | 3.45 |
| Number of applications | 54,008 | 15,100 |
| International students | 15.7% | 1.3% |
| Median earnings · 10 yrs | $102K | $55K |
| Bottom 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $65K | $37K |
| Top 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $200K | $80K |
| Graduation rate | 97.6% | 46.3% |
| Retention rate | 98% | 77% |
| Median debt | $14,000 | $24,000 |
| Tuition · year | $64,796 | $33,885 |
| Avg. aid package | $74,387 | $30,437 |
| % of need met | 100% | 53% |
| Avg. graduate debt | $22,262 | $32,043 |
| Application fee | $85 | $50 |
| Enrollment | 21,189 | 23,743 |
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is it harder to get into Harvard or Old Dominion?
It's harder to get into Harvard. Harvard accepts 3.65% of applicants, while Old Dominion accepts 90.4%.
Do Harvard or Old Dominion graduates earn more?
Harvard graduates earn more: the median 10 years after enrollment is $102K vs $55K.
How much is tuition at Harvard vs Old Dominion?
Sticker-price tuition is $64,796 per year at Harvard and $33,885 per year at Old Dominion.
What SAT score do you need for Harvard or Old Dominion?
The median admitted SAT score is 1553 at Harvard and 1197 at Old Dominion; aim for these values or higher to be competitive.
Which university ranks higher - Harvard or Old Dominion?
Harvard ranks higher in the ARWU world ranking: #1 for Harvard vs #801-900 for Old Dominion.
Which university offers more financial aid - Harvard or Old Dominion?
The average aid package is $74,387 at Harvard and $30,437 at Old Dominion.
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