Houston vs Old Dominion - US university comparison
KEY DATA
HEAD-TO-HEAD STATISTICS
The verdict, from the data
Houston admits 73.9% of applicants, while Old Dominion admits 90.4%.
For an applicant from outside the US the difference is financial: Old Dominion awards international students $16,000 on average, Houston awards $4,456.
The one that looks dearer ends up cheaper: Old Dominion lists $55,051 against $45,970 (Houston), but after average aid what remains is $24,614 against $29,520.
On both axes at once the winner is Houston: lower tuition ($27,926 against $33,885) and a higher median salary ($62K against $55K, Old Dominion).
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
Houston is the more selective of the two (73.92% vs 90.4% acceptance). Houston ranks higher in the ARWU world research ranking (#201-300 vs #801-900). Houston graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($62K vs $55K). Houston has lower sticker-price tuition ($27,926 vs $33,885 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 Houston for: a higher world ranking, higher selectivity, higher graduate earnings.
Choose Old Dominion for: a larger aid package.
College Council Atlas analysis · IPEDS / College Scorecard CDS 2024-25, ARWU 2024.
BY THE NUMBERS
Houston is more selective (73.92% vs 90.4% acceptance); Houston has a higher median SAT (1240 vs 1197).
Houston graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($62K vs $55K); Houston has a higher 6-year graduation rate (64.6% vs 46.3%).
Houston has lower sticker-price tuition ($27,926 vs $33,885); Old Dominion offers a larger average aid package ($30,437 vs $16,450).
VALUE LANDSCAPE
FULL DATA TABLE
| Metric | Houston | Old Dominion |
|---|---|---|
| World rank · ARWU | #201-300 | #801-900 |
| Rank · THE | - | - |
| Acceptance rate | 73.92% | 90.4% |
| Yield rate | 26.5% | 19.9% |
| Median SAT | 1240 | 1197 |
| Avg. GPA | 3.49 | 3.45 |
| Number of applications | 31,716 | 15,100 |
| International students | 5.7% | 1.3% |
| Median earnings · 10 yrs | $62K | $55K |
| Bottom 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $39K | $37K |
| Top 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $93K | $80K |
| Graduation rate | 64.6% | 46.3% |
| Retention rate | 87% | 77% |
| Median debt | $18,194 | $24,000 |
| Tuition · year | $27,926 | $33,885 |
| Avg. aid package | $16,450 | $30,437 |
| % of need met | 55.1% | 53% |
| Avg. graduate debt | $21,819 | $32,043 |
| Application fee | $75 | $50 |
| Enrollment | 47,980 | 23,743 |
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is it harder to get into Houston or Old Dominion?
It's harder to get into Houston. Houston accepts 73.92% of applicants, while Old Dominion accepts 90.4%.
Do Houston or Old Dominion graduates earn more?
Houston graduates earn more: the median 10 years after enrollment is $62K vs $55K.
How much is tuition at Houston vs Old Dominion?
Sticker-price tuition is $27,926 per year at Houston and $33,885 per year at Old Dominion.
What SAT score do you need for Houston or Old Dominion?
The median admitted SAT score is 1240 at Houston and 1197 at Old Dominion; aim for these values or higher to be competitive.
Which university ranks higher - Houston or Old Dominion?
Houston ranks higher in the ARWU world ranking: #201-300 for Houston vs #801-900 for Old Dominion.
Which university offers more financial aid - Houston or Old Dominion?
The average aid package is $16,450 at Houston and $30,437 at Old Dominion.
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