Kansas State vs Old Dominion - US university comparison
KEY DATA
HEAD-TO-HEAD STATISTICS
The verdict, from the data
Real money goes to international students at Old Dominion ($16,000 on average), while Kansas State stops at $5,729.
The order of prices reverses once aid is counted: Old Dominion starts at $55,051 against $43,928 and ends at $24,614 against $27,960 (Kansas State).
Candidates with higher SAT scores go to Old Dominion: a midpoint of 1197 against 1150, a difference of 47 points.
Both universities have a small international community (at most 1.7% of students), which is worth weighing if that environment matters to you.
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
Kansas State is the more selective of the two (82% vs 90.4% acceptance). Kansas State ranks higher in the ARWU world research ranking (#501-600 vs #801-900). Kansas State graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($57K vs $55K). Kansas State has lower sticker-price tuition ($28,568 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 Kansas State 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
Kansas State is more selective (82% vs 90.4% acceptance); Old Dominion has a higher median SAT (1197 vs 1150).
Kansas State graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($57K vs $55K); Kansas State has a higher 6-year graduation rate (71.1% vs 46.3%).
Kansas State has lower sticker-price tuition ($28,568 vs $33,885); Old Dominion offers a larger average aid package ($30,437 vs $15,968).
VALUE LANDSCAPE
FULL DATA TABLE
| Metric | Kansas State | Old Dominion |
|---|---|---|
| World rank · ARWU | #501-600 | #801-900 |
| Rank · THE | - | - |
| Acceptance rate | 82% | 90.4% |
| Yield rate | 27.5% | 19.9% |
| Median SAT | 1150 | 1197 |
| Avg. GPA | 3.81 | 3.45 |
| Number of applications | 15,432 | 15,100 |
| International students | 1.7% | 1.3% |
| Median earnings · 10 yrs | $57K | $55K |
| Bottom 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $39K | $37K |
| Top 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $83K | $80K |
| Graduation rate | 71.1% | 46.3% |
| Retention rate | 85.6% | 77% |
| Median debt | $21,250 | $24,000 |
| Tuition · year | $28,568 | $33,885 |
| Avg. aid package | $15,968 | $30,437 |
| % of need met | 77% | 53% |
| Avg. graduate debt | $25,179 | $32,043 |
| Application fee | $40 | $50 |
| Enrollment | 20,295 | 23,743 |
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is it harder to get into Kansas State or Old Dominion?
It's harder to get into Kansas State. Kansas State accepts 82% of applicants, while Old Dominion accepts 90.4%.
Do Kansas State or Old Dominion graduates earn more?
Kansas State graduates earn more: the median 10 years after enrollment is $57K vs $55K.
How much is tuition at Kansas State vs Old Dominion?
Sticker-price tuition is $28,568 per year at Kansas State and $33,885 per year at Old Dominion.
What SAT score do you need for Kansas State or Old Dominion?
The median admitted SAT score is 1150 at Kansas State and 1197 at Old Dominion; aim for these values or higher to be competitive.
Which university ranks higher - Kansas State or Old Dominion?
Kansas State ranks higher in the ARWU world ranking: #501-600 for Kansas State vs #801-900 for Old Dominion.
Which university offers more financial aid - Kansas State or Old Dominion?
The average aid package is $15,968 at Kansas State and $30,437 at Old Dominion.
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