Notre Dame 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 Notre Dame turns away the overwhelming majority (11.3%).
The share of international students differs sharply: 7.5% (Notre Dame) against 1.3% (Old Dominion).
For an applicant from outside the US the difference is financial: Notre Dame awards international students $62,803 on average, Old Dominion awards $16,000.
The one that looks dearer ends up cheaper: Notre Dame lists $87,295 against $55,051 (Old Dominion), but after average aid what remains is $19,440 against $24,614.
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
Notre Dame is the more selective of the two (11.3% vs 90.4% acceptance). Notre Dame ranks higher in the ARWU world research ranking (#301-400 vs #801-900). Notre Dame graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($100K vs $55K). Old Dominion has lower sticker-price tuition ($33,885 vs $67,607 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 Notre Dame 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
Notre Dame is more selective (11.3% vs 90.4% acceptance); Notre Dame has a higher median SAT (1510 vs 1197).
Notre Dame graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($100K vs $55K); Notre Dame has a higher 6-year graduation rate (95% vs 46.3%).
Old Dominion has lower sticker-price tuition ($33,885 vs $67,607); Notre Dame offers a larger average aid package ($67,855 vs $30,437).
VALUE LANDSCAPE
FULL DATA TABLE
| Metric | Notre Dame | Old Dominion |
|---|---|---|
| World rank · ARWU | #301-400 | #801-900 |
| Rank · THE | - | - |
| Acceptance rate | 11.3% | 90.4% |
| Yield rate | 61.7% | 19.9% |
| Median SAT | 1510 | 1197 |
| Avg. GPA | - | 3.45 |
| Number of applications | 29,942 | 15,100 |
| International students | 7.5% | 1.3% |
| Median earnings · 10 yrs | $100K | $55K |
| Bottom 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $68K | $37K |
| Top 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $141K | $80K |
| Graduation rate | 95% | 46.3% |
| Retention rate | 99% | 77% |
| Median debt | $19,000 | $24,000 |
| Tuition · year | $67,607 | $33,885 |
| Avg. aid package | $67,855 | $30,437 |
| % of need met | 100% | 53% |
| Avg. graduate debt | $30,400 | $32,043 |
| Application fee | $85 | $50 |
| Enrollment | 13,042 | 23,743 |
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is it harder to get into Notre Dame or Old Dominion?
It's harder to get into Notre Dame. Notre Dame accepts 11.3% of applicants, while Old Dominion accepts 90.4%.
Do Notre Dame or Old Dominion graduates earn more?
Notre Dame graduates earn more: the median 10 years after enrollment is $100K vs $55K.
How much is tuition at Notre Dame vs Old Dominion?
Sticker-price tuition is $67,607 per year at Notre Dame and $33,885 per year at Old Dominion.
What SAT score do you need for Notre Dame or Old Dominion?
The median admitted SAT score is 1510 at Notre Dame and 1197 at Old Dominion; aim for these values or higher to be competitive.
Which university ranks higher - Notre Dame or Old Dominion?
Notre Dame ranks higher in the ARWU world ranking: #301-400 for Notre Dame vs #801-900 for Old Dominion.
Which university offers more financial aid - Notre Dame or Old Dominion?
The average aid package is $67,855 at Notre Dame and $30,437 at Old Dominion.
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