

Old Dominion vs Brandeis - US university comparison
KEY DATA
HEAD-TO-HEAD STATISTICS
The verdict, from the data
Brandeis admits 40.5% of applicants, while Old Dominion admits 90.4%.
The larger international cohort belongs to Brandeis: 19.3% of students against 1.3% (Old Dominion).
Real money goes to international students at Brandeis ($56,730 on average), while Old Dominion stops at $16,000.
On paper the cheaper option is Old Dominion: $33,885 against $70,957, which is $37,072 less a year.
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
Brandeis is the more selective of the two (40.47% vs 90.4% acceptance). Brandeis ranks higher in the ARWU world research ranking (#801-900 vs #301-400). Brandeis graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($77K vs $55K). Old Dominion has lower sticker-price tuition ($33,885 vs $70,957 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 Old Dominion for: lower tuition.
Choose Brandeis for: a higher world ranking, higher selectivity, higher graduate earnings.
College Council Atlas analysis · IPEDS / College Scorecard CDS 2024-25, ARWU 2024.
BY THE NUMBERS
Brandeis is more selective (40.47% vs 90.4% acceptance); Brandeis has a higher median SAT (1460 vs 1197).
Brandeis graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($77K vs $55K); Brandeis has a higher 6-year graduation rate (86% vs 46.3%).
Old Dominion has lower sticker-price tuition ($33,885 vs $70,957); Brandeis offers a larger average aid package ($57,507 vs $30,437).
VALUE LANDSCAPE
FULL DATA TABLE
| Metric | Old Dominion | Brandeis |
|---|---|---|
| World rank · ARWU | #801-900 | #301-400 |
| Rank · THE | - | - |
| Acceptance rate | 90.4% | 40.47% |
| Yield rate | 19.9% | 17.5% |
| Median SAT | 1197 | 1460 |
| Avg. GPA | 3.45 | 3.90 |
| Number of applications | 15,100 | 10,462 |
| International students | 1.3% | 19.3% |
| Median earnings · 10 yrs | $55K | $77K |
| Bottom 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $37K | $52K |
| Top 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $80K | $117K |
| Graduation rate | 46.3% | 86% |
| Retention rate | 77% | 87% |
| Median debt | $24,000 | $25,648 |
| Tuition · year | $33,885 | $70,957 |
| Avg. aid package | $30,437 | $57,507 |
| % of need met | 53% | 94.5% |
| Avg. graduate debt | $32,043 | $27,004 |
| Application fee | $50 | $80 |
| Enrollment | 23,743 | 5,205 |
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is it harder to get into Old Dominion or Brandeis?
It's harder to get into Brandeis. Old Dominion accepts 90.4% of applicants, while Brandeis accepts 40.47%.
Do Old Dominion or Brandeis graduates earn more?
Brandeis graduates earn more: the median 10 years after enrollment is $77K vs $55K.
How much is tuition at Old Dominion vs Brandeis?
Sticker-price tuition is $33,885 per year at Old Dominion and $70,957 per year at Brandeis.
What SAT score do you need for Old Dominion or Brandeis?
The median admitted SAT score is 1197 at Old Dominion and 1460 at Brandeis; aim for these values or higher to be competitive.
Which university ranks higher - Old Dominion or Brandeis?
Brandeis ranks higher in the ARWU world ranking: #801-900 for Old Dominion vs #301-400 for Brandeis.
Which university offers more financial aid - Old Dominion or Brandeis?
The average aid package is $30,437 at Old Dominion and $57,507 at Brandeis.
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