Old Dominion vs Dartmouth - 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 Dartmouth turns away the overwhelming majority (6%).
The more international environment is at Dartmouth (14.5% international students) than Old Dominion (1.3%).
Average aid for an international student is $87,562 (Dartmouth) and $16,000 (Old Dominion).
The one that looks dearer ends up cheaper: Dartmouth lists $96,098 against $55,051 (Old Dominion), but after average aid what remains is $20,797 against $24,614.
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
Dartmouth is the more selective of the two (6.02% vs 90.4% acceptance). Dartmouth ranks higher in the ARWU world research ranking (#801-900 vs #301-400). Dartmouth graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($97K vs $55K). Old Dominion has lower sticker-price tuition ($33,885 vs $71,525 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 Dartmouth 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
Dartmouth is more selective (6.02% vs 90.4% acceptance); Dartmouth has a higher median SAT (1520 vs 1197).
Dartmouth graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($97K vs $55K); Dartmouth has a higher 6-year graduation rate (95.5% vs 46.3%).
Old Dominion has lower sticker-price tuition ($33,885 vs $71,525); Dartmouth offers a larger average aid package ($75,301 vs $30,437).
VALUE LANDSCAPE
FULL DATA TABLE
| Metric | Old Dominion | Dartmouth |
|---|---|---|
| World rank · ARWU | #801-900 | #301-400 |
| Rank · THE | - | - |
| Acceptance rate | 90.4% | 6.02% |
| Yield rate | 19.9% | 70.9% |
| Median SAT | 1197 | 1520 |
| Avg. GPA | 3.45 | - |
| Number of applications | 15,100 | 28,230 |
| International students | 1.3% | 14.5% |
| Median earnings · 10 yrs | $55K | $97K |
| Bottom 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $37K | $65K |
| Top 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $80K | $189K |
| Graduation rate | 46.3% | 95.5% |
| Retention rate | 77% | 98% |
| Median debt | $24,000 | $17,500 |
| Tuition · year | $33,885 | $71,525 |
| Avg. aid package | $30,437 | $75,301 |
| % of need met | 53% | 100% |
| Avg. graduate debt | $32,043 | $24,255 |
| Application fee | $50 | - |
| Enrollment | 23,743 | 7,273 |
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is it harder to get into Old Dominion or Dartmouth?
It's harder to get into Dartmouth. Old Dominion accepts 90.4% of applicants, while Dartmouth accepts 6.02%.
Do Old Dominion or Dartmouth graduates earn more?
Dartmouth graduates earn more: the median 10 years after enrollment is $97K vs $55K.
How much is tuition at Old Dominion vs Dartmouth?
Sticker-price tuition is $33,885 per year at Old Dominion and $71,525 per year at Dartmouth.
What SAT score do you need for Old Dominion or Dartmouth?
The median admitted SAT score is 1197 at Old Dominion and 1520 at Dartmouth; aim for these values or higher to be competitive.
Which university ranks higher - Old Dominion or Dartmouth?
Dartmouth ranks higher in the ARWU world ranking: #801-900 for Old Dominion vs #301-400 for Dartmouth.
Which university offers more financial aid - Old Dominion or Dartmouth?
The average aid package is $30,437 at Old Dominion and $75,301 at Dartmouth.
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