Old Dominion vs Duke - US university comparison
KEY DATA
HEAD-TO-HEAD STATISTICS
The verdict, from the data
These are two different admissions games: Duke admits 5.7% of applications, Old Dominion admits 90.4%.
The share of international students differs sharply: 10.6% (Duke) against 1.3% (Old Dominion).
For an applicant from outside the US the difference is financial: Duke awards international students $90,599 on average, Old Dominion awards $16,000.
The order of prices reverses once aid is counted: Duke starts at $92,955 against $55,051 and ends at $20,518 against $24,614 (Old Dominion).
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
Duke is the more selective of the two (5.71% vs 90.4% acceptance). Duke ranks higher in the ARWU world research ranking (#801-900 vs #39). Duke graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($98K vs $55K). Old Dominion has lower sticker-price tuition ($33,885 vs $73,172 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 Duke 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
Duke is more selective (5.71% vs 90.4% acceptance); Duke has a higher median SAT (1548 vs 1197).
Duke graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($98K vs $55K); Duke has a higher 6-year graduation rate (96.8% vs 46.3%).
Old Dominion has lower sticker-price tuition ($33,885 vs $73,172); Duke offers a larger average aid package ($72,437 vs $30,437).
VALUE LANDSCAPE
FULL DATA TABLE
| Metric | Old Dominion | Duke |
|---|---|---|
| World rank · ARWU | #801-900 | #39 |
| Rank · THE | - | #27 |
| Acceptance rate | 90.4% | 5.71% |
| Yield rate | 19.9% | 58.8% |
| Median SAT | 1197 | 1548 |
| Avg. GPA | 3.45 | - |
| Number of applications | 15,100 | 51,795 |
| International students | 1.3% | 10.6% |
| Median earnings · 10 yrs | $55K | $98K |
| Bottom 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $37K | $66K |
| Top 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $80K | $172K |
| Graduation rate | 46.3% | 96.8% |
| Retention rate | 77% | 98% |
| Median debt | $24,000 | $13,000 |
| Tuition · year | $33,885 | $73,172 |
| Avg. aid package | $30,437 | $72,437 |
| % of need met | 53% | 100% |
| Avg. graduate debt | $32,043 | $27,515 |
| Application fee | $50 | - |
| Enrollment | 23,743 | 17,499 |
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is it harder to get into Old Dominion or Duke?
It's harder to get into Duke. Old Dominion accepts 90.4% of applicants, while Duke accepts 5.71%.
Do Old Dominion or Duke graduates earn more?
Duke graduates earn more: the median 10 years after enrollment is $98K vs $55K.
How much is tuition at Old Dominion vs Duke?
Sticker-price tuition is $33,885 per year at Old Dominion and $73,172 per year at Duke.
What SAT score do you need for Old Dominion or Duke?
The median admitted SAT score is 1197 at Old Dominion and 1548 at Duke; aim for these values or higher to be competitive.
Which university ranks higher - Old Dominion or Duke?
Duke ranks higher in the ARWU world ranking: #801-900 for Old Dominion vs #39 for Duke.
Which university offers more financial aid - Old Dominion or Duke?
The average aid package is $30,437 at Old Dominion and $72,437 at Duke.
Harvard
Stanford
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Princeton
Yale
Cornell
Penn
Johns Hopkins
Washington University
Northwestern