Old Dominion vs Harvard - 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 Harvard turns away the overwhelming majority (3.6%).
The share of international students differs sharply: 15.7% (Harvard) against 1.3% (Old Dominion).
Real money goes to international students at Harvard ($81,046 on average), while Old Dominion stops at $16,000.
The one that looks dearer ends up cheaper: Harvard lists $87,926 against $55,051 (Old Dominion), but after average aid what remains is $13,539 against $24,614.
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
Harvard is the more selective of the two (3.65% vs 90.4% acceptance). Harvard ranks higher in the ARWU world research ranking (#801-900 vs #1). Harvard graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($102K vs $55K). Old Dominion has lower sticker-price tuition ($33,885 vs $64,796 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 Harvard 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
Harvard is more selective (3.65% vs 90.4% acceptance); Harvard has a higher median SAT (1553 vs 1197).
Harvard graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($102K vs $55K); Harvard has a higher 6-year graduation rate (97.6% vs 46.3%).
Old Dominion has lower sticker-price tuition ($33,885 vs $64,796); Harvard offers a larger average aid package ($74,387 vs $30,437).
VALUE LANDSCAPE
FULL DATA TABLE
| Metric | Old Dominion | Harvard |
|---|---|---|
| World rank · ARWU | #801-900 | #1 |
| Rank · THE | - | #3 |
| Acceptance rate | 90.4% | 3.65% |
| Yield rate | 19.9% | 83.6% |
| Median SAT | 1197 | 1553 |
| Avg. GPA | 3.45 | 4.21 |
| Number of applications | 15,100 | 54,008 |
| International students | 1.3% | 15.7% |
| Median earnings · 10 yrs | $55K | $102K |
| Bottom 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $37K | $65K |
| Top 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $80K | $200K |
| Graduation rate | 46.3% | 97.6% |
| Retention rate | 77% | 98% |
| Median debt | $24,000 | $14,000 |
| Tuition · year | $33,885 | $64,796 |
| Avg. aid package | $30,437 | $74,387 |
| % of need met | 53% | 100% |
| Avg. graduate debt | $32,043 | $22,262 |
| Application fee | $50 | $85 |
| Enrollment | 23,743 | 21,189 |
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is it harder to get into Old Dominion or Harvard?
It's harder to get into Harvard. Old Dominion accepts 90.4% of applicants, while Harvard accepts 3.65%.
Do Old Dominion or Harvard graduates earn more?
Harvard graduates earn more: the median 10 years after enrollment is $102K vs $55K.
How much is tuition at Old Dominion vs Harvard?
Sticker-price tuition is $33,885 per year at Old Dominion and $64,796 per year at Harvard.
What SAT score do you need for Old Dominion or Harvard?
The median admitted SAT score is 1197 at Old Dominion and 1553 at Harvard; aim for these values or higher to be competitive.
Which university ranks higher - Old Dominion or Harvard?
Harvard ranks higher in the ARWU world ranking: #801-900 for Old Dominion vs #1 for Harvard.
Which university offers more financial aid - Old Dominion or Harvard?
The average aid package is $30,437 at Old Dominion and $74,387 at Harvard.
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