Old dominion vs Illinois urbana-champaign — US university comparison
KEY DATA
HEAD-TO-HEAD STATISTICS
EXPERT TAKE
Illinois urbana-champaign is the more selective of the two (42.4% vs 90.4% acceptance). Illinois urbana-champaign ranks higher in the ARWU world research ranking (#801-900 vs #55). Illinois urbana-champaign graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($81K vs $55K). Old dominion has lower sticker-price tuition ($33,780 vs $35,124 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, a larger aid package.
Choose Illinois urbana-champaign 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
Illinois urbana-champaign is more selective (42.4% vs 90.4% acceptance); Illinois urbana-champaign has a higher median SAT (1440 vs 1197).
Illinois urbana-champaign graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($81K vs $55K); Illinois urbana-champaign has a higher 6-year graduation rate (85.1% vs 46.3%).
Old dominion has lower sticker-price tuition ($33,780 vs $35,124); Old dominion offers a larger average aid package ($30,437 vs $23,217).
VALUE LANDSCAPE
FULL DATA TABLE
| Metric | Old dominion | Illinois urbana-champaign |
|---|---|---|
| World rank · ARWU | #801-900 | #55 |
| Rank · THE | — | #46 |
| Acceptance rate | 90.4% | 42.4% |
| Yield rate | 19.9% | 28.8% |
| Median SAT | 1197 | 1440 |
| Avg. GPA | 3.50 | — |
| Number of applications | 15,100 | 73,742 |
| International students | 3% | 25% |
| Median earnings · 10 yrs | $55K | $81K |
| Avg. earnings · 10 yrs | $49K | $71K |
| Top 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $80K | $117K |
| Graduation rate | 46.3% | 85.1% |
| Retention rate | 77% | 94.8% |
| Median debt | $24,000 | $19,500 |
| Tuition · year | $33,780 | $35,124 |
| Avg. aid package | $30,437 | $23,217 |
| % of need met | 53% | 0.8% |
| Avg. graduate debt | $32,043 | $22,395 |
| Application fee | $50 | $50 |
| Enrollment | 23,743 | 59,238 |
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is it harder to get into Old dominion or Illinois urbana-champaign?
It's harder to get into Illinois urbana-champaign. Old dominion accepts 90.4% of applicants, while Illinois urbana-champaign accepts 42.4%.
Do Old dominion or Illinois urbana-champaign graduates earn more?
Illinois urbana-champaign graduates earn more: the median 10 years after enrollment is $81K vs $55K.
How much is tuition at Old dominion vs Illinois urbana-champaign?
Sticker-price tuition is $33,780 per year at Old dominion and $35,124 per year at Illinois urbana-champaign.
What SAT score do you need for Old dominion or Illinois urbana-champaign?
The median admitted SAT score is 1197 at Old dominion and 1440 at Illinois urbana-champaign; aim for these values or higher to be competitive.
Which university ranks higher — Old dominion or Illinois urbana-champaign?
Illinois urbana-champaign ranks higher in the ARWU world ranking: #801-900 for Old dominion vs #55 for Illinois urbana-champaign.
Which university offers more financial aid — Old dominion or Illinois urbana-champaign?
The average aid package is $30,437 at Old dominion and $23,217 at Illinois urbana-champaign.
Harvard
Stanford
Massachusetts institute of technology
Princeton
Yale
Cornell
Penn
Johns hopkins
Washington university
Northwestern