Old Dominion vs Iowa State - US university comparison
KEY DATA
HEAD-TO-HEAD STATISTICS
The verdict, from the data
On both axes at once the winner is Iowa State: lower tuition ($28,881 against $33,885) and a higher median salary ($63K against $55K, Old Dominion).
Candidates with higher SAT scores go to Iowa State: a midpoint of 1250 against 1197, a difference of 53 points.
Neither is international in practice: the share of foreign students does not exceed 3.7%.
The lower full cost of study, not tuition alone, belongs to Iowa State: $42,789 against $55,051.
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
Iowa State is the more selective of the two (88.66% vs 90.4% acceptance). Iowa State ranks higher in the ARWU world research ranking (#801-900 vs #501-600). Iowa State graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($63K vs $55K). Iowa State has lower sticker-price tuition ($28,881 vs $33,885 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: a larger aid package.
Choose Iowa State 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
Iowa State is more selective (88.66% vs 90.4% acceptance); Iowa State has a higher median SAT (1250 vs 1197).
Iowa State graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($63K vs $55K); Iowa State has a higher 6-year graduation rate (75.3% vs 46.3%).
Iowa State has lower sticker-price tuition ($28,881 vs $33,885); Old Dominion offers a larger average aid package ($30,437 vs $15,665).
VALUE LANDSCAPE
FULL DATA TABLE
| Metric | Old Dominion | Iowa State |
|---|---|---|
| World rank · ARWU | #801-900 | #501-600 |
| Rank · THE | - | - |
| Acceptance rate | 90.4% | 88.66% |
| Yield rate | 19.9% | 28.8% |
| Median SAT | 1197 | 1250 |
| Avg. GPA | 3.45 | 3.75 |
| Number of applications | 15,100 | 23,095 |
| International students | 1.3% | 3.7% |
| Median earnings · 10 yrs | $55K | $63K |
| Bottom 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $37K | $44K |
| Top 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $80K | $90K |
| Graduation rate | 46.3% | 75.3% |
| Retention rate | 77% | 87.6% |
| Median debt | $24,000 | $22,869 |
| Tuition · year | $33,885 | $28,881 |
| Avg. aid package | $30,437 | $15,665 |
| % of need met | 53% | 78% |
| Avg. graduate debt | $32,043 | $29,475 |
| Application fee | $50 | $40 |
| Enrollment | 23,743 | 30,432 |
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is it harder to get into Old Dominion or Iowa State?
It's harder to get into Iowa State. Old Dominion accepts 90.4% of applicants, while Iowa State accepts 88.66%.
Do Old Dominion or Iowa State graduates earn more?
Iowa State graduates earn more: the median 10 years after enrollment is $63K vs $55K.
How much is tuition at Old Dominion vs Iowa State?
Sticker-price tuition is $33,885 per year at Old Dominion and $28,881 per year at Iowa State.
What SAT score do you need for Old Dominion or Iowa State?
The median admitted SAT score is 1197 at Old Dominion and 1250 at Iowa State; aim for these values or higher to be competitive.
Which university ranks higher - Old Dominion or Iowa State?
Iowa State ranks higher in the ARWU world ranking: #801-900 for Old Dominion vs #501-600 for Iowa State.
Which university offers more financial aid - Old Dominion or Iowa State?
The average aid package is $30,437 at Old Dominion and $15,665 at Iowa State.
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