Old Dominion vs Kansas State - US university comparison
KEY DATA
HEAD-TO-HEAD STATISTICS
The verdict, from the data
Real money goes to international students at Old Dominion ($16,000 on average), while Kansas State stops at $5,729.
The order of prices reverses once aid is counted: Old Dominion starts at $55,051 against $43,928 and ends at $24,614 against $27,960 (Kansas State).
Candidates with higher SAT scores go to Old Dominion: a midpoint of 1197 against 1150, a difference of 47 points.
Both universities have a small international community (at most 1.7% of students), which is worth weighing if that environment matters to you.
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
Kansas State is the more selective of the two (82% vs 90.4% acceptance). Kansas State ranks higher in the ARWU world research ranking (#801-900 vs #501-600). Kansas State graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($57K vs $55K). Kansas State has lower sticker-price tuition ($28,568 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 Kansas 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
Kansas State is more selective (82% vs 90.4% acceptance); Old Dominion has a higher median SAT (1197 vs 1150).
Kansas State graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($57K vs $55K); Kansas State has a higher 6-year graduation rate (71.1% vs 46.3%).
Kansas State has lower sticker-price tuition ($28,568 vs $33,885); Old Dominion offers a larger average aid package ($30,437 vs $15,968).
VALUE LANDSCAPE
FULL DATA TABLE
| Metric | Old Dominion | Kansas State |
|---|---|---|
| World rank · ARWU | #801-900 | #501-600 |
| Rank · THE | - | - |
| Acceptance rate | 90.4% | 82% |
| Yield rate | 19.9% | 27.5% |
| Median SAT | 1197 | 1150 |
| Avg. GPA | 3.45 | 3.81 |
| Number of applications | 15,100 | 15,432 |
| International students | 1.3% | 1.7% |
| Median earnings · 10 yrs | $55K | $57K |
| Bottom 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $37K | $39K |
| Top 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $80K | $83K |
| Graduation rate | 46.3% | 71.1% |
| Retention rate | 77% | 85.6% |
| Median debt | $24,000 | $21,250 |
| Tuition · year | $33,885 | $28,568 |
| Avg. aid package | $30,437 | $15,968 |
| % of need met | 53% | 77% |
| Avg. graduate debt | $32,043 | $25,179 |
| Application fee | $50 | $40 |
| Enrollment | 23,743 | 20,295 |
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is it harder to get into Old Dominion or Kansas State?
It's harder to get into Kansas State. Old Dominion accepts 90.4% of applicants, while Kansas State accepts 82%.
Do Old Dominion or Kansas State graduates earn more?
Kansas State graduates earn more: the median 10 years after enrollment is $57K vs $55K.
How much is tuition at Old Dominion vs Kansas State?
Sticker-price tuition is $33,885 per year at Old Dominion and $28,568 per year at Kansas State.
What SAT score do you need for Old Dominion or Kansas State?
The median admitted SAT score is 1197 at Old Dominion and 1150 at Kansas State; aim for these values or higher to be competitive.
Which university ranks higher - Old Dominion or Kansas State?
Kansas State ranks higher in the ARWU world ranking: #801-900 for Old Dominion vs #501-600 for Kansas State.
Which university offers more financial aid - Old Dominion or Kansas State?
The average aid package is $30,437 at Old Dominion and $15,968 at Kansas State.
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