Old Dominion vs Penn - US university comparison
KEY DATA
HEAD-TO-HEAD STATISTICS
The verdict, from the data
These are two different admissions games: Penn admits 5.4% of applications, Old Dominion admits 90.4%.
The more international environment is at Penn (13.3% international students) than Old Dominion (1.3%).
Average aid for an international student is $75,356 (Penn) and $16,000 (Old Dominion).
The order of prices reverses once aid is counted: Penn starts at $92,524 against $55,051 and ends at $21,553 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
Penn is the more selective of the two (5.4% vs 90.4% acceptance). Penn ranks higher in the ARWU world research ranking (#801-900 vs #14). Penn graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($111K vs $55K). Old Dominion has lower sticker-price tuition ($33,885 vs $71,236 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, lower graduate debt.
Choose Penn 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
Penn is more selective (5.4% vs 90.4% acceptance); Penn has a higher median SAT (1553 vs 1197).
Penn graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($111K vs $55K); Penn has a higher 6-year graduation rate (96.5% vs 46.3%).
Old Dominion has lower sticker-price tuition ($33,885 vs $71,236); Penn offers a larger average aid package ($70,971 vs $30,437).
VALUE LANDSCAPE
FULL DATA TABLE
| Metric | Old Dominion | Penn |
|---|---|---|
| World rank · ARWU | #801-900 | #14 |
| Rank · THE | - | - |
| Acceptance rate | 90.4% | 5.4% |
| Yield rate | 19.9% | 68% |
| Median SAT | 1197 | 1553 |
| Avg. GPA | 3.45 | 3.90 |
| Number of applications | 15,100 | 65,236 |
| International students | 1.3% | 13.3% |
| Median earnings · 10 yrs | $55K | $111K |
| Bottom 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $37K | $70K |
| Top 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $80K | $183K |
| Graduation rate | 46.3% | 96.5% |
| Retention rate | 77% | 98.8% |
| Median debt | $24,000 | $15,715 |
| Tuition · year | $33,885 | $71,236 |
| Avg. aid package | $30,437 | $70,971 |
| % of need met | 53% | 100% |
| Avg. graduate debt | $32,043 | $32,558 |
| Application fee | $50 | $75 |
| Enrollment | 23,743 | 24,023 |
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is it harder to get into Old Dominion or Penn?
It's harder to get into Penn. Old Dominion accepts 90.4% of applicants, while Penn accepts 5.4%.
Do Old Dominion or Penn graduates earn more?
Penn graduates earn more: the median 10 years after enrollment is $111K vs $55K.
How much is tuition at Old Dominion vs Penn?
Sticker-price tuition is $33,885 per year at Old Dominion and $71,236 per year at Penn.
What SAT score do you need for Old Dominion or Penn?
The median admitted SAT score is 1197 at Old Dominion and 1553 at Penn; aim for these values or higher to be competitive.
Which university ranks higher - Old Dominion or Penn?
Penn ranks higher in the ARWU world ranking: #801-900 for Old Dominion vs #14 for Penn.
Which university offers more financial aid - Old Dominion or Penn?
The average aid package is $30,437 at Old Dominion and $70,971 at Penn.
Harvard
Stanford
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Princeton
Yale
Cornell
Johns Hopkins
Washington University
Northwestern
North Carolina