Old Dominion vs Rice - US university comparison
KEY DATA
HEAD-TO-HEAD STATISTICS
The verdict, from the data
These are two different admissions games: Rice admits 8% of applications, Old Dominion admits 90.4%.
The share of international students differs sharply: 13% (Rice) against 1.3% (Old Dominion).
Real money goes to international students at Rice ($76,332 on average), while Old Dominion stops at $16,000.
The tuition gap is $33,612 a year: $33,885 (Old Dominion) against $67,497.
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
Rice is the more selective of the two (8% vs 90.4% acceptance). Rice ranks higher in the ARWU world research ranking (#801-900 vs #101-150). Rice graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($90K vs $55K). Old Dominion has lower sticker-price tuition ($33,885 vs $67,497 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 Rice 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
Rice is more selective (8% vs 90.4% acceptance); Rice has a higher median SAT (1540 vs 1197).
Rice graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($90K vs $55K); Rice has a higher 6-year graduation rate (94.6% vs 46.3%).
Old Dominion has lower sticker-price tuition ($33,885 vs $67,497); Rice offers a larger average aid package ($69,040 vs $30,437).
VALUE LANDSCAPE
FULL DATA TABLE
| Metric | Old Dominion | Rice |
|---|---|---|
| World rank · ARWU | #801-900 | #101-150 |
| Rank · THE | - | - |
| Acceptance rate | 90.4% | 8% |
| Yield rate | 19.9% | 44.2% |
| Median SAT | 1197 | 1540 |
| Avg. GPA | 3.45 | - |
| Number of applications | 15,100 | 32,473 |
| International students | 1.3% | 13% |
| Median earnings · 10 yrs | $55K | $90K |
| Bottom 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $37K | $63K |
| Top 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $80K | $144K |
| Graduation rate | 46.3% | 94.6% |
| Retention rate | 77% | 97.4% |
| Median debt | $24,000 | $11,000 |
| Tuition · year | $33,885 | $67,497 |
| Avg. aid package | $30,437 | $69,040 |
| % of need met | 53% | 100% |
| Avg. graduate debt | $32,043 | $28,418 |
| Application fee | $50 | $75 |
| Enrollment | 23,743 | 8,961 |
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is it harder to get into Old Dominion or Rice?
It's harder to get into Rice. Old Dominion accepts 90.4% of applicants, while Rice accepts 8%.
Do Old Dominion or Rice graduates earn more?
Rice graduates earn more: the median 10 years after enrollment is $90K vs $55K.
How much is tuition at Old Dominion vs Rice?
Sticker-price tuition is $33,885 per year at Old Dominion and $67,497 per year at Rice.
What SAT score do you need for Old Dominion or Rice?
The median admitted SAT score is 1197 at Old Dominion and 1540 at Rice; aim for these values or higher to be competitive.
Which university ranks higher - Old Dominion or Rice?
Rice ranks higher in the ARWU world ranking: #801-900 for Old Dominion vs #101-150 for Rice.
Which university offers more financial aid - Old Dominion or Rice?
The average aid package is $30,437 at Old Dominion and $69,040 at Rice.
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