Old Dominion vs Virginia - US university comparison
KEY DATA
HEAD-TO-HEAD STATISTICS
The verdict, from the data
These are two different admissions games: Virginia admits 16.8% of applications, Old Dominion admits 90.4%.
If you are applying from outside the US, budget without institutional support where there is none: only Old Dominion reports aid for international students ($16,000 on average), Virginia does not.
The cheaper tuition belongs to Old Dominion: $33,885 against $62,923, or $29,038 less a year.
Ten years on, graduates of Virginia earn noticeably more: $87K against $55K.
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
Virginia is the more selective of the two (16.81% vs 90.4% acceptance). Virginia ranks higher in the ARWU world research ranking (#801-900 vs #201-300). Virginia graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($87K vs $55K). Old Dominion has lower sticker-price tuition ($33,885 vs $62,923 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 Virginia 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
Virginia is more selective (16.81% vs 90.4% acceptance); Virginia has a higher median SAT (1470 vs 1197).
Virginia graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($87K vs $55K); Virginia has a higher 6-year graduation rate (95.6% vs 46.3%).
Old Dominion has lower sticker-price tuition ($33,885 vs $62,923); Virginia offers a larger average aid package ($37,123 vs $30,437).
VALUE LANDSCAPE
FULL DATA TABLE
| Metric | Old Dominion | Virginia |
|---|---|---|
| World rank · ARWU | #801-900 | #201-300 |
| Rank · THE | - | - |
| Acceptance rate | 90.4% | 16.81% |
| Yield rate | 19.9% | 40% |
| Median SAT | 1197 | 1470 |
| Avg. GPA | 3.45 | - |
| Number of applications | 15,100 | 58,951 |
| International students | 1.3% | 4.9% |
| Median earnings · 10 yrs | $55K | $87K |
| Bottom 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $37K | $59K |
| Top 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $80K | $130K |
| Graduation rate | 46.3% | 95.6% |
| Retention rate | 77% | 97.9% |
| Median debt | $24,000 | $17,500 |
| Tuition · year | $33,885 | $62,923 |
| Avg. aid package | $30,437 | $37,123 |
| % of need met | 53% | 100% |
| Avg. graduate debt | $32,043 | $25,137 |
| Application fee | $50 | $75 |
| Enrollment | 23,743 | 26,470 |
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is it harder to get into Old Dominion or Virginia?
It's harder to get into Virginia. Old Dominion accepts 90.4% of applicants, while Virginia accepts 16.81%.
Do Old Dominion or Virginia graduates earn more?
Virginia graduates earn more: the median 10 years after enrollment is $87K vs $55K.
How much is tuition at Old Dominion vs Virginia?
Sticker-price tuition is $33,885 per year at Old Dominion and $62,923 per year at Virginia.
What SAT score do you need for Old Dominion or Virginia?
The median admitted SAT score is 1197 at Old Dominion and 1470 at Virginia; aim for these values or higher to be competitive.
Which university ranks higher - Old Dominion or Virginia?
Virginia ranks higher in the ARWU world ranking: #801-900 for Old Dominion vs #201-300 for Virginia.
Which university offers more financial aid - Old Dominion or Virginia?
The average aid package is $30,437 at Old Dominion and $37,123 at Virginia.
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