Old Dominion vs West Virginia - US university comparison
KEY DATA
HEAD-TO-HEAD STATISTICS
The verdict, from the data
The order of prices reverses once aid is counted: Old Dominion starts at $55,051 against $47,480 and ends at $24,614 against $30,750 (West Virginia).
Candidates with higher SAT scores go to Old Dominion: a midpoint of 1197 against 1110, a difference of 87 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 aid gap is the size of a package in itself: $30,437 (Old Dominion) against $16,730.
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
West Virginia is the more selective of the two (89% vs 90.4% acceptance). West Virginia ranks higher in the ARWU world research ranking (#801-900 vs #501-600). Median earnings 10 years after enrollment are effectively tied ($55K vs $56K). West Virginia has lower sticker-price tuition ($28,608 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, lower graduate debt.
Choose West 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
West Virginia is more selective (89% vs 90.4% acceptance); Old Dominion has a higher median SAT (1197 vs 1110).
West Virginia graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($56K vs $55K); West Virginia has a higher 6-year graduation rate (64.7% vs 46.3%).
West Virginia has lower sticker-price tuition ($28,608 vs $33,885); Old Dominion offers a larger average aid package ($30,437 vs $16,730).
VALUE LANDSCAPE
FULL DATA TABLE
| Metric | Old Dominion | West Virginia |
|---|---|---|
| World rank · ARWU | #801-900 | #501-600 |
| Rank · THE | - | - |
| Acceptance rate | 90.4% | 89% |
| Yield rate | 19.9% | 26.5% |
| Median SAT | 1197 | 1110 |
| Avg. GPA | 3.45 | 3.70 |
| Number of applications | 15,100 | 20,150 |
| International students | 1.3% | 1.7% |
| Median earnings · 10 yrs | $55K | $56K |
| Bottom 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $37K | $36K |
| Top 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $80K | $84K |
| Graduation rate | 46.3% | 64.7% |
| Retention rate | 77% | 83.4% |
| Median debt | $24,000 | $22,500 |
| Tuition · year | $33,885 | $28,608 |
| Avg. aid package | $30,437 | $16,730 |
| % of need met | 53% | 63% |
| Avg. graduate debt | $32,043 | $36,010 |
| Application fee | $50 | $65 |
| Enrollment | 23,743 | 23,643 |
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is it harder to get into Old Dominion or West Virginia?
It's harder to get into West Virginia. Old Dominion accepts 90.4% of applicants, while West Virginia accepts 89%.
Do Old Dominion or West Virginia graduates earn more?
Earnings are practically equal - 10 years after enrollment, the median is $55K at Old Dominion and $56K at West Virginia.
How much is tuition at Old Dominion vs West Virginia?
Sticker-price tuition is $33,885 per year at Old Dominion and $28,608 per year at West Virginia.
What SAT score do you need for Old Dominion or West Virginia?
The median admitted SAT score is 1197 at Old Dominion and 1110 at West Virginia; aim for these values or higher to be competitive.
Which university ranks higher - Old Dominion or West Virginia?
West Virginia ranks higher in the ARWU world ranking: #801-900 for Old Dominion vs #501-600 for West Virginia.
Which university offers more financial aid - Old Dominion or West Virginia?
The average aid package is $30,437 at Old Dominion and $16,730 at West Virginia.
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