Penn vs Old Dominion - 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 (#14 vs #801-900). 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 Penn for: a higher world ranking, higher selectivity, higher graduate earnings.
Choose Old Dominion for: lower tuition, lower graduate debt.
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 | Penn | Old Dominion |
|---|---|---|
| World rank · ARWU | #14 | #801-900 |
| Rank · THE | - | - |
| Acceptance rate | 5.4% | 90.4% |
| Yield rate | 68% | 19.9% |
| Median SAT | 1553 | 1197 |
| Avg. GPA | 3.90 | 3.45 |
| Number of applications | 65,236 | 15,100 |
| International students | 13.3% | 1.3% |
| Median earnings · 10 yrs | $111K | $55K |
| Bottom 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $70K | $37K |
| Top 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $183K | $80K |
| Graduation rate | 96.5% | 46.3% |
| Retention rate | 98.8% | 77% |
| Median debt | $15,715 | $24,000 |
| Tuition · year | $71,236 | $33,885 |
| Avg. aid package | $70,971 | $30,437 |
| % of need met | 100% | 53% |
| Avg. graduate debt | $32,558 | $32,043 |
| Application fee | $75 | $50 |
| Enrollment | 24,023 | 23,743 |
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is it harder to get into Penn or Old Dominion?
It's harder to get into Penn. Penn accepts 5.4% of applicants, while Old Dominion accepts 90.4%.
Do Penn or Old Dominion graduates earn more?
Penn graduates earn more: the median 10 years after enrollment is $111K vs $55K.
How much is tuition at Penn vs Old Dominion?
Sticker-price tuition is $71,236 per year at Penn and $33,885 per year at Old Dominion.
What SAT score do you need for Penn or Old Dominion?
The median admitted SAT score is 1553 at Penn and 1197 at Old Dominion; aim for these values or higher to be competitive.
Which university ranks higher - Penn or Old Dominion?
Penn ranks higher in the ARWU world ranking: #14 for Penn vs #801-900 for Old Dominion.
Which university offers more financial aid - Penn or Old Dominion?
The average aid package is $70,971 at Penn and $30,437 at Old Dominion.
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