Princeton vs Old Dominion - US university comparison
KEY DATA
HEAD-TO-HEAD STATISTICS
The verdict, from the data
Old Dominion accepts most of the applications it receives (90.4%), while Princeton turns away the overwhelming majority (4.4%).
The more international environment is at Princeton (13.1% international students) than Old Dominion (1.3%).
For an applicant from outside the US the difference is financial: Princeton awards international students $86,736 on average, Old Dominion awards $16,000.
The one that looks dearer ends up cheaper: Princeton lists $95,624 against $55,051 (Old Dominion), but after average aid what remains is $16,304 against $24,614.
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
Princeton is the more selective of the two (4.42% vs 90.4% acceptance). Princeton ranks higher in the ARWU world research ranking (#7 vs #801-900). Princeton graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($110K vs $55K). Old Dominion has lower sticker-price tuition ($33,885 vs $68,454 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 Princeton for: a higher world ranking, higher selectivity, higher graduate earnings.
Choose Old Dominion for: lower tuition.
College Council Atlas analysis · IPEDS / College Scorecard CDS 2024-25, ARWU 2024.
BY THE NUMBERS
Princeton is more selective (4.42% vs 90.4% acceptance); Princeton has a higher median SAT (1530 vs 1197).
Princeton graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($110K vs $55K); Princeton has a higher 6-year graduation rate (97.6% vs 46.3%).
Old Dominion has lower sticker-price tuition ($33,885 vs $68,454); Princeton offers a larger average aid package ($79,320 vs $30,437).
VALUE LANDSCAPE
FULL DATA TABLE
| Metric | Princeton | Old Dominion |
|---|---|---|
| World rank · ARWU | #7 | #801-900 |
| Rank · THE | #4 | - |
| Acceptance rate | 4.42% | 90.4% |
| Yield rate | 75.4% | 19.9% |
| Median SAT | 1530 | 1197 |
| Avg. GPA | 3.96 | 3.45 |
| Number of applications | 42,303 | 15,100 |
| International students | 13.1% | 1.3% |
| Median earnings · 10 yrs | $110K | $55K |
| Bottom 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $68K | $37K |
| Top 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $197K | $80K |
| Graduation rate | 97.6% | 46.3% |
| Retention rate | 99% | 77% |
| Median debt | $10,320 | $24,000 |
| Tuition · year | $68,454 | $33,885 |
| Avg. aid package | $79,320 | $30,437 |
| % of need met | 100% | 53% |
| Avg. graduate debt | $21,251 | $32,043 |
| Application fee | $75 | $50 |
| Enrollment | 9,281 | 23,743 |
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is it harder to get into Princeton or Old Dominion?
It's harder to get into Princeton. Princeton accepts 4.42% of applicants, while Old Dominion accepts 90.4%.
Do Princeton or Old Dominion graduates earn more?
Princeton graduates earn more: the median 10 years after enrollment is $110K vs $55K.
How much is tuition at Princeton vs Old Dominion?
Sticker-price tuition is $68,454 per year at Princeton and $33,885 per year at Old Dominion.
What SAT score do you need for Princeton or Old Dominion?
The median admitted SAT score is 1530 at Princeton and 1197 at Old Dominion; aim for these values or higher to be competitive.
Which university ranks higher - Princeton or Old Dominion?
Princeton ranks higher in the ARWU world ranking: #7 for Princeton vs #801-900 for Old Dominion.
Which university offers more financial aid - Princeton or Old Dominion?
The average aid package is $79,320 at Princeton and $30,437 at Old Dominion.
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