Rochester vs Old Dominion - US university comparison
KEY DATA
HEAD-TO-HEAD STATISTICS
The verdict, from the data
Rochester admits 40.1% of applicants, while Old Dominion admits 90.4%.
The share of international students differs sharply: 22.1% (Rochester) against 1.3% (Old Dominion).
Average aid for an international student is $41,269 (Rochester) and $16,000 (Old Dominion).
On paper the cheaper option is Old Dominion: $33,885 against $70,284, which is $36,399 less a year.
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
Rochester is the more selective of the two (40.08% vs 90.4% acceptance). Rochester ranks higher in the ARWU world research ranking (#151-200 vs #801-900). Rochester graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($79K vs $55K). Old Dominion has lower sticker-price tuition ($33,885 vs $70,284 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 Rochester 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
Rochester is more selective (40.08% vs 90.4% acceptance); Rochester has a higher median SAT (1470 vs 1197).
Rochester graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($79K vs $55K); Rochester has a higher 6-year graduation rate (85.4% vs 46.3%).
Old Dominion has lower sticker-price tuition ($33,885 vs $70,284); Rochester offers a larger average aid package ($60,879 vs $30,437).
VALUE LANDSCAPE
FULL DATA TABLE
| Metric | Rochester | Old Dominion |
|---|---|---|
| World rank · ARWU | #151-200 | #801-900 |
| Rank · THE | #127 | - |
| Acceptance rate | 40.08% | 90.4% |
| Yield rate | 15.4% | 19.9% |
| Median SAT | 1470 | 1197 |
| Avg. GPA | 3.72 | 3.45 |
| Number of applications | 21,384 | 15,100 |
| International students | 22.1% | 1.3% |
| Median earnings · 10 yrs | $79K | $55K |
| Bottom 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $50K | $37K |
| Top 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $117K | $80K |
| Graduation rate | 85.4% | 46.3% |
| Retention rate | 90.7% | 77% |
| Median debt | $21,000 | $24,000 |
| Tuition · year | $70,284 | $33,885 |
| Avg. aid package | $60,879 | $30,437 |
| % of need met | 96.1% | 53% |
| Avg. graduate debt | $32,304 | $32,043 |
| Application fee | $50 | $50 |
| Enrollment | 11,946 | 23,743 |
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is it harder to get into Rochester or Old Dominion?
It's harder to get into Rochester. Rochester accepts 40.08% of applicants, while Old Dominion accepts 90.4%.
Do Rochester or Old Dominion graduates earn more?
Rochester graduates earn more: the median 10 years after enrollment is $79K vs $55K.
How much is tuition at Rochester vs Old Dominion?
Sticker-price tuition is $70,284 per year at Rochester and $33,885 per year at Old Dominion.
What SAT score do you need for Rochester or Old Dominion?
The median admitted SAT score is 1470 at Rochester and 1197 at Old Dominion; aim for these values or higher to be competitive.
Which university ranks higher - Rochester or Old Dominion?
Rochester ranks higher in the ARWU world ranking: #151-200 for Rochester vs #801-900 for Old Dominion.
Which university offers more financial aid - Rochester or Old Dominion?
The average aid package is $60,879 at Rochester and $30,437 at Old Dominion.
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