Yale vs Old Dominion - US university comparison
KEY DATA
HEAD-TO-HEAD STATISTICS
The verdict, from the data
These are two different admissions games: Yale admits 4.7% of applications, Old Dominion admits 90.4%.
The larger international cohort belongs to Yale: 10.6% of students against 1.3% (Old Dominion).
Real money goes to international students at Yale ($84,185 on average), while Old Dominion stops at $16,000.
On paper the cheaper option is Old Dominion: $33,885 against $72,500, which is $38,615 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
Yale is the more selective of the two (4.7% vs 90.4% acceptance). Yale ranks higher in the ARWU world research ranking (#11 vs #801-900). Yale graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($101K vs $55K). Old Dominion has lower sticker-price tuition ($33,885 vs $72,500 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 Yale 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
Yale is more selective (4.7% vs 90.4% acceptance); Yale has a higher median SAT (1540 vs 1197).
Yale graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($101K vs $55K); Yale has a higher 6-year graduation rate (95.7% vs 46.3%).
Old Dominion has lower sticker-price tuition ($33,885 vs $72,500); Yale offers a larger average aid package ($74,353 vs $30,437).
VALUE LANDSCAPE
FULL DATA TABLE
| Metric | Yale | Old Dominion |
|---|---|---|
| World rank · ARWU | #11 | #801-900 |
| Rank · THE | #10 | - |
| Acceptance rate | 4.7% | 90.4% |
| Yield rate | 68.4% | 19.9% |
| Median SAT | 1540 | 1197 |
| Avg. GPA | - | 3.45 |
| Number of applications | 50,264 | 15,100 |
| International students | 10.6% | 1.3% |
| Median earnings · 10 yrs | $101K | $55K |
| Bottom 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $66K | $37K |
| Top 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $194K | $80K |
| Graduation rate | 95.7% | 46.3% |
| Retention rate | 99.4% | 77% |
| Median debt | $12,975 | $24,000 |
| Tuition · year | $72,500 | $33,885 |
| Avg. aid package | $74,353 | $30,437 |
| % of need met | 100% | 53% |
| Avg. graduate debt | $22,185 | $32,043 |
| Application fee | $80 | $50 |
| Enrollment | 15,657 | 23,743 |
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is it harder to get into Yale or Old Dominion?
It's harder to get into Yale. Yale accepts 4.7% of applicants, while Old Dominion accepts 90.4%.
Do Yale or Old Dominion graduates earn more?
Yale graduates earn more: the median 10 years after enrollment is $101K vs $55K.
How much is tuition at Yale vs Old Dominion?
Sticker-price tuition is $72,500 per year at Yale and $33,885 per year at Old Dominion.
What SAT score do you need for Yale or Old Dominion?
The median admitted SAT score is 1540 at Yale and 1197 at Old Dominion; aim for these values or higher to be competitive.
Which university ranks higher - Yale or Old Dominion?
Yale ranks higher in the ARWU world ranking: #11 for Yale vs #801-900 for Old Dominion.
Which university offers more financial aid - Yale or Old Dominion?
The average aid package is $74,353 at Yale and $30,437 at Old Dominion.
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