Howard vs. Old Dominion

Comparable Facts

Compare Howard University in Washington, DC with Old Dominion University in Norfolk, VA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Old Dominion University is larger than Howard based on total student enrollment (23,743 students vs. 14,890 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Howard University is located in Washington, DC (Large City setting); Old Dominion University is in Norfolk, VA (Midsize City setting).
• Howard University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Old Dominion University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Howard University 13:1; Old Dominion University 13:1.

Howard vs. Old Dominion Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Howard or Old Dominion? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Old Dominion University than Howard ($16,419 vs. $33,368).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Old Dominion University are 14.1% lower than at Howard University ($14,878 vs. $17,322).
• Howard University is 180.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Old Dominion (about $23,060 more per year; $35,810.00 vs. $12,750.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 6% higher at Howard than at Old Dominion University (about $2,030 more per year; $35,810.00 vs. $33,780.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Howard University than at Old Dominion University (99% vs. 94%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Howard University students is 81.1% larger than aid received by Old Dominion University students ($21,262 vs. $11,740).

Howard vs. Old Dominion Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Howard or Old Dominion? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Old Dominion and Howard.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Howard University (1210) is 20 points higher than at Old Dominion (1190).
• Incoming Old Dominion students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (26 vs. 25 at Howard).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Howard University 1090/1320; Old Dominion University 1100/1280.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Howard University 22/28; Old Dominion University 24/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Howard - Test optional; Old Dominion - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Howard Feb 15, 2027; Old Dominion Feb 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Howard students have a 0.36 point higher average high school GPA (3.66) than students at Old Dominion (3.3).
• Old Dominion has a higher acceptance rate (90.4%) than Howard (41.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 19.4% at Howard vs. 19.9% at Old Dominion.

Howard vs. Old Dominion Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Howard and Old Dominion? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Howard University's six-year graduation rate (63%) is higher than Old Dominion University's (50%).
• Graduates from Howard University earn a median of about $4,200 more per year than Old Dominion graduates about ten years after starting college ($51,800 vs. $47,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Old Dominion University graduates have a $3,500 lower median loan debt than Howard graduates ($23,500 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Old Dominion graduates have an estimated $37 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Howard graduates ($242 vs. $279).
• More Old Dominion graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Howard students, three years after graduation. (53% vs. 33%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.