Old Dominion vs. RU

Comparable Facts

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

Old Dominion University is larger than RU based on total student enrollment (23,743 students vs. 7,812 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Old Dominion University is located in Norfolk, VA (Midsize City setting); Radford University is in Radford, VA (Distant Town setting).
• Old Dominion University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Radford University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Old Dominion University 13:1; Radford University 14:1.

Old Dominion vs. RU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Old Dominion or RU? 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 RU ($16,419 vs. $16,749).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Radford University are 16% lower than at Old Dominion University ($12,504 vs. $14,878).
• Old Dominion University is 1.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than RU (about $202 more per year; $12,750.00 vs. $12,548.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 31.8% higher at Old Dominion than at Radford University (about $8,147 more per year; $33,780.00 vs. $25,633.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Old Dominion University as at Radford University (94% vs. 94%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Radford University students is 1.1% larger than aid received by Old Dominion University students ($11,870 vs. $11,740).

Old Dominion vs. RU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Old Dominion or RU? 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 RU and Old Dominion.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Old Dominion University (1190) is 140 points higher than at RU (1050).
• Incoming Old Dominion students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (26 vs. 22 at RU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Old Dominion University 1100/1280; Radford University 940/1160.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Old Dominion University 24/29; Radford University 19/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Old Dominion - Test-free; RU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Old Dominion Feb 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman RU students have a 0.01 point higher average high school GPA (3.31) than students at Old Dominion (3.3).
• Old Dominion has a higher acceptance rate (90.4%) than RU (89.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 19.9% at Old Dominion vs. 14.4% at RU.

Old Dominion vs. RU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Old Dominion and RU? 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).

• Radford University's six-year graduation rate (56%) is higher than Old Dominion University's (50%).
• Graduates from Old Dominion University earn a median of about $200 more per year than RU graduates about ten years after starting college ($47,600 vs. $47,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Radford University graduates have a $500 lower median loan debt than Old Dominion graduates ($23,000 vs. $23,500).
• Among borrowers, RU graduates have an estimated $5 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Old Dominion graduates ($237 vs. $242).
• More RU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Old Dominion students, three years after graduation. (70% vs. 53%)

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.