Old Dominion vs. SU

Comparable Facts

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

Old Dominion University is larger than SU based on total student enrollment (23,743 students vs. 4,454 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Old Dominion University is located in Norfolk, VA (Midsize City setting); Shenandoah University is in Winchester, VA (Small City setting).
• Old Dominion University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Shenandoah University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Old Dominion University 13:1; Shenandoah University 12:1.

Old Dominion vs. SU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Old Dominion or SU? 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 SU ($16,419 vs. $27,181).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Shenandoah University are 16.1% lower than at Old Dominion University ($12,490 vs. $14,878).
• Shenandoah University is 189.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than Old Dominion (about $24,200 more per year; $36,950.00 vs. $12,750.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 9.4% higher at SU than at Old Dominion University (about $3,170 more per year; $36,950.00 vs. $33,780.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Shenandoah University than at Old Dominion University (100% vs. 94%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Shenandoah University students is 110.8% larger than aid received by Old Dominion University students ($24,747 vs. $11,740).

Old Dominion vs. SU Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Old Dominion University (1190) is 70 points higher than at SU (1120).
• Incoming Old Dominion students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (26 vs. 22 at SU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Old Dominion University 1100/1280; Shenandoah University 1010/1230.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Old Dominion University 24/29; Shenandoah University 19/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Old Dominion - Test-free; SU - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Old Dominion Feb 1, 2027; SU Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman SU students have a 0.4 point higher average high school GPA (3.7) than students at Old Dominion (3.3).
• Old Dominion has a higher acceptance rate (90.4%) than SU (77%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 19.9% at Old Dominion vs. 16.7% at SU.

Old Dominion vs. SU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

• Old Dominion University's six-year graduation rate (50%) is higher than Shenandoah University's (45%).
• Graduates from Shenandoah University earn a median of about $700 more per year than Old Dominion graduates about ten years after starting college ($48,300 vs. $47,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Old Dominion University graduates have a $1,500 lower median loan debt than SU graduates ($23,500 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, Old Dominion graduates have an estimated $16 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than SU graduates ($242 vs. $258).
• More SU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Old Dominion students, three years after graduation. (60% 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.