Old Dominion vs. SVU

Comparable Facts

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

Old Dominion University is larger than SVU based on total student enrollment (23,743 students vs. 936 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Old Dominion vs. SVU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Old Dominion or SVU? 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 SVU ($16,419 vs. $24,561).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Southern Virginia University are 33.5% lower than at Old Dominion University ($9,894 vs. $14,878).
• Southern Virginia University is 66.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Old Dominion (about $8,530 more per year; $21,280.00 vs. $12,750.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 58.7% higher at Old Dominion than at Southern Virginia University (about $12,500 more per year; $33,780.00 vs. $21,280.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Southern Virginia University than at Old Dominion University (100% vs. 94%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Old Dominion University students is 16.9% larger than aid received by Southern Virginia University students ($11,740 vs. $10,041).

Old Dominion vs. SVU Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Old Dominion University (1190) is 90 points higher than at SVU (1100).
• Incoming Old Dominion students have a 5 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (26 vs. 21 at SVU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Old Dominion University 1100/1280; Southern Virginia University 943/1253.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Old Dominion University 24/29; Southern Virginia University 18/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Old Dominion - Test-free; SVU - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Old Dominion Feb 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Old Dominion students have a 0.11 point higher average high school GPA (3.3) than students at SVU (3.19).
• SVU has a higher acceptance rate (96.4%) than Old Dominion (90.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 19.9% at Old Dominion vs. 21.4% at SVU.

Old Dominion vs. SVU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Old Dominion and SVU? 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 Southern Virginia University's (25%).
• Graduates from Old Dominion University earn a median of about $7,000 more per year than SVU graduates about ten years after starting college ($47,600 vs. $40,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Old Dominion University graduates have a $154 lower median loan debt than SVU graduates ($23,500 vs. $23,654).
• Among borrowers, Old Dominion graduates have an estimated $2 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than SVU graduates ($242 vs. $244).
• More SVU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Old Dominion students, three years after graduation. (53% 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.