Old Dominion vs. VCU

Comparable Facts

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

Virginia Commonwealth University is larger than Old Dominion based on total student enrollment (28,464 students vs. 23,743 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Old Dominion University is located in Norfolk, VA (Midsize City setting); Virginia Commonwealth University is in Richmond, VA (Midsize City setting).
• Old Dominion University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Virginia Commonwealth University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Old Dominion University 13:1; Virginia Commonwealth University 17:1.

Old Dominion vs. VCU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Old Dominion or VCU? 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 VCU ($16,419 vs. $26,836).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Old Dominion University are 18.5% lower than at Virginia Commonwealth University ($14,878 vs. $18,254).
• Virginia Commonwealth University is 32.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Old Dominion (about $4,195 more per year; $16,945.00 vs. $12,750.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 18.7% higher at VCU than at Old Dominion University (about $6,329 more per year; $40,109.00 vs. $33,780.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Old Dominion University than at Virginia Commonwealth University (94% vs. 88%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Virginia Commonwealth University students is 20.8% larger than aid received by Old Dominion University students ($14,186 vs. $11,740).

Old Dominion vs. VCU Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Old Dominion University (1190) is 50 points higher than at VCU (1140).
• Incoming Old Dominion students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 26) as students at VCU (26).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Old Dominion University 1100/1280; Virginia Commonwealth University 1010/1270.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Old Dominion University 24/29; Virginia Commonwealth University 22/30.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Old Dominion - Test-free; VCU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Old Dominion Feb 1, 2027; VCU Jan 18, 2027.
• Accepted freshman VCU students have a 0.45 point higher average high school GPA (3.75) than students at Old Dominion (3.3).
• VCU has a higher acceptance rate (92.6%) than Old Dominion (90.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 19.9% at Old Dominion vs. 21.6% at VCU.

Old Dominion vs. VCU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

• Virginia Commonwealth University's six-year graduation rate (53%) is higher than Old Dominion University's (50%).
• Graduates from Old Dominion University earn a median of about $100 more per year than VCU graduates about ten years after starting college ($47,600 vs. $47,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Virginia Commonwealth University graduates have a $250 lower median loan debt than Old Dominion graduates ($23,250 vs. $23,500).
• Among borrowers, VCU graduates have an estimated $2 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Old Dominion graduates ($240 vs. $242).
• More VCU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Old Dominion students, three years after graduation. (56% 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.