Old Dominion vs. VMI

Comparable Facts

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

Old Dominion University is larger than VMI based on total student enrollment (23,743 students vs. 1,527 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Old Dominion University is located in Norfolk, VA (Midsize City setting); Virginia Military Institute is in Lexington, VA (Distant Rural setting).
• Old Dominion University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Virginia Military Institute is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Old Dominion University 13:1; Virginia Military Institute 9:1.

Old Dominion vs. VMI Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Old Dominion or VMI? 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 VMI ($16,419 vs. $18,825).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Virginia Military Institute are 24% lower than at Old Dominion University ($11,310 vs. $14,878).
• Virginia Military Institute is 65.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Old Dominion (about $8,296 more per year; $21,046.00 vs. $12,750.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 55.8% higher at VMI than at Old Dominion University (about $18,858 more per year; $52,638.00 vs. $33,780.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Old Dominion University than at Virginia Military Institute (94% vs. 81%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Virginia Military Institute students is 102.9% larger than aid received by Old Dominion University students ($23,821 vs. $11,740).

Old Dominion vs. VMI Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Old Dominion University (1190) is 30 points higher than at VMI (1160).
• Incoming VMI students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (27 vs. 26 at Old Dominion).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Old Dominion University 1100/1280; Virginia Military Institute 1050/1270.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Old Dominion University 24/29; Virginia Military Institute 24/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Old Dominion - Test-free; VMI - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Old Dominion Feb 1, 2027; VMI Feb 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman VMI students have a 0.35 point higher average high school GPA (3.65) than students at Old Dominion (3.3).
• Old Dominion has a higher acceptance rate (90.4%) than VMI (71.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 19.9% at Old Dominion vs. 31.7% at VMI.

Old Dominion vs. VMI Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Old Dominion and VMI? 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 Military Institute's six-year graduation rate (69%) is higher than Old Dominion University's (50%).
• Graduates from Virginia Military Institute earn a median of about $14,500 more per year than Old Dominion graduates about ten years after starting college ($62,100 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 VMI graduates ($23,500 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, Old Dominion graduates have an estimated $16 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than VMI graduates ($242 vs. $258).
• More VMI graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Old Dominion students, three years after graduation. (84% 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.