Old Dominion vs. Virginia Tech

Comparable Facts

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

Virginia Tech is larger than Old Dominion based on total student enrollment (38,857 students vs. 23,743 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Old Dominion vs. Virginia Tech Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Old Dominion or Virginia Tech? 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 Virginia Tech ($16,419 vs. $24,912).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Old Dominion University are 10.1% lower than at Virginia Tech ($14,878 vs. $16,550).
• Virginia Tech is 25.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Old Dominion (about $3,198 more per year; $15,948.00 vs. $12,750.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 11.8% higher at Virginia Tech than at Old Dominion University (about $3,984 more per year; $37,764.00 vs. $33,780.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Old Dominion University than at Virginia Tech (94% vs. 60%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Old Dominion University students is 28.1% larger than aid received by Virginia Tech students ($11,740 vs. $9,168).

Old Dominion vs. Virginia Tech Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Old Dominion or Virginia Tech? Typical SAT and ACT scores (midpoint estimates from the mid-50% ranges in the table above), enrolled-tester score ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Virginia Tech and Old Dominion.

• The typical SAT score (midpoint estimate) at Virginia Tech (1370) is 180 points higher than at Old Dominion (1190).
• Incoming Virginia Tech students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate) (30 vs. 26 at Old Dominion).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Old Dominion University 1100/1280; Virginia Tech 1280/1450.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Old Dominion University 24/29; Virginia Tech 28/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Old Dominion - Test-free; Virginia Tech - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Old Dominion Feb 1, 2027; Virginia Tech Jan 15, 2027.
• Enrolled freshman Virginia Tech students have a 0.67 point higher average high school GPA (3.97) than students at Old Dominion (3.3).
• Old Dominion has a higher acceptance rate (90.4%) than Virginia Tech (54.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 19.9% at Old Dominion vs. 25.3% at Virginia Tech.

Old Dominion vs. Virginia Tech Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Old Dominion and Virginia Tech? Where federal data is available for both schools, the bullets below compare graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt using the same College Scorecard / IPEDS fields as the comparison table. If a metric is missing for one school, that school is noted separately.

• Virginia Tech's six-year graduation rate (82%) is higher than Old Dominion University's (50%).
• Graduates from Virginia Tech earn a median of about $17,400 more per year than Old Dominion graduates about ten years after starting college ($65,000 vs. $47,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Old Dominion University graduates have a $466 lower median loan debt than Virginia Tech graduates ($23,500 vs. $23,966).
• Among borrowers, Old Dominion graduates have an estimated $5 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Virginia Tech graduates ($242 vs. $247).
• More Virginia Tech graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Old Dominion students, three years after graduation. (81% 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.