Old Dominion vs. VSU

Comparable Facts

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

Old Dominion University is larger than VSU based on total student enrollment (23,743 students vs. 5,605 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Old Dominion vs. VSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Old Dominion or VSU? 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 VSU ($16,419 vs. $17,840).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Virginia State University are 10.2% lower than at Old Dominion University ($13,355 vs. $14,878).
• Old Dominion University is 27% more expensive for in-state tuition than VSU (about $2,707 more per year; $12,750.00 vs. $10,043.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 49.1% higher at Old Dominion than at Virginia State University (about $11,130 more per year; $33,780.00 vs. $22,650.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Old Dominion University than at Virginia State University (94% vs. 92%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Virginia State University students is 6% larger than aid received by Old Dominion University students ($12,447 vs. $11,740).

Old Dominion vs. VSU Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Old Dominion University (1190) is 230 points higher than at VSU (960).
• Incoming Old Dominion students have a 9 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (26 vs. 17 at VSU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Old Dominion University 1100/1280; Virginia State University 840/1070.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Old Dominion University 24/29; Virginia State University 14/20.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Old Dominion - Test-free; VSU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Old Dominion Feb 1, 2027; VSU May 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Old Dominion students have a 0.45 point higher average high school GPA (3.3) than students at VSU (2.85).
• Old Dominion has a higher acceptance rate (90.4%) than VSU (88.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 19.9% at Old Dominion vs. 14.3% at VSU.

Old Dominion vs. VSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Old Dominion and VSU? 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 Virginia State University's (40%).
• Graduates from Old Dominion University earn a median of about $10,900 more per year than VSU graduates about ten years after starting college ($47,600 vs. $36,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Old Dominion University graduates have a $6,000 lower median loan debt than VSU graduates ($23,500 vs. $29,500).
• Among borrowers, Old Dominion graduates have an estimated $63 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than VSU graduates ($242 vs. $305).
• More Old Dominion graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former VSU students, three years after graduation. (53% vs. 28%)

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.