UC Riverside vs. Old Dominion

Comparable Facts

Compare University of California Riverside in Riverside, CA with Old Dominion University in Norfolk, VA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of California Riverside is larger than Old Dominion based on total student enrollment (26,384 students vs. 23,743 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of California Riverside is located in Riverside, CA (Large City setting); Old Dominion University is in Norfolk, VA (Midsize City setting).
• University of California Riverside is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Old Dominion University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of California Riverside 22:1; Old Dominion University 13:1.

UC Riverside vs. Old Dominion Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UC Riverside or Old Dominion? 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 University of California Riverside than Old Dominion ($14,562 vs. $16,419).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Old Dominion University are 28.1% lower than at University of California Riverside ($14,878 vs. $20,691).
• University of California Riverside is 22.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than Old Dominion (about $2,856 more per year; $15,606.00 vs. $12,750.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 47.4% higher at UC Riverside than at Old Dominion University (about $16,026 more per year; $49,806.00 vs. $33,780.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Old Dominion University than at University of California Riverside (94% vs. 76%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of California Riverside students is 107.5% larger than aid received by Old Dominion University students ($24,355 vs. $11,740).

UC Riverside vs. Old Dominion Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Old Dominion University (1190) is 10 points higher than at UC Riverside (1180).
• Incoming UC Riverside students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 26) as students at Old Dominion (26).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of California Riverside 1080/1280; Old Dominion University 1100/1280.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of California Riverside 22/31; Old Dominion University 24/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UC Riverside - Test-free; Old Dominion - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: UC Riverside Nov 30, 2026; Old Dominion Feb 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman UC Riverside students have a 0.54 point higher average high school GPA (3.84) than students at Old Dominion (3.3).
• Old Dominion has a higher acceptance rate (90.4%) than UC Riverside (76.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.2% at UC Riverside vs. 19.9% at Old Dominion.

UC Riverside vs. Old Dominion Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UC Riverside and Old Dominion? 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).

• University of California Riverside's six-year graduation rate (67%) is higher than Old Dominion University's (50%).
• Graduates from University of California Riverside earn a median of about $4,600 more per year than Old Dominion graduates about ten years after starting college ($52,200 vs. $47,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of California Riverside graduates have a $4,391 lower median loan debt than Old Dominion graduates ($19,109 vs. $23,500).
• Among borrowers, UC Riverside graduates have an estimated $45 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Old Dominion graduates ($197 vs. $242).
• More UC Riverside graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Old Dominion students, three years after graduation. (65% 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.