KU vs. Old Dominion

Comparable Facts

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

University of Kansas is larger than Old Dominion based on total student enrollment (29,792 students vs. 23,743 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Kansas is located in Lawrence, KS (Small City setting); Old Dominion University is in Norfolk, VA (Midsize City setting).
• University of Kansas 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 Kansas 18:1; Old Dominion University 13:1.

KU vs. Old Dominion Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, KU 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 Old Dominion University than KU ($16,419 vs. $19,205).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Kansas are 23.7% lower than at Old Dominion University ($11,358 vs. $14,878).
• Old Dominion University is 5.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than KU (about $648 more per year; $12,750.00 vs. $12,102.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 11% higher at Old Dominion than at University of Kansas (about $3,348 more per year; $33,780.00 vs. $30,432.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Old Dominion University than at University of Kansas (94% vs. 91%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Old Dominion University students is 1.7% larger than aid received by University of Kansas students ($11,740 vs. $11,541).

KU vs. Old Dominion Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, KU 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 KU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Kansas (1190) is the same as at Old Dominion (1190).
• Incoming Old Dominion students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (26 vs. 24 at KU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Kansas 1070/1300; Old Dominion University 1100/1280.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Kansas 20/28; Old Dominion University 24/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: KU - Test optional; Old Dominion - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: KU Aug 15, 2027; Old Dominion Feb 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman KU students have a 0.36 point higher average high school GPA (3.66) than students at Old Dominion (3.3).
• KU has a higher acceptance rate (93.5%) than Old Dominion (90.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 25.5% at KU vs. 19.9% at Old Dominion.

KU vs. Old Dominion Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for KU 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 Kansas's six-year graduation rate (61%) is higher than Old Dominion University's (50%).
• Graduates from University of Kansas earn a median of about $7,000 more per year than Old Dominion graduates about ten years after starting college ($54,600 vs. $47,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Kansas graduates have a $3,000 lower median loan debt than Old Dominion graduates ($20,500 vs. $23,500).
• Among borrowers, KU graduates have an estimated $31 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Old Dominion graduates ($211 vs. $242).
• More KU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Old Dominion students, three years after graduation. (66% 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.