UNCSA vs. Old Dominion

Comparable Facts

Compare University of North Carolina School of the Arts in Winston Salem, NC with Old Dominion University in Norfolk, VA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Old Dominion University is larger than UNCSA based on total student enrollment (23,743 students vs. 1,111 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of North Carolina School of the Arts is located in Winston Salem, NC (Midsize City setting); Old Dominion University is in Norfolk, VA (Midsize City setting).
• University of North Carolina School of the Arts 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 North Carolina School of the Arts 6:1; Old Dominion University 13:1.

UNCSA vs. Old Dominion Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UNCSA 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 North Carolina School of the Arts than Old Dominion ($13,140 vs. $16,419).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of North Carolina School of the Arts are 9.1% lower than at Old Dominion University ($13,517 vs. $14,878).
• Old Dominion University is 34.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than UNCSA (about $3,273 more per year; $12,750.00 vs. $9,477.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 24.1% higher at Old Dominion than at University of North Carolina School of the Arts (about $6,569 more per year; $33,780.00 vs. $27,211.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Old Dominion University than at University of North Carolina School of the Arts (94% vs. 62%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of North Carolina School of the Arts students is 9.7% larger than aid received by Old Dominion University students ($12,876 vs. $11,740).

UNCSA vs. Old Dominion Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UNCSA 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 UNCSA.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of North Carolina School of the Arts (1260) is 70 points higher than at Old Dominion (1190).
• Incoming Old Dominion students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (26 vs. 25 at UNCSA).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of North Carolina School of the Arts 1140/1370; Old Dominion University 1100/1280.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of North Carolina School of the Arts 22/29; Old Dominion University 24/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UNCSA - Test optional; Old Dominion - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: UNCSA Mar 15, 2027; Old Dominion Feb 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman UNCSA students have a 0.45 point higher average high school GPA (3.75) than students at Old Dominion (3.3).
• Old Dominion has a higher acceptance rate (90.4%) than UNCSA (30%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 55.5% at UNCSA vs. 19.9% at Old Dominion.

UNCSA vs. Old Dominion Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UNCSA 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 North Carolina School of the Arts's six-year graduation rate (58%) is higher than Old Dominion University's (50%).
• Graduates from Old Dominion University earn a median of about $8,500 more per year than UNCSA graduates about ten years after starting college ($47,600 vs. $39,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Old Dominion University graduates have a $3,500 lower median loan debt than UNCSA graduates ($23,500 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Old Dominion graduates have an estimated $37 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UNCSA graduates ($242 vs. $279).
• More UNCSA graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Old Dominion students, three years after graduation. (56% 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.