WCU vs. Old Dominion

Comparable Facts

Compare West Chester University of Pennsylvania in West Chester, PA 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 WCU based on total student enrollment (23,743 students vs. 17,171 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• West Chester University of Pennsylvania is located in West Chester, PA (Large Suburban setting); Old Dominion University is in Norfolk, VA (Midsize City setting).
• West Chester University of Pennsylvania is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Old Dominion University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: West Chester University of Pennsylvania 20:1; Old Dominion University 13:1.

WCU vs. Old Dominion Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, WCU 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 WCU ($16,419 vs. $22,546).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at West Chester University of Pennsylvania are 0.3% lower than at Old Dominion University ($14,828 vs. $14,878).
• Old Dominion University is 18.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than WCU (about $1,975 more per year; $12,750.00 vs. $10,775.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 49.5% higher at Old Dominion than at West Chester University of Pennsylvania (about $11,181 more per year; $33,780.00 vs. $22,599.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Old Dominion University than at West Chester University of Pennsylvania (94% vs. 73%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Old Dominion University students is 105.6% larger than aid received by West Chester University of Pennsylvania students ($11,740 vs. $5,709).

WCU vs. Old Dominion Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, WCU 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 WCU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at West Chester University of Pennsylvania (1190) is the same as at Old Dominion (1190).
• Incoming WCU 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: West Chester University of Pennsylvania 1100/1270; Old Dominion University 1100/1280.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: West Chester University of Pennsylvania 24/28; Old Dominion University 24/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: WCU - Test optional; Old Dominion - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Old Dominion Feb 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman WCU students have a 0.13 point higher average high school GPA (3.43) than students at Old Dominion (3.3).
• Old Dominion has a higher acceptance rate (90.4%) than WCU (78.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 22.4% at WCU vs. 19.9% at Old Dominion.

WCU vs. Old Dominion Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for WCU 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).

• West Chester University of Pennsylvania's six-year graduation rate (68%) is higher than Old Dominion University's (50%).
• Graduates from West Chester University of Pennsylvania earn a median of about $1,400 more per year than Old Dominion graduates about ten years after starting college ($49,000 vs. $47,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Old Dominion University and WCU graduates have the same median loan debt ($23,500 vs. $23,500).
• Among borrowers in the federal data, Old Dominion University and WCU graduates have the same median monthly federal student loan payment ($242 vs. $242).
• More WCU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Old Dominion students, three years after graduation. (75% 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.