WSU vs. Old Dominion

Comparable Facts

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

Wayne State University is larger than Old Dominion based on total student enrollment (23,803 students vs. 23,743 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Wayne State University is located in Detroit, MI (Large City setting); Old Dominion University is in Norfolk, VA (Midsize City setting).
• Wayne State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Old Dominion University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Wayne State University 14:1; Old Dominion University 13:1.

WSU vs. Old Dominion Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, WSU 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 Wayne State University than Old Dominion ($14,416 vs. $16,419).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Wayne State University are 4.2% lower than at Old Dominion University ($14,252 vs. $14,878).
• Wayne State University is 19.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Old Dominion (about $2,440 more per year; $15,190.00 vs. $12,750.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 5.4% higher at Old Dominion than at Wayne State University (about $1,743 more per year; $33,780.00 vs. $32,037.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Wayne State University than at Old Dominion University (98% vs. 94%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Wayne State University students is 10.3% larger than aid received by Old Dominion University students ($12,953 vs. $11,740).

WSU vs. Old Dominion Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, WSU 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 WSU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Old Dominion University (1190) is 20 points higher than at WSU (1170).
• Incoming WSU 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: Wayne State University 1060/1270; Old Dominion University 1100/1280.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Wayne State University 23/29; Old Dominion University 24/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: WSU - Test optional; Old Dominion - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: WSU Aug 1, 2027; Old Dominion Feb 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman WSU students have a 0.12 point higher average high school GPA (3.42) than students at Old Dominion (3.3).
• Old Dominion has a higher acceptance rate (90.4%) than WSU (81.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 22.4% at WSU vs. 19.9% at Old Dominion.

WSU vs. Old Dominion Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for WSU 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).

• Old Dominion University's six-year graduation rate (50%) is higher than Wayne State University's (26%).
• Graduates from Wayne State University earn a median of about $3,400 more per year than Old Dominion graduates about ten years after starting college ($51,000 vs. $47,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Wayne State University graduates have a $1,242 lower median loan debt than Old Dominion graduates ($22,258 vs. $23,500).
• Among borrowers, WSU graduates have an estimated $12 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Old Dominion graduates ($230 vs. $242).
• More Old Dominion graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former WSU students, three years after graduation. (53% vs. 38%)

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.