Old Dominion University (ODU) vs Liberty University
Old Dominion University and Liberty University, both located in Virginia, offer distinct educational experiences. Old Dominion University, a public research university, boasts a diverse student body and a wide range of academic programs, with popular majors in business, engineering, and health professions. Liberty University, a private Christian university, emphasizes faith-based education and offers popular majors in business, education, and religion. While Old Dominion University has a higher acceptance rate, Liberty University has a higher graduation rate. Explore the detailed comparison table to discover more key differences and make an informed decision about which university aligns best with your academic goals and personal preferences.
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![]() Liberty University |
![]() Old Dominion University |
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Overview |
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Location | Lynchburg, Virginia | Norfolk, Virginia |
Campus setting | City: Small | City: Midsize |
College type | 4 year | 4 year |
Control/business model | Private (Non Profit) | Public |
Calendar system | Semester | Semester |
Degrees offered | Undergraduate and Graduate | Undergraduate and Graduate |
Students retention rate | 79.0% | 72.0% |
![]() |
No | Yes |
Religious affiliation | Evangelical | |
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Admission |
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Acceptance rate | 99.3% | 96.2% |
Application fees |
Undergraduate:
$50
Graduate:
$50
|
Undergraduate:
$50
Graduate:
$50
|
SAT range | N/A | 1020 - 1220 |
ACT range | N/A | 20 - 27 |
Students submitting SAT score | 83.0% | |
Students submitting ACT score | 11.0% | |
Total number of applicants | 28,448 | 13,586 |
Total number of admissions given out | 28,244 | 13,074 |
Admitted students who chose to enroll | 5,461 | 2,899 |
Yield rate | 19.3% | 22.2% |
Test scores (SAT/ACT) | N/A | N/A |
High school GPA | Required | Required |
Recommendation letters | Not required | Not required |
High school transcript | Not required | Not required |
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL) | Required | Required |
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Tuition and Fees |
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Sticker price | $42,620 |
In state:
$28,088
Out of state:
$48,248
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Average net price | $27,891 | $17,254 |
Tuition | $21,663 |
In state:
$7,029
Out of state:
$26,664
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Room & board |
Room/dormitory:
$6,150
Meal plan:
$4,560
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Room/dormitory:
$7,690
Meal plan:
$5,398
|
Available payment plans |
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Financial Aid |
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Students receiving financial aid
(Grants & scholarships) |
89.0%
Average amount $12,431 |
91.0%
Average amount $7,702 |
Students receiving federal student loan |
52.0%
Average amount $5,619 |
57.0%
Average amount $5,222 |
Students taking out private loans |
9.0%
Average amount $17,351 |
7.0%
Average amount $15,206 |
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Students and Campus |
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Undergraduate students |
47,696
Men 43.0% Women 57.0% |
18,678
Men 43.9% Women 56.1% |
Graduate students |
47,013
Men 38.7% Women 61.3% |
4,816
Men 39.4% Women 60.6% |
Racial/ethnic diversity |
Low
|
Moderate
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Out-of-state students | 76.0% | 10.2% |
International students | 0.7% | 2.8% |
Campus local/setting | City: Small | City: Midsize |
Dormitory capacity | 8,222 | 4,361 |
First year students are required to live on campus? | No | No |
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from | Virginia North Carolina Pennsylvania Texas Florida | Virginia Maryland Pennsylvania North Carolina New Jersey |
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Academics |
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Popular study areas |
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Students to faculty ratio | 17:1 | 16:1 |
Institutional accreditation | Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges | Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges |
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Outcome |
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Graduation rate | 62.1% | 48.7% |
Dropout rate | 30.2% | 19.7% |
Transferred out | 5.6% | 28.2% |
Alumni salary by major (Top 10) |
Intelligence, Command Control and Information Operations (Master's Degrees)
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Master's Degrees)
Computer and Information Sciences, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
Management Information Systems and Services (Bachelor's Degrees)
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Bachelor's Degrees)
Business/Commerce, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees)
Pastoral Counseling and Specialized Ministries (Graduate/Professional Certificates)
Educational Administration and Supervision (Doctoral Degrees)
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Engineering, Other (Master's Degrees)
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Master's Degrees)
Engineering, General (Master's Degrees)
Computer Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
Education, Other (Doctoral Degrees)
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees)
Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions (Master's Degrees)
Computer and Information Sciences, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
Mechanical Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
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