Head-to-head · 2026
Old Dominion University vs Piedmont Virginia Community College
Compare average net price ($14,638 at Old Dominion University; $5,963 at Piedmont Virginia Community College), ROI score (9.38 vs 17.09), school-wide ten-year median earnings ($54,914 vs $40,752), and admissions context (90.4% at Old Dominion University; Open / not reported at Piedmont Virginia Community College) using federal College Scorecard data. The table keeps affordability, outcomes, access and program fit separate rather than declaring one universal winner.
Face to face
Metric-by-metric comparison
13 metrics, side by side. Color marks a useful directional signal; admissions, SAT, tuition eligibility, ownership and enrollment stay neutral.
| Metric | Old Dominion University | Piedmont Virginia Community College |
|---|---|---|
| ROI score (school-wide) | 9.38 | 17.09 ✓ |
| Avg net price | $14,638 | $5,963 ✓ |
| 4-year avg net price | $58,552 | $23,852 ✓ |
| In-state tuition | $12,750 | $5,072 |
| Out-of-state tuition | $33,780 | $11,510 |
| School-wide earnings (10y) | $54,914 ✓ | $40,752 |
| Acceptance rate | 90.4% | Open / not reported |
| Graduation rate | 46.3% ✓ | 38.6% |
| Retention rate | 76.9% ✓ | 67.7% |
| Median debt | $24,000 | $8,750 ✓ |
| Enrollment | 17,514 | 3,045 |
| Ownership | Public | Public |
| Avg SAT | 1197 | — |
Cost by family income
Reported net price by income band
Federal averages for students receiving Title IV aid. These are context, not a substitute for either school's financial-aid offer.
| Income band | Old Dominion University | Piedmont Virginia Community College |
|---|---|---|
| Family income $0–30k | $9,739 | $5,491 ✓ |
| Family income $30–48k | $10,114 | $3,785 ✓ |
| Family income $48–75k | $13,123 | $7,311 ✓ |
| Family income $75–110k | $16,940 | $8,076 ✓ |
| Family income $110k+ | $23,567 | $12,454 ✓ |
Program fit
Shared fields with reported awards
Award share is the share of reported credentials in a field, not the share of currently enrolled students.
| Shared field | Old Dominion University | Piedmont Virginia Community College |
|---|---|---|
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | 0.2% | 55% |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | 0.3% | 18.3% |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | 6.4% | 4.2% |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | 4.2% | 5.5% |
| Engineering, General | 2.6% | 2.1% |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General | 2.8% | 1.2% |
| Accounting and Related Services | 1.4% | 0.5% |
Decision readout
What the differences mean
Piedmont Virginia Community College reports the lower average net price by $8,675 per year. Holding today's averages constant, that is a $34,700 difference over four years ($23,852 vs $58,552).
Old Dominion University reports $14,162 higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry ($54,914 vs $40,752). This is not earnings for a specific major.
First-year retention is 76.9% at Old Dominion University and 67.7% at Piedmont Virginia Community College. Median federal debt among completers is $24,000 vs $8,750, respectively.
7 of the strongest shared fields with positive award-share data are listed below. Award share describes reported credentials in a field, not the percentage of currently enrolled students.
Keep comparing
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Frequently asked
Old Dominion University vs Piedmont Virginia Community College, answered
3 of the most common questions, with real numbers from federal data.
Which school costs less after aid?
Piedmont Virginia Community College is cheaper — average net price $5,963 per year vs $14,638 at Old Dominion University. The annual difference of $8,675 adds up to about $34,700 over four years.
Which school reports higher earnings?
Old Dominion University reports higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry: $54,914 vs $40,752 at Piedmont Virginia Community College. The gap in the federal data is $14,162. This is not major-specific earnings.
Is there an overall winner?
No single metric makes either school the universal winner. Compare your actual aid offers, residency tuition, intended major, graduation and retention rates, debt, location and campus fit. EduGradify keeps these trade-offs separate instead of combining admissions selectivity and test scores into a final verdict.