Civil Engineering at Old Dominion University

Old Dominion's civil engineering program sits in an awkward middle ground: it delivers solid absolute outcomes but lags behind alternatives in Virginia. First-year graduates earn $64,246, roughly $10,000 less than Virginia's median for civil engineering programs and about $5,000 below the national median. At the 40th percentile statewide, this program trails UVA, Virginia Tech, and George Mason—schools that many of ODU's applicants likely also consider. The $25,000 median debt aligns with state and national norms, making the real issue earnings performance rather than borrowing levels.

The positive spin is that earnings growth looks healthy at 15% over four years, and the debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.39 remains manageable for an engineering field. A $64,000 starting salary isn't dire for civil engineering, a profession known for steady rather than spectacular pay. For students who need the accessibility of ODU's 91% admission rate, this program won't derail their careers.

But here's the reality for Virginia families: why pay similar debt for $10,000 less in annual earnings when Virginia Tech and UVA are options? Even George Mason outperforms by over $11,000 annually. Unless location in Norfolk or admission requirements make ODU the only viable choice, Virginia students with competitive profiles should aim higher—that earnings gap compounds significantly over a career.