Computer Engineering at Old Dominion University

Old Dominion's Computer Engineering program falls behind most Virginia alternatives, with first-year earnings of $70,298 ranking in just the 25th percentile among the state's 11 programs. That's $16,000 below the state median and nearly $9,000 under the national benchmark. While the debt load of $23,360 is reasonable, graduates are essentially earning below-market wages in a field that typically commands premium salaries—creating an opportunity cost that compounds over time.

The strong 37% earnings growth to $96,247 by year four offers some reassurance, suggesting graduates can catch up once they gain experience. However, this trajectory still leaves them trailing peers from UVA ($118k), George Mason ($87k), and Virginia Tech ($87k) from day one. In a competitive field like computer engineering where starting salary often sets your career trajectory, that initial gap matters.

The small sample size here is a real concern—we're looking at fewer than 30 graduates, which means these numbers could swing significantly with just a handful of different outcomes. For a family considering in-state options, Virginia Tech or George Mason offer stronger salary prospects at similar admission selectivity and likely comparable costs. ODU might work for students who need to stay local in the Norfolk area, but the earnings data suggests you're trading convenience for income potential in a field where Virginia offers clearly better alternatives.