Management Information Systems and Services at Old Dominion University

Old Dominion's MIS program lands squarely in the middle of the pack—40th percentile among Virginia programs and 33rd percentile nationally—with graduates earning $54,748 in their first year. That's about $5,000 below the national median for this degree, though only slightly under Virginia's state median of $55,381. The debt picture offers one clear advantage: at $25,582, graduates carry about $5,400 less debt than the typical Virginia MIS student, resulting in a manageable debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.47. You'll pay off roughly half a year's salary, which is reasonable for a tech-adjacent business degree.

The 7% earnings growth to year four suggests steady but unspectacular career progression. Compare this to ECPI or Liberty, where graduates start about $2,000 higher—not a dramatic difference, but worth noting if your child is comparing offers. Old Dominion's 91% admission rate and significant Pell Grant population (37%) indicate an access-oriented mission, which may appeal if you're prioritizing affordability and acceptance certainty over competitive positioning.

For a family seeking a solid MIS credential without excessive debt, this works. The starting salary covers typical business school outcomes, and the lower-than-state-average debt keeps financial risk contained. Just recognize you're paying for reliability rather than standout career outcomes—this won't be the launchpad to the highest-paying tech positions, but it provides stable entry into IT and business systems roles.