Mechanical Engineering at Old Dominion University

Old Dominion's mechanical engineering program delivers solid outcomes at an excellent price point—but if your student can get into Virginia Tech or UVA, those are materially better options. Starting at $71,774, graduates earn roughly what engineers nationally make, yet carry $27,000 in debt—less than most peers at the 5th percentile nationally. That's a manageable 38% debt-to-earnings ratio, meaning grads can reasonably pay off loans in 3-4 years while living comfortably.

The challenge is that among Virginia's seven mechanical engineering programs, this ranks 40th percentile—essentially middle of the pack for the state. Virginia Tech grads start $6,500 higher, and even UVA and George Mason edge ahead by $2,000-3,000. For a highly accessible program (91% admission rate), these are respectable outcomes, but the premium Virginia programs aren't dramatically harder to enter and they deliver noticeably stronger earning power. The 12% earnings growth to year four is healthy but not exceptional.

For families watching costs closely or students who need the accessibility of ODU's admission standards, this program offers legitimate engineering credentials without crushing debt. But if your student has the grades for Virginia Tech or UVA, the extra $25,000-35,000 in lifetime earnings makes those worth serious consideration, especially since all three schools keep debt manageable.