Hello! I am a senior and have gotten accepted into both the CoE. I am having a difficult time trying to decide which school to go to. VT has been my #1 choice since 10th grade, and I know it has a strong engineering program/reputable, but ODU has a solid one as well. After doing some calculations, in 4 years the cost of attending VT would be around (60k-70k) 17k a year. Now with ODU, It would be way less around 16k for the whole 4 years (4k a year, got a 6k scholarship) also if I do go I plan on commuting. That’s a HUGE difference, going to ODU I would save a whole lot of money not having to worry about college debt after. Do you think it’s worth going to VT? or am I getting the same education going to ODU? Any help is very much appreciated!!
Where is the money coming from to pay for your education? If you and your parents would need to take on more debt than the standard student loans $5,500 freshman year, $6,500 sophomore year, $7,500 junior year, $7,500 senior, then the place is probably out of your price range.
Provided the engineering program you are looking at at ODU is accredited by ABET, your coursework there will be essentially the same as the engineering coursework in any other ABET accredited program in the country. When you graduate and get a job, you will be paid the same as a starting engineer no matter where you have studied. Yes, there are differences between ODU and VT, but in your case ODU may be the better choice. If you are at the top of your class there, you will get more attention from your professors. Since it looks like money is tight for you, the cost difference might be a lifesaver.
Lots of students drop engineering for a different major. What options would you have at ODU and at VT? Do you like either of those better for your alternate majors?
What GPA do you need to have at ODU in order to keep your scholarship? If you lose the scholarship, will you still be able to afford ODU without debt?
What is your major at Virginia Tech and Old Dominion? Can you change majors at either school? Do both have a business program in case you don’t like your first choice major?
Did you know that 25% of Old Dominion students are affiliated with the military through ROTC or other programs? Are you planning to join the military ? Then Old dominion may be something to look into.
here are the ABET programs at ODU: https://www.odu.edu/eng/academics/abet
If you pick one of these programs and (1) study hard to get good grades (2) get internships – then you will be well positioned when you graduate.
@happymomof1 Thank you for your help 
Money aside which college do you think has the best value? If I do plan on changing my major (which I dont) It’ll be one related to I.T.
@colorado_mom Thank you! I plan on majoring in computer engineering, my mind is pretty set on it, and no I dont want to join the military.
@mikemac thanks ! I looked into that and my major, computer engineering, is there.
Since this is an advice forum, more advice. You say you plan on commuting if you go to ODU. I hope this means a 20-30 min commute. If you spend hours each day going back and forth you are losing a lot of time, and you will be unlikely to do that whole trek on a day when you don’t have classes just to go to office hours to get a question or two answered. Additionally college is about more than just the classes. Its a chance to meet new friends, be exposed to different points of view, trying new things, etc. Living at home can change the experience. If you have to then you have to, but I’d say to look at your budget and see if it is possible to live on campus your frosh year.
@JGom11 - I can’t speak to “best value”, you are the only one who can decide that. The simple truth is that nationwide most students commute to a nearby college or university. Most of them are successful at making it work. Some are less successful at making it work. You will be the one who determines which category you fall into.
My own kid commuted (20-30 minutes each way) for two years to a local community college here in Maryland, then lived off campus in a shared apartment for two years while finishing her degree at Towson U. She had to follow that plan because it was what we could afford. She finished with just the junior and senior year federal loans. She worked for four years, and now is in her dream grad program with full support.
My kid was in a major (Theatre Tech/Design) that requires late hours, crazy schedules, and lots of team projects. Not unlike engineering in many of those respects. She also is cheerful and friendly and cooperative. Consequently she made life-long friends both at her CC and at her university. If you are cheerful and friendly and cooperative and work well in your team projects, chances are you can make life-long friends as a commuter too.
I went to college far from home. One of my best friends wasn’t a commuter, but had parents only an hour away. Her family opened their home to me and other far-from-home students on many occasions. We are all still close with that family more than 40 years later. If you do end up at ODU, and your family is willing to host your not-commuting ODU friends for a home-cooked meal and a chance to wash a load of clothes for free on occasion, chances are that your family will end up with some “adopted” kids as well. 
To help you crunch your numbers, try this calculator: http://www.finaid.org/calculators/awardletteradvanced.phtml
Truly, you have two good options to choose from. Provided both are affordable, whichever one you choose won’t be wrong.
Loping in @Coloradomama (the mom from CO that actually gave the above input). Good luck!