Old Dominion University

  • 6/10 Overall Rating
  • 4 Year
  • Norfolk, VA
  • 4.5 2 reviews
#10 Best Public Universities in Virginia

Overview

Total enrollment

23,743
Old Dominion University overview
Old Dominion University overview
  • Size Large
  • Status Non-profit
  • Housing Yes
  • Level of Study Undergrad/Graduate

Old Dominion University is located in Norfolk, Virginia, situated in the Hampton Roads metropolitan area along the Elizabeth River. The 251-acre urban campus combines modern academic buildings with historic structures dating to the institution's founding in 1930 as a division of the College of William and Mary, before becoming independent in 1962. ODU maintains particular academic strength in engineering, maritime studies, and cybersecurity, while its Distance Learning program serves as one of the largest and most comprehensive in the United States. The university operates several satellite locations throughout Virginia and offers on-campus housing in multiple residential communities. As a member of NCAA Division I and the Sun Belt Conference, ODU fields teams in 18 varsity sports, with its men's basketball program historically being the most prominent.

Ratings

Old Dominion is rated within the top 45% of four-year colleges nationally and earns a CollegeSimply grade of 6 out of 10.

  • Overall Rating
    6 out of 10
  • Academics
    7 out of 10
  • Resources
    7 out of 10
  • Outcomes
    6 out of 10
  • Value
    5 out of 10

Admissions

Admission Standards

Challenging
Old Dominion University admission standards
  • GPA 3.3

Acceptance Rate

90.4%
Old Dominion University applications overview
  • Applications Due Feb 1, 2027
  • Enrollment Rate 19.9%
  • Application Fee $50

Applicant Competition Very Low

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Annual Cost to Attend

Virginia Resident Tuition

$12,750

Out of State Resident Tuition

$33,780

Breakdown

In State Costs for Old Dominion University
  • Tuition $12,750
  • Books and Supplies $1,800
  • Other Fees $4,950
  • Room and Board $14,878
  • Budget for Other Expenses $3,560
  • Total One Year Cost $37,938

Student Outcomes

Average Salary After 10 Years

$47,600 per year

Bachelor's Degree Graduation Rate

50% within 6 years

Popular Areas of Study

Popular majors at Old Dominion University are Business, Health Professions, and Social Sciences. 19% of students major in Business, 15% in Health Professions, and 12% in Social Sciences.

  • Business 19%
  • Health Professions 15%
  • Social Sciences 12%
  • English and Literature 8%
  • General Studies 7%

More Colleges to Consider

Students considering Old Dominion University are frequently interested in these similar colleges.

Data source: NCES / IPEDS https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=232982.

GPA calculator: Old Dominion University GPA calculator.

Last updated: August 2026