Old Dominion University — College Profile

About

Old Dominion University is a prominent public R1 research institution in Norfolk, Virginia, renowned for standout programs in engineering, maritime business, nursing, and its pioneering degree in modeling and simulation. Set in a vibrant coastal metro area, campus life is energetic and diverse, anchored by passionate Monarch pride and NCAA Division I athletics in the Sun Belt Conference. ODU uniquely distinguishes itself through deep strategic ties to the region's massive defense and shipping sectors, serving as a national powerhouse in naval engineering, port logistics, and coastal resilience research.

Wikipedia:Old Dominion University (ODU) is a public research university in Norfolk, Virginia, United States. Established in 1930 as the two-year Norfolk Division of the College of William & Mary, the school became an independent college in 1962 and attained university status in 1969. In 2023, it had an enrollment of 23,494 students, and its main campus covers 250 acres.

Location

Norfolk, VA, 23529 · City campus

✈

Nearest airport from college

ORF · Norfolk

16 mi away

Open in Google Maps

Cost & aid

Cost of attendance

These figures are federal data and may be out of date.

In-stateOut-of-state

Tuition & fees$12,750$33,780

Housing & food (on campus)$14,878$14,878

Books & supplies$1,800$1,800

Cost of attendance$29,446$50,476 est.

Average net price$14,638Not published

Out-of-state prices

Tuition & fees$33,780

In-state: $12,750

Housing & food (on campus)$14,878

Books & supplies$1,800

Cost of attendance$50,476 est.

In-state: $29,446

Average net priceNot published

In-state: $14,638

est. = the in-state cost of attendance with out-of-state tuition swapped in; no out-of-state figure is published.

Source: U.S. College Scorecard

Net price by family income · in-state students, 2023-24

$0–30k

$9,739

$30–48k

$10,114

$48–75k

$13,123

$75–110k

$16,940

$110k+

$23,567

Your family's actual price → Old Dominion University net price calculator

Source: U.S. College Scorecard

Merit aid · 2025-26

Awarded without financial need. Students with financial need can get merit awards too; they're counted as need-based aid.

Average award$8,011

Share of first-years who get one21%

Source: Old Dominion University's Common Data Set — the school's own yearly report of its admissions and aid figures (PDF).

Outcomes

Completion

Within 6 yrs

45%

Entered 2017–18

Within 4 yrs

26%

Back for yr 2

77%

Transferred

26%

8 yrs after starting · first-time, full-time students

50% graduated · 27% transferred · 1% still enrolled · 21% left or unknown

Earnings · measured 2020 & 2021

6 yrs after entry$46,732

10 yrs after entry$54,914

Debt

Median at graduation$24,000

Monthly payment$254

Middle 50% owe$7.5k–$26.3k

90th percentile$35,165

Admissions

Getting in · applied for fall 2024

Admit rate

90%

Test policy

Test optional

Per College Scorecard

SAT average

1197

R 570–650 · M 530–630

ACT midpoint

Comp 24–29 · E 22–29 · M 20–28

SAT middle 50%: 1100–1280

40080012001600

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Essay prompts

How much essays count at Old Dominion University: Considered (one of four levels: very important · important · considered · not considered)

Source: Old Dominion University's Common Data Set for 2025-26 — the school's own yearly report of its admissions and aid figures (PDF).

If Old Dominion University asks for supplemental essays, the prompts are in the Common App.

The personal essay is separate: see the Common App essay prompts.

Student Body

Gender

Men 46%Women 54%

Who enrolls

Faculty ratio

13 : 1

Pell grant

37%

First-gen

33%

Family income

$38,019

Independent

34%

Veterans

Age at entry

23.0

Part-time

23%

Race & ethnicity

White

41%

Hispanic

11%

Black

32%

Asian

Two or more

Non-resident

Unknown

Varsity sports

NCAA Division I-FBS · EADA 2024-25

Baseball
Men's
Basketball
Men's · Women's
Field Hockey
Women's
Football
Men's
Golf
Men's · Women's
Lacrosse
Women's
Rowing
Women's
Sailing
Men's · Women's
Soccer
Men's · Women's
Swimming
Men's · Women's
Tennis
Men's · Women's
Volleyball
Women's

Programs & Earnings

Bachelor's degrees by annual completions · 4yr national median earnings

Median earnings, all programs · measured 2020 & 2021

After 6 yrs

$46,732

After 10 yrs

$54,914

Psychology, General309

Criminology192

Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other191

Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing178

Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies171

Biology, General170

Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management168

Business Administration, Management and Operations160

Mental and Social Health Services and Allied Professions156

Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas133

Engineering/Engineering-Related Technologies/Technicians, Other132

Mechanical Engineering117

Computer and Information Sciences, General113

Management Information Systems and Services111

Health Professions and Related Clinical Sciences, Other105

Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods92

Type your major above to highlight and detail relevant programs.

Institutional

Resources

Endowment

$320M

Full-time faculty

96%

Faculty salary

$10,583/mo

Teaching spend

$12,901

per student

Federal loans

41%

Classification

Carnegie type

Doctoral University

Research activity

R1 — very high research

$76M research spending · 143 research doctorates a year

Undergraduate profile

Four-year, inclusive admissions