Old Dominion University
A good fit for students who want accessible admissions and families looking for lower cost. no major red flags in the data. a public school with 17,514 students.
About This School
Old Dominion University is a public institution located in Norfolk, Virginia with approximately 17,514 undergraduate students enrolled. Old Dominion University has an open or accessible admissions process, with an acceptance rate of 90%. The average net price after financial aid is $14,638 per year. The graduation rate is 46%, and the typical graduate earns $48,700 within 10 years of enrollment.
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.
The numbers tell a mixed story here: at just $14,170/year after aid and $16,300 in median debt, the cost is genuinely manageable, and a 91% acceptance rate makes it accessible for a wide range of applicants. The concern worth flagging is the 44% graduation rate — fewer than half of students finish, which is a real signal to look into before committing, whether that reflects campus culture, financial pressures, or fit. Worth considering if you're drawn to a large research university in the Hampton Roads area and have a clear plan to stay on track, but come in with eyes open about that retention challenge.
Popular Programs
Percentage of degrees awarded. Source: College Scorecard.
Notable Alumni
Source: Wikidata. Used for context only.
Admissions
SAT Scores
ACT Scores
What This School Looks For
From the school's most recent Common Data Set (2024-25). What the admissions office actually weighs:
Early vs. Regular Decision
Cost & Financial Aid
Net Price by Family Income
Average annual cost after grants/scholarships, by household income. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
Financial Aid
Full Cost
After Graduation
Earnings 6 Years After Enrollment, by Gender
Gap: 18% less for female graduates. National avg ~16%.
Will This School Pay Off?
Solid return. Earnings outpace debt, though major choice matters.
Earnings data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. These are means across all graduates, not specific to any major.
Student Body
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (17,514 undergraduates).
In the Classroom & On Campus
Class size distribution
Source: Old Dominion University Common Data Set (2024-25).
Contact & Location
Official Links
Other Schools in Virginia
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Lynchburg, VA · Private nonprofit
Northern Virginia Community College
Annandale, VA · Public
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
Blacksburg, VA · Public
George Mason University
Fairfax, VA · Public
James Madison University
Harrisonburg, VA · Public
Virginia Commonwealth University
Richmond, VA · Public
Sources & Methodology
Primary data source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Accessed via automated sync. Latest values may come from different reporting years depending on the metric.
School overview from Wikipedia. Used for context only, not as a primary data source for admissions, cost, or outcomes claims.
- Earnings figures are institution-level averages, not major-specific.
- Some metrics are based on Title IV financial aid recipients only.
- Some values may be privacy-suppressed or rolled up by the Department of Education.
- Contact the school directly for current admissions requirements and costs.
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