Old Dominion University, also known as ODU, is a public university situated in Norfolk, Virginia. The university has a total enrollment of 24,176 students. Among these, 19,372 are undergraduate enrollments and 4,804 graduate enrollments. The university is home to 769 international students as well, coming from 89 countries.

It is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC). The average freshman retention rate at ODU is 80% for full-time students and 58% for part-time students. The average 6-year graduation rate of the university is 53%. Old Dominion University is named a “Best National University” in the U.S. News and World Report.

  • Old Dominion University offers admissions in both undergraduate and graduate levels of study.
  • It has a 17:1 student to faculty ratio and has over 901 faculties in the campus, out of which 546 are administrators and professional faculty.
  • It has four regional Higher Education Centers, and a dozen of other on-site learning locations throughout Arizona, Virginia, and the state of Washington.

Old Dominion University Rankings

Here are the rankings of Old Dominion University. As per the Times Higher Education (THE) Rankings:

Category Rank
University Ranking #801-1000
Business & Economics (postgraduate) #301-400
Engineering and Technology (postgraduate) #601-800
Computers (postgraduate) #301-400

Rankings according to the U.S. News and World Report are given below:

Category Rank
National Universities #258
Top Performers for Social Mobility #129
Top Public Schools #126
Best Undergraduate Engineering Programs #145
Business Course (undergraduate) #180
Civil Engineering (postgraduate) #127
Mechanical Engineering (postgraduate) #117
Computer (postgraduate) #119

Highlights

Type of University Public
Year of Establishment 1930
Campus Setting Urban
Acceptance Rate 86%
Graduation Rate 94%
Total Enrollment 24,176
Intake Seasons Fall, Winter, and Summer
Student-Faculty Ratio 17:1

Campus Facilities at Old Dominion University

Old Dominion University Campus

Old Dominion University's waterfront campus is located in Coastal Virginia. The main campus is located five miles away from Downtown Norfolk. The campus size is 335 acres and comprises 148 buildings. The campus setting is urban.

  • The campus is home to 300+ student organizations. 25% of the students are military-affiliated.
  • It also has 3 extended centers for Higher Education & Learning. The Old Dominion University Libraries has more than 3 million items.

Residence Facilities at Old Dominion University

Students are provided with 14 different housing options for living on-campus. ODU offers resident students with a variety of living options, from apartments to traditional-style residence halls. Every room is equipped with air conditioning, beds, dressers, heaters, cable TV, and wifi.

  • There are a total of 28 Fraternities and Sororities on-campus.
  • The Center for Social Mobility is the innovation hub.
  • The Off-Campus Student Life Office at ODU provides help and guidance, for students off-campus.
  • ODU's Housing application is accepted separately for each session Fall, Spring, and Summer.

Programs offered at Old Dominion University

Old Dominion University offers various programs. Nearly 150 programs run on-campus, out of which 91 are Bachelor's Degrees, 41 are Master's Degrees and 22 are Doctoral Degrees.

  • It provides 2 Educational Specialist Degrees also.
  • ODU through distance learning offers 100 programs through ODU Online.
  • $50.9 M was expanded in the research in 2017 and the university received $49 M research funding.
  • ODU comprises 8 academic colleges and one graduate school.
  • The most popular courses that students opt for at Old Dominion University are – Bachelor’s in Biological Sciences, Marketing, Finance, and Masters in Business Animation.
Programs Fees Per Annum
M.Sc Electrical and Computer Engineering $41,490
M.B.A $45,240
M.Sc Mechanical Engineering $41,490
Master of Public Administration $41,490
Master of Public Health $41,490

Old Dominion University Application Process

International students who want to seek admissions at Old Dominion University can follow the below-mentioned application process:

Application Portal: Common Application, both online and offline

Application Fee: 50 USD

Supporting Documents:

  • Completed Application Form,
  • Copy of Passport,
  • Interview (if required),
  • Letter of Recommendation,

Master's of Business Administration application fee is 75 USD. Processing of UG application requires 4-6 weeks and for graduate applications, it takes 8-10 weeks. Programs of study include over 70 UG and PG degrees, along with other certificate & licensure programs. Students in F-1 or J-1 visa status can only attend classes on the main Norfolk campus.

Application Deadlines:

Here are the application deadlines for international students applicable for both undergraduate and graduate programs:

Term Application Deadline
Fall (August) April 15
Spring (January) October 1
Summer (May) February 1

English Proficiency Test Score

International students who are non-native English speakers need to submit proof of English Proficiency so as to seek admissions at the university.

Exam Minimum Required Score
TOEFL IBT 79
TOEFL Paper-Based 550
GRE (verbal reasoning) 150
GRE (verbal) 480
IELTS 6.5 overall
SAT (critical reading) 480
SAT (reading test) 26
CPE C or higher
GCSE or GCE "O" level passes in English
PTE Academic Test 53

Old Dominion University Cost of Attendance 

The estimated cost of attendance for international students to study in the university is mentioned below:

Budget Item Undergraduate Graduate
Tuition 31,700 USD 25,600 USD
Room and Board 6,500 USD 6,500 USD
Student Body Fee 246 USD 492 USD
Books and Personal 4,700 USD 4,700 USD
Full-access meal plan 5,026 USD per semester 5,026 USD per semester
Health Insurance Plan 2,200 USD 2,200 USD

Scholarships and Financial Aid for International Students

Students in F-1 status are allowed to work on-campus 20 hours per week during school, and 40 hours while not in session. The Office of Student Financial Aid at ODU provides support to students seeking educational program financial assistance and scholarships to study in the USA.

  • The Old Dominion University financial aid programs are funded by the federal, state government and also by the University, and private sources.
  • Various grants, federal work-study programs, merit, and need-based scholarships are offered to international students at ODU.
  • Various loan programs such as Federal Direct Subsidized loans, Federal Direct PLUS Loan, and the William D. Ford Federal Direct and Unsubsidized Loan are also provided.
  • Children of Fallen Heroes Scholarship is provided to a Pell-eligible student and has less than 24 years of age.
  • The Virginia Student Financial Assistance Program is based on financial need and is provided to Virginia resident students. 
  • All entering freshmen and transfer students are eligible for merit-based scholarships.
  • The Alumni Association Outstanding Scholar Fellowships is awarded to two graduate students based on good academic standing.
  • The Friends of Women’s Studies Scholarship is provided for students majoring in women’s studies. 

Old Dominion University Alumni Network

A few notable alumni: 

  • Ben Bailey: Comedian,
  • Kent Bazemore: NBA Player
  • Bootie Barker: NASCAR crew chief
  • Michael Bloomfield: Space Shuttle and ISS Astronaut

The university has over 124,000 alumni across all the 67 counties of the world and 50 states. The Old Dominion University Alumni Association of ODU campus works to reconnect alumni with present students. ODU Alumni Association organizes many events, football games, homecoming, and other seminars. Old Dominion University provides an advantage to its alumni under its alumni advantage program and students with its recruiting advantage program.

Old Dominion University Placements

For a graduate student of the Old Dominion University, the Median Earnings 6 Years After Graduation are nearly $43,700/ year. The university has a Graduation Rate of 54%. 49% of the students get Employed 2 Years After Graduation. 94% of graduates get employed as soon as six months after graduation. Curricular Practical Training and Optional Practical Training internship opportunities are also provided for students.

A list of salaries offered to alumni of Old Dominion University as per different courses are given below:

Degree Salary (in USD)
Bachelor of Science 75,000
Master of Science 70,000

FAQs

Ques. How much is the tuition for Old Dominion University?

Ans. The tuition for undergraduates at Old Dominion University is 31,700 USD and for graduates is 25,600 USD.

Ques.What GPA is required for admission to Old Dominion University?

Ans. An average high school GPA of 3.3 or above is recommended for admission to Old Dominion University.

Ques.Are SAT/ ACT scores required for admission to Old Dominion University?

Ans. SAT or ACT scores are optional for admission to Old Dominion University however, it is highly recommended.

Ques.How much is the application fee for Old Dominion University?

Ans. The non-refundable application fee of 50 USD is required of all applicants. The application fee for the MBA course is 75 USD.

Ques.How long is the entire application process?

Ans. Processing a complete undergraduate application requires 4-6 weeks; complete graduate applications take 8-10 weeks.

Ques.Is Old Dominion University Division I?

Ans. Yes.Old Dominion University has 18 varsity sports out of which 16 are a part of NCAA Division I.

Ques.Where do I send my application and correspondence?

Ans. Old Dominion University Office of International Admissions 2101 Dragas Hall Norfolk, Virginia, 23529 USA

Ques. Is my degree equivalent to a U.S. bachelor's degree?

Ans. Generally, a 3-year bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution is required for a Master’s program.

Ques.Does Old Dominion University accept credential evaluations from agencies?

Ans. All academic credentials must be sealed, stamped/attested by a school official (Registrar, Principal, or Controller of Exams), and sent directly from the institution.

Ques.Can international students receive transfer credit?

Ans. The Office of International Admissions awards general education and elective undergraduate course credit from classes taken at accredited post-secondary institutions.