Old Dominion University: A Parent's Guide to Admissions, Cost & Outcomes
Norfolk, Virginia · Public · Open access · CDS 2025-2026
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Old Dominion University is a public university in Norfolk, Virginia that admits about 91% of applicants, making it a open access school. The average family pays about $14,638 a year after financial aid, which matters more than the published sticker price. It is best known for Psychology, General, Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing and Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other, its largest undergraduate programs by number of graduates. About 43% of students graduate within six years. Its most recent Clery Act report shows roughly 3.8 criminal offenses per 1,000 students.
Old Dominion University is a public institution located in Norfolk, Virginia. For the most recent reporting cycle, Old Dominion University admits the majority of qualified applicants, with an overall admission rate of 91%. Admitted students typically post a median SAT of 1190 and an ACT composite around 24. The average net price after grants and scholarships is $14,638 per year, which is the figure most families actually pay rather than the published sticker price.
What GPA does my child need for Old Dominion University?
62% of enrolled students at Old Dominion University had a high school GPA of 3.25 or above, and the average was 3.43, according to its 2025-2026 Common Data Set.
What does Old Dominion University weight in admissions?
Old Dominion University reports these factor weights in its Common Data Set (2025-2026). What the weights mean
- • Rigor of secondary school record
- • Academic GPA
- • Recommendations
- • Extracurricular activities
- • Volunteer work
- • Work experience
SAT and ACT scores Old Dominion University typically admits
The middle-50 SAT Math range is 530–630, with an EBRW midpoint near 570. The middle-50 ACT composite range is 24–29. Many applicants here submit scores; even slightly below the average can be competitive when combined with a strong GPA and curriculum.
| 25th percentile | 1120 |
| 50th percentile | 1190 |
| 75th percentile | 1270 |
| % submitting SAT | 7% |
| 25th percentile | 22 |
| 50th percentile | 25 |
| 75th percentile | 27 |
| % submitting ACT | 1% |
- • Test-optional: Standardized test scores are not required, but may be submitted and considered.
- • Policy detail: Required for some
Where admitted students ranked in their high school class
Class rank distribution gives parents a clear sense of how academically dominant a typical admitted student was within their own high school cohort — often a more meaningful signal than absolute GPA.
| Top 10% of class | 12% |
| Top 25% of class | 35% |
| Top 50% of class | 71% |
| % submitting class rank | 75% |
How much does Old Dominion University actually cost?
Published tuition is $12,750 for in-state students and $33,780 for out-of-state, before grants and scholarships. Room and board adds roughly $14,878 annually. After need-based and merit aid, the average family pays a net price of $14,638 per year — the number that actually matters for budgeting. Roughly 37% of students receive Pell Grants.
| In-state tuition | $8,040 |
| Out-of-state tuition | $28,605 |
| Room and board | $15,720 |
| Average net price (after aid) | $14,638 |
| Application fee | — (waivers available) |
Application deadlines and early decision data for Old Dominion University
| Regular deadline | 2/1 |
| Notification date | Rolling, beginning 10/15 |
| Reply deadline | May 1 or within 4 weeks if notified thereafter |
| Rolling admissions | Yes |
| Offers Early Action | Yes |
| EA deadline | December 1 |
Will my child graduate from Old Dominion University?
These predict outcomes at Old Dominion University better than its acceptance rate does. How to read retention and graduation rates
Most popular majors at Old Dominion University
The most popular undergraduate programs at Old Dominion University, measured by the number of students who actually graduate each year, are Psychology, General, Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing and Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other. Across all programs, Old Dominion University confers roughly 1,710 bachelor's degrees a year. Graduates of its Psychology, General program report a median income of about $50,828 five years after entering college. What these figures mean
| Major | Graduates / year | Median earnings (5 yrs out) |
|---|---|---|
| Psychology, General | 316 | $50,828 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | 222 | $83,865 |
| Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other | 218 | $49,302 |
| Criminology | 213 | $51,760 |
| Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies | 210 | $53,896 |
| Biology, General | 196 | $53,794 |
| Mental and Social Health Services and Allied Professions | 175 | $45,128 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas | 160 | $50,910 |
Is Old Dominion University safe? Campus crime & safety
In its most recent Clery Act report (2024), Old Dominion University disclosed 66 total criminal offenses across its campus and surrounding public property, about 3.8 per 1,000 students. That figure includes 18 violent offenses and 23 reported sexual assaults or VAWA offenses. Why per-1,000 rates, not counts
What is campus life like at Old Dominion University?
About 24% of undergraduates at Old Dominion University live in campus housing, so a meaningful share of students commute or live off campus. In Greek life, 5% of men join a fraternity and 5% of women join a sorority. Residential rate and Greek participation shape day-to-day social life and are worth weighing alongside academics and cost.
Other colleges in Virginia parents ask about
- George Mason University87% acceptance
- Virginia Commonwealth University93% acceptance
- Washington and Lee University14% acceptance
- University of Richmond22% acceptance
- Liberty University99% acceptance
- Longwood University90% acceptance
- Radford University90% acceptance
- University of Virginia-Main Campus17% acceptance
Next steps for Old Dominion University
Common questions parents ask about Old Dominion University
What GPA do I need for Old Dominion University?
62% of enrolled students at Old Dominion University had a high school GPA of 3.25 or above, and the average was 3.43, according to its 2025-2026 Common Data Set.
What SAT or ACT score does Old Dominion University typically admit?
The middle-50 SAT Math range is 530–630, with an EBRW midpoint near 570. The middle-50 ACT composite range is 24–29.
How much does Old Dominion University actually cost after financial aid?
The average net price at Old Dominion University after grants and scholarships is $14,638 per year, against a published in-state tuition of $12,750 and $33,780 out of state. Budget against the net figure.
Is Old Dominion University realistic for my child?
Old Dominion University admits 91% of applicants, so 530–630 SAT Math is target range and below 530 is a reach. Then check the $14,638 average net price against what your family can carry.
What is the acceptance rate at Old Dominion University?
Old Dominion University accepts about 91% of applicants out of roughly 15,024 who apply each year. It admits the majority of qualified applicants.
Is Old Dominion University test-optional?
Yes. Old Dominion University is test-optional, so SAT and ACT scores are not required, but strong scores can still be submitted and will be considered.
What is the graduation rate at Old Dominion University?
About 43% of students at Old Dominion University graduate within six years. 79% of freshmen return for sophomore year. Graduation rate predicts real outcomes better than acceptance rate.
What does Old Dominion University look for in applicants?
Old Dominion University rates course rigor and GPA as "very important" in its Common Data Set. These are the factors the admissions committee weighs most heavily when reviewing an application.
Is Old Dominion University a public or private school, and where is it located?
Old Dominion University is a public institution located in Norfolk, Virginia.
What are the most popular majors at Old Dominion University?
The largest undergraduate majors at Old Dominion University by annual graduates are Psychology, General, Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing and Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other. The school awards about 1,710 bachelor's degrees a year in total. These figures come from federal IPEDS completion data.
Is Old Dominion University safe? What is its campus crime rate?
Old Dominion University reported 66 total criminal offenses in its most recent Clery Act disclosure (2024), roughly 3.8 per 1,000 students. Compare the per-1,000 rate rather than the raw total, since larger schools report more incidents.
What is campus life like at Old Dominion University?
At Old Dominion University, 24% of undergraduates live on campus, 5% of men are in fraternities, 5% of women are in sororities, according to its most recent Common Data Set.
Sources: the 2025-2026 Common Data Set submitted by Old Dominion University, the College Scorecard and IPEDS, and Clery Act disclosures. What each source covers