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Old Dominion University
Old Dominion University admits nearly everyone — 90.4% of applicants. A feature, not a flaw: the page below asks whether Old Dominion University is worth attending, not whether you'll get in.
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Old Dominion University sits in Norfolk proper — a public campus woven into the city rather than walled off from it.
Its highest-earning path is Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering, where graduates median $96,427 four years out. Faculty pay averages $126,996 a year here — a rough proxy for what the school spends on the teaching itself. With 17,514 undergraduates and a residential core, weekends happen on campus — and 76.9% of first-years come back for a second year.
Submitters admitted here typically landed between 1110 and 1290 — above the VA middle for four-year schools. Put your own practice estimate on Old Dominion University's range with the SAT calculator, or bring a saved GPA from the grade tools.
Admissions
Old Dominion University requires SAT or ACT scores from all applicants — the middle 50% ranges below describe Old Dominion University's full admitted class, not a self-selected subset.
| Score | 25th | 50th | 75th |
|---|---|---|---|
| SAT Reading & Writing | 570 | 610 | 660 |
| SAT Math | 540 | 580 | 630 |
| ACT Composite | 22 | 24 | 27 |
Percentiles are among students who submitted scores (Fall 2023 admissions cycle).
In the Fall 2023 cycle, Old Dominion University received 15,216 applications and admitted 13,773 (90.5%), with 2,717 enrolling.
How Old Dominion University compares
| Old Dominion University | Virginia median | National median | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Acceptance rate | 90.4% | 83.1% | 77.2% |
| Tuition (in-state) | $12,750 | $21,650 | $19,591 |
| Median earnings (10 yr) | $54,914 | $53,453 | $53,781 |
Ten years after enrolling, the median Old Dominion University student earns $54,914 — 3% above the Virginia median of $53,453 for college-goers.
Cost, size & completion
As a public university, Old Dominion University prices by residency: $12,750 in-state versus $33,780 out-of-state — a $21,030 gap that makes state lines part of the decision.
17,514 undergraduates make Old Dominion University a large campus: broad course catalogs and big intro lectures come as a package.
46.3% graduate within six years. Roughly 54% don't — ask a Old Dominion University tour guide what happens to them and watch the answer carefully.
Top majors by earnings at Old Dominion University
| Bachelor's program | Median earnings, 4 yrs after completion |
|---|---|
| Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering | $96,427 |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General | $95,485 |
| Computer Engineering | $94,542 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $90,917 |
| Mechanical Engineering | $87,772 |
| Civil Engineering | $82,703 |
| Engineering/Engineering-Related Technologies/Technicians, Other | $81,077 |
| Management Information Systems and Services | $74,465 |
| Accounting and Related Services | $73,157 |
| Business/Managerial Economics | $71,406 |
| Dental Support Services and Allied Professions | $69,732 |
| Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions | $68,943 |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | $67,320 |
| Mathematics | $66,847 |
| Health Professions and Related Clinical Sciences, Other | $63,027 |
| Marketing | $61,550 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $61,442 |
| Political Science and Government | $59,939 |
| History | $56,715 |
| Criminology | $56,659 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas | $56,564 |
| Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences | $56,255 |
| Communication Disorders Sciences and Services | $56,039 |
| Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other | $55,889 |
| Biology, General | $55,304 |
| International Relations and National Security Studies | $54,505 |
| Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies | $54,390 |
| Sociology | $53,734 |
| Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness | $52,482 |
| Music | $52,028 |
| Psychology, General | $51,907 |
| Parks, Recreation, and Leisure Facilities Management | $51,233 |
| English Language and Literature, General | $49,024 |
| Geography and Cartography | $48,280 |
| Mental and Social Health Services and Allied Professions | $47,604 |
| Fine and Studio Arts | $46,308 |
| Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft | $38,537 |
Median earnings for these 37 Old Dominion University programs come from a different federal cohort than the campus-wide $54,914 above — compare rows to each other, not to that 10-year figure. 15 additional Old Dominion University programs have earnings withheld under federal privacy rules.
Frequently asked questions
What GPA and test scores do you need for Old Dominion University?
Among the admitted class, the middle 50% scored 1110–1290 on the SAT. There's no published GPA cutoff — pair these ranges with the 90.4% admission rate to judge your odds.
What is Old Dominion University's acceptance rate?
90.5% in the Fall 2023 cycle — 13,773 admitted from 15,216 applicants.
How much does Old Dominion University cost?
In-state tuition is $12,750; out-of-state students pay $33,780. Fees, housing and aid move the real total in both directions.
What do Old Dominion University graduates earn?
Federal data puts median earnings at $54,914 ten years after enrolling. The table above breaks this down by major.
Similar colleges in Virginia
- Norfolk State University — 87.8% admitted
- Marymount University — 93.2% admitted
- Radford University — 89.5% admitted
- Randolph-Macon College — 86.6% admitted
Run your own numbers
Data: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard (Jun 2026), IPEDS ADM2023/HD2024. Retrieved 2026-09-01. Figures reflect the latest federal cohorts, which lag the current admissions cycle.