Where is Old Dominion University?

If you’re searching for “where is Old Dominion University?”plus details on acceptance rate, admissions, degree options, costs, football, mascot, notable alumni, division, and the student portal—this guide gives you everything in one place. We also include dofollow links to authoritative sources so you can verify figures and take next steps quickly.

Where Is Old Dominion University?

Old Dominion University (ODU) is a public research university located in the coastal city of Norfolk, Virginia, USA, in the Hampton Roads metro. The campus sits along the Elizabeth and Lafayette Rivers, roughly five miles north of downtown Norfolk, giving students proximity to a bustling port economy, naval installations, beaches, and a growing tech and health ecosystem.

Official Address & Contact

Physical Address: 5115 Hampton Boulevard, Norfolk, VA 23529, United States

Mailing Address: 1 Old Dominion University, Norfolk, VA 23529, United States

Source:
ODU Homepage ·
ODU Contact Page

The region’s mix of maritime, defense, healthcare, and logistics industries has shaped ODU’s academic strengths in cybersecurity, modeling and simulation, supply chain and maritime operations, engineering, nursing, and business. The urban–suburban fabric around campus also means access to internships, part-time work, professional networks, and weekend recreation.

ODU Acceptance Rate (Latest Reported)

Old Dominion University is generally considered moderately selective. Recent compiled figures place ODU’s acceptance rate around ~90–91%. For example, a longitudinal analysis shows a 2024 acceptance rate of 90.52%, consistent with ODU’s access-focused mission and recruitment strategy.

~90–91% Acceptance Rate

13:1 Student–Faculty Ratio

48% Graduation Rate (recent BigFuture listing)

Sources:
CollegeTuitionCompare (trend & 2024 rate),
BigFuture (Academics).

Degrees, Colleges & Academic Strengths

ODU is an R1: Doctoral University (Very High Research Activity) that offers a comprehensive catalog of undergraduate, graduate, and professional programs. Students can choose among robust pathways in engineering, cybersecurity, business, education, health sciences (including a growing biomedical footprint), arts & letters, sciences, data science, maritime/supply chain, and more.

Colleges & Select Schools

Strome College of Business
Batten College of Engineering & Technology
Darden College of Education & Professional Studies
College of Sciences
College of Arts & Letters
Perry Honors College
School of Cybersecurity
School of Data Science
School of Supply Chain, Logistics & Maritime Operations

Explore programs at the official ODU site.

Signature & Popular Areas

Cybersecurity, Modeling & Simulation
Mechanical, Civil, Electrical & Computer Engineering
Business Analytics, Accounting, Supply Chain
Nursing & Allied Health
Criminology, Psychology, Liberal Arts
Data Science & AI-adjacent fields
Maritime/Port Logistics & Coastal Studies

Snapshot of majors and metrics:
BigFuture.

ODU’s variety of undergraduate majors and graduate degrees pairs well with large-scale regional employers (defense, shipbuilding, logistics, healthcare, fintech, public sector). The university’s research momentum and industry alignment position students for internships and applied projects that translate directly to career opportunities.

Admissions: How to Apply to ODU

ODU runs a student-friendly, rolling admissions process for many programs, with opportunities for early action and program-specific timelines at the graduate level. Freshmen, transfer, online, military-affiliated, and international applicants will find clear pathways with checklists, document requirements, and application guidance through the official admissions pages.

Undergraduate Highlights

Holistic review with emphasis on coursework rigor and GPA.
Test-optional flexibility may apply; verify current policy year.
Rolling decisions, with priority deadlines for scholarships/housing.
Pathways for transfers and community college partnerships.

Start here: ODU Undergraduate Admissions.

Graduate & International

Program-specific requirements (e.g., resumes, statements, tests).
Credential evaluation and financial documentation for I-20 (F-1).
Assistantships and funding vary by department.

See: ODU Graduate Admissions ·
International Admissions.

Tip: Keep an eye on scholarship priority dates and housing deposits, especially if you’re aiming for competitive programs or on-campus living. High school seniors should also review honors options via the Perry Honors College.

Cost of Attendance: Tuition, Fees & Net Price

ODU publishes per-credit-hour tuition rates and a detailed fee structure. For the most accurate budgeting, use the university’s official calculator and review the current tuition page before each academic year.

Category	Illustrative Figure	Notes
Undergraduate (In-State) — per credit	$268	Plus selected mandatory fees per ODU schedule
Graduate (In-State) — per credit	$486	Comprehensive fee listed separately by ODU
Graduate (Out-of-State) — per credit	$1,334.50	Rate varies by modality and domicile
Active-Duty Military (Undergrad) — per credit	$250	Eligible active-duty undergraduate students

Sources:
ODU Current Tuition Rates ·
ODU Tuition & College Cost Estimator.

Your total annual cost will depend on residency (Virginia vs. out-of-state), number of credits, program-specific fees, housing/meal plan selections, books, and personal expenses. In addition to institutional aid and scholarships, many ODU students leverage federal aid, state grants, work-study, and external scholarships.

Football & Athletics: Division, Conference, Stadium & Spirit

ODU’s teams compete as the Old Dominion Monarchs. The university is an NCAA Division I member, with football competing in the FBS. Since 2022, ODU has competed in the Sun Belt Conference, a league that has rapidly grown in national attention across several sports.

Quick Athletic Facts

Division: NCAA Division I (FBS in football)
Conference: Sun Belt Conference
Football venue: S.B. Ballard Stadium
Nickname: Monarchs
Mascot: Big Blue (lion)

Learn more: ODU Football ·
Monarchs Football (overview).

Tradition & Highlights

Women’s basketball legacy with national titles and deep NCAA runs.
Field hockey and sailing with historically strong records.
Growing Sun Belt rivalries energize game days and student life.

Conference info: ODU Athletics.

Game days at “The Ballard” are a signature part of the student experience, bringing together alumni, military families, local fans, and the broader Hampton Roads community. Expect tailgating, student section traditions, and plenty of Monarch blue.

Mascot: Meet Big Blue

ODU’s beloved mascot is Big Blue—an anthropomorphic lion wearing a crown, jersey number 00, and an ever-present grin. Big Blue shows up at athletic events, campus celebrations, and community fundraisers, rallying Monarch pride across generations.

Student Portal: myODU

ODU’s primary portal is myODU—your launchpad for email, Canvas, academic records, registration, tuition bills, aid documents, and campus tools. Sign in with your MIDAS ID and password, and you’ll find quick links to class schedules, resources, and support.

How to sign in and what’s inside: myODU Portal Overview.

Canvas
Email
Registration
Billing
Financial Aid

Notable Alumni

ODU’s alumni community is broad and active across all 50 states and dozens of countries. Graduates have excelled in public service, the armed forces, engineering, business leadership, media, arts, and athletics. A few publicly referenced names include:

Tony Brothers – Longtime NBA referee and community donor.
Michael J. Bloomfield – NASA astronaut (alumnus listed among ODU alumni).
Tom DiCillo – Film director and screenwriter.
Ron Capps – Noted author/journalist and former U.S. Army officer.
Paula Coughlin – Navy veteran and advocate.

See expanded lists:
List of ODU Alumni ·
ODU Alumni Category.

“Bad Things” & Common Criticisms (Balanced View)

No university is perfect. While thousands of Monarchs thrive at ODU, prospective students often research drawbacks to make informed decisions. Here’s a balanced snapshot of recurring critiques, plus context:

Graduation Rate

Recent listings show a graduation rate around ~48%. That’s lower than some peers and is a target for improvement via advising, financial support, and student success initiatives. ODU’s high social mobility ranking suggests the university is serving many first-generation and working students, for whom part-time enrollment, transfers, and economic headwinds can lengthen degree timelines.

Reference: BigFuture — Academics.

Campus Safety Perception

As an urban campus, ODU invests in safety infrastructure and partnerships, but perceptions vary by neighborhood and time of day. Prospective students should review official Clery reports, campus police updates, and recent safety enhancements, and also tour the campus to gauge personal comfort.

Start with official sources and visit in person; ask about escorts, lighting, blue-light phones, and transportation programs.

Brand Prestige vs. Flagship Peers

ODU’s brand is strong regionally and rising nationally, but it may not carry the same prestige halo as older Virginia flagships. That said, employers in Hampton Roads and across Virginia know ODU talent well—particularly in engineering, cybersecurity, logistics, and health-related fields—so outcomes tend to reflect program-level reputation and internship experience more than broad “prestige.”

Bottom line: examine your major, department outcomes, and internship pipelines. Meet faculty, talk to current students, and explore career services. Many of the above “cons” can be offset by choosing the right program, planning finances, and engaging early with campus resources.

University & Athletic Division

Academically, ODU is classified as R1: Very High Research Activity—the top tier in the Carnegie Classification for research universities. Athletically, the Monarchs compete in NCAA Division I, with football in the FBS level and primary conference membership in the Sun Belt Conference.

Learn more: ODU Athletics ·
Football Overview.

Full Campus Address & Directions

Use the physical address below for travel and mapping apps. If you’re mailing documents or packages, confirm whether the mailing address or a department-specific address is required.

Physical: 5115 Hampton Boulevard, Norfolk, VA 23529

Mailing: 1 Old Dominion University, Norfolk, VA 23529

Source: ODU Contact Page

Why Choose ODU? Five Quick Wins

Location Advantage: Access to maritime, defense, healthcare, and logistics industries.
Program Breadth: From cybersecurity and engineering to nursing and business.
Research Momentum: R1 designation fuels faculty grants, labs, and grad opportunities.
Affordability Options: Transparent per-credit rates and extensive aid resources.
Division I Experience: Sun Belt competition, strong women’s sports tradition, spirited game days.

FAQs

Is ODU a white school?

No—ODU is recognized for its diversity and social mobility. The university highlights its broad representation across demographics, including first-generation and military-affiliated students. It has earned strong marks for social mobility, and its community reflects the diversity of Hampton Roads and the Commonwealth.

See: ODU Facts & Figures.

Is ODU a Division 1 school?

Yes. ODU competes in NCAA Division I. Football is at the FBS level, and the university is a member of the Sun Belt Conference.

Learn more: ODU Athletics.

What major is ODU known for?

While there isn’t a single “most famous” major, ODU is particularly noted for engineering, cybersecurity, modeling & simulation, nursing/health sciences, business (including supply chain), and popular social science programs like psychology and criminology. Demand and reputation vary by department; review current curricula and outcomes before choosing.

Explore majors: BigFuture — Academics · ODU Programs.

Which state is the Old Dominion?

“Old Dominion” is a historic nickname for the Commonwealth of Virginia. Old Dominion University is therefore located in Norfolk, Virginia.

Learn about ODU: ODU Homepage.