Getting in
For Fall 2025, 15,024 first-year students applied to ODU, 13,725 were admitted and 2,697 enrolled: an acceptance rate of 91.4%.
Source: ODU Common Data Set 2025-2026 (opens in a new tab), section C1. Read Oct 1, 2026.
By residency, first-year applicants, Fall 2025
| Applicants | Applied | Admitted | Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| In-state | 11,577 | 10,701 | 92.4% |
| Out-of-state | 3,236 | 2,820 | 87.1% |
| International | 211 | 204 | 96.7% |
Source: ODU Common Data Set 2025-2026 (opens in a new tab), section C1, residency table. Read Oct 1, 2026.
By school or major. ODU's Common Data Set reports one first-year acceptance rate for the whole university, with no rate by college or major.
Source: ODU Common Data Set 2025-2026 (opens in a new tab). Read Oct 1, 2026.
Early action. ODU has early action, which is not binding, and no early decision. The Common Data Set gives no early action counts.
Source: ODU Common Data Set 2025-2026 (opens in a new tab), sections C21 and C22. Read Oct 1, 2026.
Programs with extra requirements
For students applying in fall 2026, entering fall 2027
Admission to ODU does not guarantee admission to a specific degree program. These programs need a second application once you are admitted to the university:
- Cytotechnology. Separate application after admission to ODU.
- Dental Hygiene. Separate application after admission to ODU.
- Environmental Health. Separate application after admission to ODU.
- Medical Technology. Separate application after admission to ODU.
- Nuclear Medicine Technology. Separate application after admission to ODU.
- Nursing. Separate application after admission to ODU.
- Ophthalmic Technology. Separate application after admission to ODU.
Source: ODU Undergraduate Admissions, Freshman Applicants (opens in a new tab). Read Oct 1, 2026.
Majors
181 majors across 10 schools. Every bachelor's program in ODU's official 2026-2027 Catalog, by college or school. Minors, certificates and graduate programs are left out.
College of Arts and Letters82
- Art with a Major in Art History (BA)
- Art with a Major in Visual Studies (BA)
- Communication Studies (BA)
- Communication Studies (BS)
- Communication with a Major in Cinema and TV Production (BA)
- Communication with a Major in Cinema and TV Production (BS)
- Communication with a Major in Cinema Screenwriting and Studies (BA)
- Communication with a Major in Cinema Screenwriting and Studies (BS)
- Communication with a Major in Media Studies (BA)
- Communication with a Major in Media Studies (BS)
- Communication with a Major in Organizational and Interpersonal Communication (BA)
- Communication with a Major in Organizational and Interpersonal Communication (BS)
- Communication with a Major in Professional Communication (BS)
- Communication with a Major in Strategic Communication and Journalism (BA)
- Communication with a Major in Strategic Communication and Journalism (BS)
- Criminal Justice (BA)
- Criminal Justice (BS)
- Criminal Justice with a Major in Cybercriminology (BS)
- English with a Major in Applied Linguistics (BA)
- English with a Major in Creative Writing (BA)
- English with a Major in Literature (BA)
- English with a Major in Secondary English Education (6-12) (BA)
- English with a Major in Technical and Professional Writing (BA)
- Fine Arts with a Major in 3D Media and Material Studies (BFA)
- Fine Arts with a Major in Art Education for Museums and Cultural Institutions (BFA)
- Fine Arts with a Major in Graphic Design (BFA)
- Fine Arts with a Major in Painting and Drawing (BFA)
- Fine Arts with a Major in Photography and Print Media (BFA)
- Fine Arts with a Major in PreK-12 Art Education (BFA)
- Geography (BA)
- Geography (BS)
- Geography with a Major in Environment and Resources (BA)
- Geography with a Major in Environment and Resources (BS)
- Geography with a Major in Geographic Information Systems (BS)
- Geography with a Major in Urban Planning and Emergency/Hazards Management (BA)
- Geography with a Major in Urban Planning and Emergency/Hazards Management (BS)
- History (BA)
- History with a Major in Secondary History/Social Sciences Education (6-12) (BA)
- Interdisciplinary Studies with a Major in Asian Studies (BA)
- Interdisciplinary Studies with a Major in Game Studies and Design-Design and Criticism (BS)
- Interdisciplinary Studies with a Major in Game Studies and Design-Development and Criticism (BS)
- Interdisciplinary Studies with a Major in General Studies (BS)
- Interdisciplinary Studies with a Major in Leadership (BS)
- Interdisciplinary Studies with a Major in Professional Writing (BS)
- Interdisciplinary Studies with a Major in Supply Chain and Maritime Logistics (BS)
- Interdisciplinary Studies with a Major in Women's and Gender Studies (BA)
- Interdisciplinary Studies with a Major in Women's and Gender Studies (BS)
- International Studies (BA)
- Music (BA)
- Music with a Major in Composition (BM)
- Music with a Major in Jazz Studies (BM)
- Music with a Major in Performance-Orchestral Instruments (BM)
- Music with a Major in PreK-12 Music Education-Instrumental (BM)
- Music with a Major in PreK-12 Music Education-Voice (BM)
- Music with an Emphasis in Sound Recording Technology (BM)
- Philosophy (BA)
- Philosophy with a Major in Political and Legal Studies (BA)
- Philosophy with a Major in Religious Studies (BA)
- Political Science (BA)
- Political Science (BS)
- Political Science with a Major in Analytics, Institutions, and Public Policy (BS)
- Political Science with a Major in International Affairs and Global Politics (BA)
- Political Science with a Major in International Affairs and Global Politics (BS)
- Sociology (BA)
- Sociology (BS)
- Sociology with a Major in Social Welfare (BA)
- Sociology with a Major in Social Welfare (BS)
- Theatre and Dance with a Major in Cinema Production (BA)
- Theatre and Dance with a Major in Dance (BA)
- Theatre and Dance with a Major in Design Technology (BA)
- Theatre and Dance with a Major in Performance (BA)
- Theatre and Dance with a Major in PreK-12 Dance Education (BA)
- Theatre and Dance with a Major in PreK-12 Theatre Education (BA)
- Theatre and Dance with a Major in Theatre (BA)
- World Languages and Cultures with a Major in French (BA)
- World Languages and Cultures with a Major in German (BA)
- World Languages and Cultures with a Major in Japanese (BA)
- World Languages and Cultures with a Major in PreK-12 French Education (BA)
- World Languages and Cultures with a Major in PreK-12 German Education (BA)
- World Languages and Cultures with a Major in PreK-12 Spanish Education (BA)
- World Languages and Cultures with a Major in Spanish (BA)
- World Languages and Cultures with a Major in World Cultural Studies (BA)
Source: ODU Catalog 2026-2027, College of Arts and Letters (opens in a new tab). Read Oct 1, 2026.
Strome College of Business19
- Accounting (BSBA)
- Economics (BSBA)
- Financial Management with a Major in Finance (BSBA)
- Financial Management with a Major in Personal Financial Planning (BSBA)
- Financial Management with a Major in Real Estate (BSBA)
- Financial Management with a Major in Risk Management and Insurance (BSBA)
- Information Systems and Technology (BSBA)
- Information Systems and Technology with a Major in Business Analytics (BSBA)
- Information Systems and Technology with a Major in Business Analytics and Intelligence (BSBA)
- Information Systems and Technology with a Major in Database (BSBA)
- Information Systems and Technology with a Major in Network Engineering (BSBA)
- Management (BSBA)
- Management with a Major in Entrepreneurship (BSBA)
- Management with a Major in Human Resource Management (BSBA)
- Management with a Major in International Business (BSBA)
- Marketing (BSBA)
- Marketing Management with a Major in Marketing Insights and Innovation (BSBA)
- Marketing with a Major in Digital Marketing (BSBA)
- Marketing with a Major in Professional Sales (BSBA)
Source: ODU Catalog 2026-2027, Strome College of Business (opens in a new tab). Read Oct 1, 2026.
Darden College of Education and Professional Studies15
- Career and Technical Education with a Major in Marketing Education (BS)
- Career and Technical Education with a Major in Technology Education (BS)
- Elementary Education (BS)
- Human Services (BS)
- Occupational and Technical Studies with a Major in Fashion Merchandising (BS)
- Occupational and Technical Studies with a Major in Industrial Technology (BS)
- Occupational and Technical Studies with a Major in Training Specialist (BS)
- Park, Recreation and Tourism Studies with a Major in Park and Recreation Management (BS)
- Park, Recreation and Tourism Studies with a Major in Tourism and Hospitality Management (BS)
- Physical Education with a Major in Coaching and Physical Activity Leadership (BS)
- Physical Education with a Major in PreK-12 Health and Physical Education (BS)
- Special Education with a Major in Early Intervention/Early Childhood Special Education (Birth-5) (BS)
- Special Education with a Major in Special Education Adapted Curriculum K-12 (BS)
- Special Education with a Major in Special Education General Curriculum K-12 (BS)
- Sport Management (BS)
Source: ODU Catalog 2026-2027, Darden College of Education and Professional Studies (opens in a new tab). Read Oct 1, 2026.
Frank Batten College of Engineering and Technology9
- Civil Engineering (BSCE)
- Computer Engineering (BSCE)
- Computer Engineering with a Major in Modeling and Simulation Engineering (BSCE)
- Electrical Engineering (BSEE)
- Engineering Technology with a Major in Civil Engineering Technology (BSET)
- Engineering Technology with a Major in Electrical Engineering Technology (BSET)
- Engineering Technology with a Major in Manufacturing Engineering Technology (BSET)
- Engineering Technology with a Major in Mechanical Engineering Technology (BSET)
- Mechanical Engineering (BSME)
Source: ODU Catalog 2026-2027, Frank Batten College of Engineering and Technology (opens in a new tab). Read Oct 1, 2026.
Ellmer College of Health Sciences9
- Dental Hygiene (BSDH)
- Dental Hygiene with a Major in Dental Hygiene Post-Licensure (BSDH)
- Exercise Science (BS)
- Health Sciences with a Major in Pre-Clinical Studies (BSHS)
- Health Sciences with a Major in Recreational Therapy (BSHS)
- Medical Laboratory Science (BSMLS)
- Medical Laboratory Science with a Major in Medical Laboratory Science Degree Completion (BSMLS)
- Nuclear Medicine Technology (BSNMT)
- Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology (BS)
Source: ODU Catalog 2026-2027, Ellmer College of Health Sciences (opens in a new tab). Read Oct 1, 2026.
Ellmer School of Nursing3
- Nursing with a Major in Nursing Concurrent (BSN)
- Nursing with a Major in Nursing Post-Licensure (BSN)
- Nursing with a Major in Nursing Pre-Licensure (BSN)
Source: ODU Catalog 2026-2027, Ellmer School of Nursing (opens in a new tab). Read Oct 1, 2026.
Joint School of Public Health4
- Environmental Health (BS)
- Public Health (BSPH)
- Public Health with a Major in Health Services Administration (BSPH)
- Public Health with a Major in Health Services Administration (Professional) (BSPH)
Source: ODU Catalog 2026-2027, Joint School of Public Health (opens in a new tab). Read Oct 1, 2026.
College of Sciences34
- Biochemistry (BS)
- Biochemistry with a Major in Biochemistry-Research (BS)
- Biochemistry with a Major in Secondary Chemistry Education (6-12) (BS)
- Biology (BS)
- Biology with a Major in Biology-One Health (BS)
- Biology with a Major in Biomedical Sciences (BS)
- Biology with a Major in Biomedical Sciences-Pre Health (BS)
- Biology with a Major in Marine Biology (BS)
- Biology with a Major in Secondary Biology Education (6-12) (BS)
- Chemistry (BS)
- Chemistry with a Major in Chemical Forensic Science (BS)
- Chemistry with a Major in Chemistry Pre-Med (BS)
- Chemistry with a Major in Research (BS)
- Chemistry with a Major in Secondary Chemistry Education (6-12) (BS)
- Computer Science (BSCS)
- Computer Science with a Major in Secondary Computer Science Education (6-12) (BSCS)
- Mathematics with a Major in Actuarial Mathematics (BS)
- Mathematics with a Major in Applied Mathematics (BS)
- Mathematics with a Major in Big Data Analytics (BS)
- Mathematics with a Major in Secondary Mathematics Education (6-12) (BS)
- Mathematics with a Major in Statistics/Biostatistics (BS)
- Ocean and Earth Science with a Major in Environmental Sciences (BS)
- Ocean and Earth Science with a Major in Geology (BS)
- Ocean and Earth Science with a Major in Marine Science Technology (BS)
- Ocean and Earth Science with a Major in Middle School Science Education (6-8) (BS)
- Ocean and Earth Science with a Major in Oceanography (BS)
- Ocean and Earth Science with a Major in Secondary Earth Science Education (6-12) (BS)
- Physics (BS)
- Physics with a Major in Astrophysics (BS)
- Physics with a Major in Physics and Electrical Engineering (BS)
- Physics with a Major in Physics and Master of Business Administration (BS-MBA)
- Physics with a Major in Physics-Professional (BS)
- Physics with a Major in Secondary Physics Education (6-12) (BS)
- Psychology (BS)
Source: ODU Catalog 2026-2027, College of Sciences (opens in a new tab). Read Oct 1, 2026.
School of Cybersecurity4
- Cybersecurity (BS)
- Cybersecurity with a Major in Artificial Intelligence for Cybersecurity (BS)
- Cybersecurity with a Major in Cyber Operations (BS)
- Cybersecurity with a Major in Cyber Risk Management (BS)
Source: ODU Catalog 2026-2027, School of Cybersecurity (opens in a new tab). Read Oct 1, 2026.
School of Data Science2
- Data Science (BS)
- Data Science with a Major in Data for a Human World (BS)
Source: ODU Catalog 2026-2027, School of Data Science (opens in a new tab). Read Oct 1, 2026.
Deadlines for Fall 2027
For students applying in fall 2026, entering fall 2027
| Plan | Apply by | Decision | Binding |
|---|---|---|---|
| Early Action | December 1 | January 15 | No |
| Regular Decision | February 1 (rolling) | Rolling | No |
Applications that arrive after these deadlines are reviewed on a rolling basis. The deposit deadline is May 1 for both plans. The application fee is $50, and the only required document is an official high school transcript (or GED transcript); an activity resume, letters of recommendation and a personal statement are optional but strongly recommended. First-year applicants are considered for merit scholarships automatically.
Source: ODU Undergraduate Admissions, Freshman Applicants (opens in a new tab). Read Oct 1, 2026.
Testing
For students applying in fall 2026, entering fall 2027
ODU does not consider SAT or ACT scores for undergraduate admission or standard scholarships. Scores already sent are not considered in the review, but you may send them for class placement or for some endowed scholarships.
Source: ODU Undergraduate Admissions, Freshman Applicants (opens in a new tab). Read Oct 1, 2026.
The Common Data Set marks the SAT or ACT as required for some fall 2027 applicants, with scores due by July 1. On the admissions page, scores are asked only of non-traditional freshman applicants (out of high school more than two years) who finished high school within the past three years.
Source: ODU Common Data Set 2025-2026 (opens in a new tab), section C8. Read Oct 1, 2026.
Applying next year?
For students applying in fall 2027, entering fall 2028
Not announced yet. When we checked ODU's admission pages on October 1, 2026, we found no announced changes for fall 2028 entry. The deadlines and rules above are for fall 2027 entry.
Source: ODU Undergraduate Admissions, Freshman Applicants (opens in a new tab). Read Oct 1, 2026.
Cost, and what families paid after aid
The published cost of a year at ODU, 2026-2027:
| Item | In-state | Out-of-state |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition and fees | $13,656 | $35,376 |
| Food and housing (on campus) | $15,632 | $15,632 |
| Books and supplies | $1,830 | $1,830 |
| Personal | $2,430 | $2,430 |
| Transportation | $1,380 | $1,380 |
| Total | $34,928 | $56,648 |
The financial aid office's estimate for a main campus undergraduate. Tuition and fees assume 30 hours a year; food and housing use the average on-campus housing cost. ODU's page names no academic year; it was last updated in May 2026, and its tuition is above the 2025-26 rate, so it is shown as 2026-2027.
Source: ODU Office of Student Financial Aid, Current Student Costs (opens in a new tab). Read Oct 1, 2026.
Average net price per year, by family income, 2023-24:
| Family income | Paid after grants |
|---|---|
| $0 to $30,000 | $9,739 |
| $30,001 to $48,000 | $10,114 |
| $48,001 to $75,000 | $13,123 |
| $75,001 to $110,000 | $16,940 |
| Over $110,000 | $23,567 |
| All incomes | $14,638 |
What first-year, full-time, in-state students who received federal aid paid after grants and scholarships, by family income, in 2023-24, the latest year the Department of Education publishes. Your own price comes from ODU's aid offer.
Source: College Scorecard, U.S. Department of Education (opens in a new tab). Read Oct 1, 2026.
Similar schools
Chosen for how close each is to Old Dominion University on acceptance rate, public or private, location and majors offered.
Virginia Commonwealth UniversityRichmond, VA · Public92.3% admitted$23,433 average net price
George Mason UniversityFairfax, VA · Public86.5% admitted$17,915 average net price
Appalachian State UniversityBoone, NC · Public90.1% admitted$16,836 average net price
East Carolina UniversityGreenville, NC · Public89.2% admitted$15,739 average net price
Augusta UniversityAugusta, GA · Public86.4% admitted$13,787 average net price
Admitted: each school's latest first-year acceptance rate, so the year can differ from school to school; each school's page names its year and source. Average net price: what federal aid recipients paid per year after grants, 2023-24, and the in-state figure for a public university.