Located in Norfolk, Old Dominion University (ODU) is Virginia's forward-focused public doctoral research university with nearly 24,000 students. A top R1 research institution with rigorous academics and a $3.8 billion annual economic impact in Virginia, ODU is nationally recognized for academic excellence, social mobility and access. At ODU, we are first-generation students, fourth-generation veterans and next-generation risk-taking entrepreneurs and researchers. We roll up our sleeves, dig in and invent our own tables instead of waiting for a seat at someone else's. Research As one of just 5% of universities nationwide to earn the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education's top research designation, ODU is a research powerhouse by the sea. With total research and development expenditures totaling $120 million, ODU is at the forefront of research on coastal resilience, cybersecurity, data science, modeling and simulation, biomedical sciences and more. A New Era in Healthcare On July 1, 2024, Eastern Virginia Medical School integrated into ODU to form Macon & Joan Brock Virginia Health Sciences at Old Dominion University. The most comprehensive academic health sciences center in Virginia is committed to the communities it serves and develops a robust pipeline of healthcare professionals in Hampton Roads and beyond through the following schools: - Eastern Virginia Medical School - Ellmer College of Health Sciences - Ellmer School of Nursing - EVMS School of Health Professions - Joint School of Public Health (in partnership with Norfolk State University) Student Body and Campus Culture ODU faculty are dedicated to our students' success. We provide a high-value education with the opportunities students need to earn both the experience and degree hiring managers want. Recognized by CollegeNET as a national leader in social mobility, ODU serves a student body where: - More than half are from underrepresented groups; - Nearly a third receive Pell Grants; - More than 30% are the first in their families to attend college. In addition, nearly 30% of ODU students are affiliated with the United States military. This reflects both our campus' location in Coastal Virginia, where Old Dominion is near 15 military installations, and the community's tradition of service.
