Old Dominion University

Old Dominion University
Former names
List
  • Norfolk Division of the College of William & Mary (1930–1962)
    Old Dominion College (1962–1969)
TypePublic research university
EstablishedMarch 13, 1930 (March 13, 1930)
AccreditationSACS
Academic affiliations
Endowment$388.9 million (2025)
PresidentBrian Hemphill
Academic staff
2,927
Students23,469
Undergraduates17,504
Postgraduates5,965
Location,
United States

36°53′12″N 76°18′19″W / 36.88654°N 76.30522°W / 36.88654; -76.30522
CampusMidsize city, 251 acres (1.02 km2)
Other campuses
NewspaperMace & Crown
ColorsSlate blue, silver, and light blue
     
NicknameMonarchs
Sporting affiliations
MascotBig Blue
Websitewww.odu.edu

Old Dominion University (ODU) is a public research university in Norfolk, Virginia, United States. Established in 1930 as the two-year Norfolk Division of the College of William & Mary, the school became an independent college in 1962 and attained university status in 1969. In 2023, it had an enrollment of 23,494 students, and its main campus covers 250 acres.

The university's name is derived from one of Virginia's state nicknames, "The Old Dominion", given by King Charles II of England in recognition of its loyalty to the crown during the English Civil War. ODU offers 175 undergraduate and graduate degree programs from seven colleges and three schools. It has a Carnegie Classification of "R1: Doctoral Universities – Very high research activity" with "Higher Access, Medium Earnings". Old Dominion has approximately 165,000 alumni in all 50 US states and 67 countries.