Old Dominion University: Acceptance Rate and Admissions Statistics

Old Dominion University is a public research university with an acceptance rate of 89%. Located in Norfolk, Virginia, Old Dominion has a 185-acre main campus and three branch campuses across Virginia. Old Dominion offers over 90 undergraduate degree programs with business and health being quite popular among undergraduates. The university also has one of the largest ROTC programs in the country. In athletics, the Old Dominion Monarchs compete in the NCAA Division I Conference USA.

Considering applying to Old Dominion University? Here are the admissions statistics you should know, including average SAT/ACT scores and GPAs of admitted students.

Acceptance Rate

During the 2018-19 admissions cycle, Old Dominion University had an acceptance rate of 89%. This means that for every 100 students who applied, 89 students were admitted, making Old Dominion's admissions process less competitive.

SAT Scores and Requirements

Old Dominion University requires that most applicants submit either SAT or ACT scores. During the 2018-19 admissions cycle, 86% of admitted students submitted SAT scores. Note that applicants with an average GPA of 3.3 or higher in a rigorous college preparatory curriculum may choose to apply test-optional.

This admissions data tells us that most of Old Dominion's admitted students fall within the bottom 29% nationally on the SAT. For the evidence-based reading and writing section, 50% of students admitted to Old Dominion scored between 500 and 600, while 25% scored below 500 and 25% scored above 600. On the math section, 50% of admitted students scored between 480 and 580, while 25% scored below 480 and 25% scored above 580. Applicants with a composite SAT score of 1180 or higher will have particularly competitive chances at Old Dominion University.

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Requirements

Old Dominion does not require the optional SAT essay section. Note that ODU participates in the scorechoice program, which means that the admissions office will consider your highest score from each individual section across all SAT test dates.

ACT Scores and Requirements

Old Dominion requires that most applicants submit either SAT or ACT scores. During the 2018-19 admissions cycle, 16% of admitted students submitted ACT scores. Note that applicants with an average GPA of 3.3 or higher in a rigorous college preparatory curriculum may choose to apply test-optional.

This admissions data tells us the most of Old Dominion's admitted students fall within the bottom 40% nationally on the ACT. The middle 50% of students admitted to Old Dominion received a composite ACT score between 18 and 24, while 25% scored above 24 and 25% scored below 18.

Requirements

Note that Old Dominion does not superscore ACT results; your highest composite ACT score will be considered. ODU does not require the optional ACT writing section.

GPA

In 2019, the average high school GPA of Old Dominion University's incoming freshmen class was 3.3, and over 44% of incoming students had average GPAs of 3.5 and above. These results suggest that most successful applicants to Old Dominion have primarily B grades.

Self-Reported GPA/SAT/ACT Graph

The admissions data in the graph is self-reported by applicants to Old Dominion University. GPAs are unweighted. Find out how you compare to accepted students, see the real-time graph, and calculate your chances of getting in with a free Cappex account.

Admissions Chances

Old Dominion University, which accepts over three-quarters of applicants, has a somewhat less selective admissions process. Admissions decisions are primarily based on academic preparation, GPA, and tests scores. College preparatory coursework should include a minimum of four years of English; three years of social science, math, and laboratory science; and three years of a single foreign language, or two years of two different languages. Your application will be stronger if you have successfully completed the most rigorous coursework available, including AP, IB, Honors, and dual enrollment classes.

Old Dominion also offers applicants an opportunity to have their application reviewed holistically. The university will review optional application materials for students who believe that these additional items will provide evidence of their potential for academic success. Applicants may submit an essay, extracurricular activity resume, and letters of recommendation to supplement their application. Students with particularly compelling stories or achievements can still receive serious consideration even if their test scores and grades are outside Old Dominion's average range.

In the scattergram above, the blue and green dots represent accepted students. The data show that most successful applicants had high school grades of "B-" or better, combined SAT scores of 950 or higher (ERW+M), and ACT composite scores of 18 or better.

If You Like Old Dominion University, You May Also Like These Schools

• James Madison University
• West Virginia University
• College of William & Mary
• University of Virginia

All admissions data has been sourced from the National Center for Education Statistics and Old Dominion University Undergraduate Admissions Office.