Old Dominion University

<h4 id="section---Pros"> Pros</h4> <ul><li>The acceptance rate is about 13 percentage points higher than the national average </li><li>Students graduate with an average debt of $16,500, which is significantly lower than the national average debt of $26,660 </li><li>Endowment grew 21.3% between 2010 and 2011, according to the National Association of College and University Business Officers </li><li>Alternative types of credit, including CLEP and Defense Activity for Non-Traditional Education Support (DANTES), are accepted </li></ul><h4 id="section---Cons"> Cons</h4> <ul><li>The student-faculty ratio of 21:1 is significantly higher than the national average of 16:1 </li><li>The 4-year graduation rate of 23% is significantly lower than the national average of 40% </li></ul><h3 id="section---RankingsSchoolAnalysis"> Rankings &amp; School Analysis</h3> <p>According to <i>US News &amp; World Report,</i> Old Dominion University has several respected online degree programs. Its online bachelor's degree programs are ranked #71 of 160 ranked schools offering online bachelor's degree programs. Old Dominion University has been offering online degrees since 2003. Its graduate-level online nursing program is ranked #28 and graduate engineering program is #43. Most students who begin classes at Old Dominion University remain after the completion of freshman year; the school boasts a high retention rate of 80% for full-time students, per the National Center of Education Statistics (NCES). </p> <p>Old Dominion University's colleges and schools are the College of Arts and Letters, the Darden College of Education, the College of Business and Public Administration, the Batten College of Engineering and Technology, the College of Sciences, the College of Health Sciences, the University College and the Honors College. Some of the areas of study available for bachelor's degree students include business, philosophy, women's studies, English, engineering and biology. Master's degree programs are available in almost as many areas. Students may pursue doctoral degrees in subjects that include computer science, public administration, English, international relations and psychology. </p> <h2 id="section---GettingInFinancialAid"> Getting In &amp; Financial Aid</h2> <p>Old Dominion University has an online application, which helps the enrollment process move quickly. Students interested in applying to Old Dominion University must submit official ACT or SAT scores and high school transcripts. Although it is not a requirement, students are encouraged to submit resume and original essays on topics of their choice. Students interested in pursuing scholarships should also submit letters of recommendation. A $50 application fee must be included with each application. </p> <p>Old Dominion University offers students many ways of receiving financial assistance. The school grants a variety of scholarships every year. Incoming freshman with excellent academic backgrounds are automatically considered for merit-based scholarships. A number of private donor scholarships are available that may have specific criteria, such as study in a certain academic field. Federal loans and work-study positions are also available to students. </p> <p>Incoming freshmen that applied by the early action deadline of December 1, 2012, which provides priority consideration in terms of merit-based scholarships, would hear back from the school by January 15, 2013. Freshmen who apply by the regular deadline of February 1, 2013, would receive a decision by March 1, 2013. Transfer students, who must provide college transcripts, may apply by either the early action deadline of March 15 to receive priority consideration in terms of merit-based scholarships and notification by May 1, 2013, or the regular deadline of June 1, 2013, to receive notification by July 1, 2013. </p> <p /> <table border="1"><tr><th> Application and Tuition Info </th><th /></tr> <tr><td> <i>Regular Application Deadline (2013)</i> </td><td> February 1***</td></tr> <tr><td> <i>Financial Aid Priority Application Deadline (2013)</i> </td><td> February 15***</td></tr> <tr><td> <i>Admission Notification Date (2013)</i></td><td> March 1***</td></tr> <tr><td> <i>Application Fee (2013)</i> </td><td> $50***</td></tr> <tr><td> <i>Acceptance Rate (2011-2012)</i> </td><td> 75.4%**</td></tr> <tr><td> <i>Tuition &amp; Fees (2012-2013)</i></td><td> $8,450 (in-state), $23,330 (out-of-state)**</td></tr> <tr><td> <i>Percent of Students with Need Met (2011)</i> </td><td> 38.7%**</td></tr> <tr><td> <i>Average Student Debt at Graduation (2011)</i> </td><td> $16,500**</td></tr> <tr><td> <i>Student Loan Default Rate (2009)</i> </td><td> 4.6%*</td></tr> </table><h2 id="section---StudentLifeAtOldDominionUniversity"> Student Life at Old Dominion University</h2> <p>Old Dominion University has a variety of on-campus living options, including traditional residence halls, learning communities and special interest housing. Additionally, students can join sororities and fraternities. There are also more than 300 student clubs to join. There are several types of meal plans available to students as well a variety of dining facilities on campus, including popular restaurant chains such as Chick-Fil-A and Subway, plus two Starbucks coffee shops. </p> <p>Although Old Dominion University has a lot to offer, the student body is not geographically diverse. More than 90% of the students are residents of the state of Virginia. However, many races and ethnic groups are well represented on campus. </p> <p /> <table border="1"><tr><th> Student Life Info </th><th /></tr> <tr><td> <i>Campus Setting</i> </td><td> Urban**</td></tr> <tr><td> <i>Student Population (2011)</i> </td><td> 21,548 undergraduate students, 5,386 graduate students*</td></tr> <tr><td> <i>Male-to-Female Student Ratio (2011)</i> </td><td> 47% to 53%**</td></tr> <tr><td> <i>% of Full Time Students (2010)</i> </td><td> 76% undergraduates, 35% graduate*</td></tr> <tr><td> <i>% of In-State Students (Fall 2010)</i> </td><td> 88%*</td></tr> <tr><td> <i>% of International Students (Fall 2010)</i> </td><td> 1%*</td></tr> <tr><td> <i>Retention Rate (2010-2011)</i> </td><td> 80% full-time students, 62% part-time students*</td></tr> <tr><td> <i>Campus Housing Available</i> </td><td> Yes***</td></tr> <tr><td> <i>% of Students Living on Campus</i> </td><td> 24%**</td></tr> <tr><td> <i>Number of Libraries</i> </td><td> 1***</td></tr> <tr><td> <i>Extracurricular Activities</i> </td><td> More than 300 student clubs and organizations***</td></tr> </table><p><i>Sources: *NCES' College Navigator, **U.S. News &amp; World Report, ***Old Dominion University.</i> </p> <h3 id="section---ContactInfo"> Contact Info</h3> <ul><li><i>Address:</i> 5115 Hampton Boulevard, Norfolk, VA 23529 </li><li><i>Phone:</i> (757) 683-3000</li></ul>