Old Dominion University User Reviews and Ratings
Quality Programs
By MS, From Los Angeles
ODU has a good number of quality programs ranging from science and education. It gets hurt in terms of ranking by having a highly diverse student body especially in comparison to its former sibling campus - College of WM
What best describes you? Alumni
Activities & Social Life
Score：4
City & Setting
Score：4
Classes & Teachers
Score：5
Dining & Food
Score：5
Dorms & Housing
Score：5
Health & Safety
Score：4
Undergrad and grad student
By Richard A., From Richmond
Good value for the money. Diverse community economically, age, race and gender
What best describes you? Parent
Activities & Social Life
Score：4
City & Setting
Score：4
Classes & Teachers
Score：4
Dining & Food
Score：4
Dorms & Housing
Score：4
Health & Safety
Score：3
This university has come so far in thirty years.
By ODU Dad, From Virginia
My daughter decided on ODU this year instead of Va Tech and George Mason.
What best describes you? Parent
Activities & Social Life
Score：4
City & Setting
Score：5
Classes & Teachers
Score：4
Dining & Food
Score：4
Dorms & Housing
Score：5
Health & Safety
Score：3
Outstanding & Military Friendly
By Scott, BS & MA from ODU, From Dublin, Ga
This university went out of their way to get me expedited through the admission's process. I was able to start school only weeks after leaving the Marines. Their classes were engaging and the professors made themselves available to their students. It's a beautiful campus with multiple food options.
What best describes you? Alumni
Activities & Social Life
Score：5
City & Setting
Score：4
Classes & Teachers
Score：5
Dining & Food
Score：5
Dorms & Housing
Score：5
Health & Safety
Score：4
Excellent Science and Engineering Programs
By GK, From Virginia
ODU provides a quality education in the sciences and engineering at a great value. Just like anything else, one must apply oneself to learning, seek out opportunities to augment your education by joining research teams and pursuing internships. The area is filled with tech companies, engineering firms, government laboratories and facilities. Many of the faculty are practitioners and have current and relevant knowledge in their fields. With an excellent student-faculty ration (17:1) you will find the faculty approachable. With a little planning, faculty make themselves available to discuss coursework, projects or career options. While there is considerable research ongoing here, this is very much a teaching university. Students are involved in every aspect of the university and have a priority. One noteworthy negative aspect of the school is the working-level administration. They are relatively inaccessible, never seem to be in their offices, and act aloof to the students. You will get the typical bureaucratic shirk of the shoulders or a general ambivalence to your needs or problems. Many are definitely clock-watchers and just don't care about the student. They need to retire or move on to jobs not related to student service. That is a minor concern that can be overcome by some self-reliance and persistence. Overall, you will find a nurturing and fulfilling learning environment at ODU, one that is especially supportive of active duty military, veterans and their families.
What best describes you? Alumni
Activities & Social Life
Score：4
City & Setting
Score：4
Classes & Teachers
Score：5
Dining & Food
Score：4
Dorms & Housing
Score：5
Health & Safety
Score：3
Quality programs if you put in the effort
By aRock, From Norfolk, VA
The education at ODU is actually quite good. You just have to take advantage of all the opportunities there. You can skate through and likely pass, but you need to work hard to do well. I had some great professors who were easy to talk to. I made some good friends there too. The campus is pretty nice and the area is OK, but could certainly be better. And, you have to walk some distance to get to where the clubs and restaurants are. The basketball and football stadiums are in the center of campus. School spirit is on the rise, but has a way to go. ODU has the potential to be a great school, but as it is, it is simply a good school for now. I'm excited to see how much better it will be 10 years from now.
What best describes you? Alumni
Activities & Social Life
Score：4
City & Setting
Score：3
Classes & Teachers
Score：4
Dining & Food
Score：3
Dorms & Housing
Score：3
Health & Safety
Score：3
Student exchange
By Jack, From India
This university just see the communication skills of the person.they will not see that student made the project or anything.They will only check that student is good at communicating with others.If he/she is good they will give the opportunity even though the project is cloned or copied from somewhere else.Where the student who is weak at communication and very good at skills, there is no place of that person.So i think this is university is nothing but Producing Person who is good At communication not at the skills
What best describes you? Other
Activities & Social Life
Score：1
City & Setting
Score：1
Classes & Teachers
Score：1
Dining & Food
Score：1
Dorms & Housing
Score：1
Health & Safety
Score：1
I loved ODU
By ES, Class of 2016, From VA
I loved ODU. Like any urban/city schools, the city will be exactly what it is. The science and engineering departments are spectacular, but I can't speak for others; many of the professors are working in their field nearby (NASA, NOAA, shipyard, VDOT) so yeah they know their stuff, but that also means that you may get smart professors who aren't great at teaching since they're there for research, etc. I know that pretty much everyone I know who graduated from ODU has a well-paying job in their field. It's a fun campus that has REALLY changed since before 2010. They aren't going to hold your hand though. I had some issues with financial aid but after complaining they were fixed. (Oh and I heard the food is way better now since the new dining hall but it was mediocre at best! Lots of options nearby though.) They're slowly phasing out the gross old dorms but you still may get one until they do.
What best describes you? Alumni
Activities & Social Life
Score：4
City & Setting
Score：3
Classes & Teachers
Score：5
Dining & Food
Score：3
Dorms & Housing
Score：4
Health & Safety
Score：3
The Joke That is ODU
By Class of 2018, From Norfolk, VA
This school is by far the bottom tier of Virginia school. The area the school is located in is terrible and often unsafe. The university does very little for safety. SGA and student life is not supportive of greek life with the school often penalizing members. If you are considering this school don't save your money and go to another university.
What best describes you? Alumni
Activities & Social Life
Score：2
City & Setting
Score：1
Classes & Teachers
Score：1
Dining & Food
Score：1
Dorms & Housing
Score：1
Health & Safety
Score：1
