Student Outcomes
- Graduation Rate (4-year)
- 46.2%
- Graduation Rate (6-year)
- 44.4%
- Retention Rate
- 75.9%
- Median Earnings (10 years after entry)
- $54,914
- Median Debt at Graduation
- $24,000
- Student-to-Faculty Ratio
- 15:1
- Loan Repayment Rate
- 52.4%
- Estimated Monthly Loan Payment
- $254/mo
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engineering, Other. | Master | $106,421 | |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Master | $95,295 | $41,000 |
| Engineering, General. | Master | $78,719 | $20,500 |
| Accounting and Related Services. | Master | $74,576 | |
| Computer Engineering. | Bachelor | $72,231 | $23,000 |
| Education, Other. | Doctoral | $71,854 | $55,877 |
| Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions. | Master | $71,114 | $65,250 |
| Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering. | Bachelor | $66,126 | $25,000 |
| Civil Engineering. | Bachelor | $63,005 | $23,406 |
| Mechanical Engineering. | Bachelor | $62,654 | $25,000 |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General. | Bachelor | $61,516 | $23,925 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Bachelor | $61,090 | $17,990 |
| Communication Disorders Sciences and Services. | Master | $60,771 | $41,000 |
| Engineering Technologies/Technicians, Other. | Bachelor | $60,485 | $23,000 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Master | $58,673 | $20,400 |
Outcomes Overview
Old Dominion graduates earn a median of $54,914 ten years after graduation, while carrying typical debt loads of $24,000. This creates a manageable debt-to-earnings ratio of 44%, well below the concerning 60% threshold. Monthly loan payments of $254 consume roughly 5.5% of graduates' income, leaving room for other financial goals. The university's strong ties to Norfolk Naval Base and Newport News Shipbuilding funnel many graduates into defense contracting, engineering firms, and government positions. With a 94% employment rate and earnings that steadily climb from $46,400 in year one to nearly $55,000 by year ten, ODU delivers a strong return on investment for students seeking stable, middle-class careers in the Hampton Roads region.