For the sixth straight year, Old Dominion University is one of the top institutions in the U.S. News & World Report’s Best College Rankings, improving its position in several categories.

U.S. News evaluated nearly 1,500 four-year higher education institutions for their 2023-2024 Best Colleges rankings. ODU ranked in the top tier for national universities and public schools, tying for 280 and 151, up from 299 and 156 respectively.

In addition, Old Dominion remained a top performer in advancing social mobility, tying for 198. For the first time, the criteria for this category included first-generation graduates in addition to Pell-recipient graduates. Most of these federal grants go to students whose adjusted gross family incomes are under $50,000.

Several ODU academic programs ranked in the top 35% of schools assessed in their respective categories:  

  • Undergraduate business program – Tied for No. 159 out of 523
  • Undergraduate computer science program – Tied for No. 192 out of 554
  • Undergraduate nursing program – Tied for No. 183 out of 656
  • Undergraduate psychology program – Tied for No. 161 out of 542

This was the first year the report ranked psychology programs. ODU’s undergraduate engineering program was also recognized.

“Our University continues to be recognized for our long-standing commitment to access and opportunity, as well as our on-going efforts in the areas of academic excellence and research growth," said President Brian O. Hemphill, Ph.D. “This enhanced level of deserving recognition would not be possible without our world-class faculty, as well as our hard-working staff, who devote their time and talent to our incredible students.”

“ODU’s improvement in the U.S. News & World Report rankings reinforces our standing as a university on the rise,” said Austin Agho, provost and vice president for academic affairs. “In addition, they reflect that ODU is a place for students from all backgrounds to succeed.”

To see the complete 2023-2024 Best Colleges rankings, visit U.S. News & World Report.

This is just the latest accolade for the University.

Eighteen graduate programs or specialties and two colleges at ODU earned recognition from U.S. News & World Report in their Graduate School Rankings released in April. 

In June, ODU improved its status as a world leader for addressing inequality, ranking 58th internationally and fourth among U.S. institutions for reducing inequalities in The Times Higher Education Impact Rankings for 2023.

In March, ODU earned a Gold ranking as a Military Friendly® School for 2023-2024 from militaryfriendly.com.