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You Visit Tour. Webb Lion Fountain. June 1 2017. Photo David B. Hollingsworth

ODU Named One of Nation's Top Universities in U.S. News & World Report Rankings

By Keith Pierce

Old Dominion University holds its place as one of the top universities in the nation, according to the prestigious U.S. News & World Report 2020 rankings released Monday.

In the annual "Best National University" ranking, which measures everything from graduation and retention to student/faculty ratio and alumni giving, Old Dominion ranked in the top tier among the 1,800 institutions assessed, as well as being named one of the nation's Top Public Schools. Old Dominion also ranked among the best in ethnic diversity for the first time, and as a top university for social mobility, one of the newest categories in the report.

ODU has been a national leader in social mobility. The University hosted the second annual National Social Mobility Symposium in June, bringing together dozens of experts from around the country.

Two University undergraduate programs were also highlighted in the annual report:

  • Best Undergraduate Business Program.
  • Best Undergraduate Engineering Program at a Doctoral Institution.

These rankings come just months after U.S. News & World Report recognized Old Dominion as one of the best colleges and universities in the nation for distance-learning education.

"Rankings are not necessarily goals we strive to achieve," said Austin Agho, provost and vice president for academic affairs. "But they are a reflection of our impact and momentum, and a signal to talented students and faculty everywhere that we are a university on the move."

Earlier this year, ODU was also named a national College of Distinction for the 2019-20 academic year, earning "Field of Study" badges for its business, education, engineering, nursing, and career development programs.

To see the complete Best National Universities rankings, visit the U.S. News & World Report website.

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