International Collaboration: An Academic Network Connecting the World
ODU places a high priority on internationalizing its campus. In the summer of 2025, the university established the Office of International Collaboration (OIC) within the Graduate School, dedicated to expanding partnerships with universities worldwide. The university has signed new memorandums of understanding with institutions in Colombia, South Africa, Mexico, Romania, Ecuador, and India. Currently, ODU has established student exchange partnerships with more than 100 universities worldwide.
The university has also launched the COIL (Collaborative Online International Learning) program, which enables students in ODU classrooms to collaborate virtually with students from international partner institutions to complete coursework. The Monarch Faculty Exchange Program offers faculty members opportunities to teach for short-term stints at partner institutions in Japan, Colombia, India, and Peru.
Campus Life: A Blend of Vibrancy and Tradition
ODU is home to more than 200 student organizations covering a wide range of areas, including academics, career development, community service, performing arts, and intramural sports. Fraternities and sororities have been an integral part of campus tradition since 1966. Campus traditions are rich and varied: the tradition of wearing school uniforms on Fridays has been officially adopted by the Student Government Association; the legend surrounding the university emblem at Kaufman Plaza—that stepping on it will prevent you from graduating; and the bronze statue of the mascot, Big Blue, in the lobby of the Weber Center, where rubbing its belly is said to bring good luck. ODU’s athletic teams compete in NCAA Division I, and the unique “Ice Cream and Cake” cheer dance performed during basketball and football games is a highlight of every season. Regarding the Value of an Old Dominion University Diploma for the Average Person
Employment and Career Development: A Seamless Transition from the Classroom to the Workplace
ODU’s strategic plan explicitly requires all students to complete an internship or work-based learning experience before graduation. To this end, the university established the Monarchs Internship and Industry Partnership Office and launched a 24-hour virtual internship service platform. Career and internship fairs are held twice a year, supplemented by specialized recruitment events for specific groups. Graduate data shows that the median salary for bachelor’s degree graduates three years after graduation is approximately $55,000. ODU boasts an extensive alumni network of nearly 200,000 alumni spread across all 50 U.S. states and 76 countries.
Why It’s So Popular
Old Dominion University’s widespread appeal among students worldwide stems from its unique combination of strengths. As an R1 research university, ODU offers top-tier research resources and an academic platform at public university tuition rates. Located in Virginia’s coastal metropolitan area and adjacent to the world’s largest naval base, the university possesses unique advantages in industry-academia-research collaboration across strategic fields such as cybersecurity, maritime logistics, and coastal resilience. ODU has long been a leader in distance education, and its online Bachelor of Business Administration program ranks first in Virginia.
More importantly, guided by its “Forward Focus” strategy, the university ensures students are career-ready upon graduation through initiatives such as a mandatory internship policy and an AI innovation incubator. From its origins as a two-year branch campus in 1930 to today’s international research university, ODU has consistently maintained a “forward-looking” mindset—and this may well be the fundamental reason it continues to attract students from around the world.
