NORFOLK, Va. — The Old Dominion University (ODU) Board of Visitors voted to implement a 3% increase in tuition and fees for the upcoming academic year for undergrad in-state students.
This vote last Friday was confirmed to WTKR News 3’s Norfolk Neighborhood reporter, Jay Greene, by a university spokesperson.
According to the spokesperson, the adjustment will vary across different programs due to specific fees that may apply solely to certain courses of study. The vote took place on Friday, marking a key shift in the university’s financial strategy to support core initiatives and operations.
Watch related: ODU launches signature coffee blend
Old Dominion University had earlier initiated a request for the Board to consider an increase in tuition and mandatory fees for undergraduate students.
The university has expressed its intentions to utilize the additional revenue to enhance various aspects of its educational offerings and campus operations. This includes efforts to retain and attract high-quality faculty members, invest in STEM-H degree production, maintain facility operations, enhance technology infrastructure, and further strategic initiatives.
Additionally, the revenue will help fund other critical items such as state-mandated compensation increases and Board-approved capital investments.
Watch related: ODU food pantry aims to tackle food insecurity among students
Currently, in-state students living off-campus are charged a tuition and fee rate of $12,750 per academic year, excluding the one-time application fee, as per the university's tuition calculator. For out-of-state students, the total stands at $39,836. They would see a 1% increase.
The university told Greene the calculator has not yet been updated with the new rates.
ODU sent the following statement to News 3.
Old Dominion University is the most affordable Research 1 university in Virginia, delivering exceptional value to our students – past, present and future. As such, the University remains committed to offering an excellent, affordable education for our students, many of whom come to us from working-class families.
Virginia has invested substantial financial aid into Old Dominion University as commonwealth officials understand the value of higher education to the state’s workforce and economy. A modest tuition increase of three percent for in-state students and one percent for out-of-state students is needed for continued investment in student success programs. In order to keep pace with rising operational costs, fees for certain programs and university offerings will vary for the 2025-2026 academic year.
