Education Hub

Norfolk is the educational hub of the region, home to Old Dominion University, Norfolk State University, Eastern Virginia Medical School, and Tidewater Community College. With five additional colleges or universities and two additional community colleges throughout Hampton Roads, combined with other specialized educational institutions, these schools provide a variety of courses, locations, and traditions to suit a wide range of people. The educational programs in the Hampton Roads region, especially Norfolk, contribute to the development of a highly-skilled talent pool that benefits all types of businesses in Norfolk, VA.

In total, there are nearly 70,000 full-time equivalent students enrolled at all eleven higher education institutions in the metropolitan area (four-year public, four-year private, and two-year public). 46% of all full-time equivalent students enrolled at four-year institutions in the metropolitan area attend one of the four-year institutions in Norfolk (ODU, NSU, and EVMS).

Norfolk Higher Education Institutions

Eastern Virginia Medical School (EVMS)
In addition to the MD program, the school offers training in a growing number of health professions. EVMS also trains residents in their chosen specialty, provides fellowships in various sub-specialties, and sponsors ongoing Continuing Medical Education. In the 2021-2022 Academic Year, over 1,400^[1] full-time equivalent students were enrolled at EVMS. In 2022-2023, there were 9,572 applicants for 494 spots in the medical and health professions educational programs. (Source: EVMS Facts & Figures 2022-2023)

Norfolk State University (NSU)
Norfolk State University is four-year, public, urban, coeducational comprehensive university offering programs at the undergraduate and graduate levels. In the 2021-2022 Academic Year, nearly 5,000^[1] full-time equivalent students were enrolled at NSU. The university operates the NSU Innovation Center in Downtown Norfolk, which offers entrepreneurship and innovation services and support to the community. (Source: University at a Glance – Norfolk State University (nsu.edu)) 

Old Dominion University (ODU)
Old Dominion University is a dynamic public research institution. The university has rigorous academics and an energetic residential community in Norfolk. In the 2021-2022 Academic Year, nearly 19,000^[1] full-time equivalent students were enrolled at ODU. ODU operates its Institute for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (IIE) in Downtown Norfolk, providing a one-stop shop to access resources and services for innovation and entrepreneurship, IIE serves as the liaison between the University, community, and industry, to advance entrepreneurial endeavors, and assists in strengthening the innovation ecosystem in Norfolk. The Institute contains Tempo, the Veterans Business Outreach Center (VBOC), the Women’s Business Center (WBC), the Business Development Center (BDC), and the Open Seas Technology Innovation Hub. Additionally, business and research initiatives contribute $2.6 billion annually to Virginia’s economy. (Source: University Facts & Figures | Old Dominion University (odu.edu))

Tidewater Community College (TCC)
Tidewater Community College (TCC) serves South Hampton Roads with 4 campuses in Chesapeake, Norfolk, Portsmouth and Virginia Beach, and 6 regional centers. TCC is the second largest of the 23 Virginia community colleges. In the 2021-2022 Academic Year, nearly 11,000^[1] full-time equivalent students were enrolled at TCC. TCC is also a very popular choice among military-related students, who make up about one-third of TCC’s enrollment. (Source: About TCC | Tidewater Community College, TCC.EDU and Final_2021-22_2020-21_annualenrollment.pdf (tcc.edu))

[1] State Council of Higher Education of Virginia (SCHEV) Research Report E05A: Annualized Student FTE by Student Level Group 2021-2022)