Master of Science [M.S] [Electrical and Computer Engineering] From Old Dominion University

Old Dominion University (ODU) offers a 30-credit Electrical and Computer Engineering Master of Science (M.S.) in Norfolk, Virginia. The full-time on-campus F-1 route has no fixed duration; four semesters are approximately two years, and calculated tuition is US$45,690 (INR 43.60 Lakhs). Spring 2027 applicants need an accredited degree, a 3.0 grade point average (GPA) in the major and overall, plus English proof.

Electrical and Computer Engineering (ECE) combines electrical engineering, computer engineering and computer science through systems, signal processing, physical electronics, cybersecurity, modeling and biomedical research. Thesis, project and coursework-only pathways let applicants choose between original research, an advised project, or an examination-based plan. Applicants with circuit, calculus, physics and programming preparation fit best, while other degrees may require three to four leveling courses.

• The thesis option reserves 6 of the 30 credits for faculty-supervised research and an oral defense.
• ODU connects ECE research with the Applied Research Center, Virginia Modeling, Analysis, and Simulation Center, NASA Langley Research Center and Jefferson Lab.
• Competitive teaching and research assistantships may include a stipend and full or partial tuition waiver.

Also Check: Old Dominion ECE Admission

ODU Electrical and Computer Engineering Fees and Living Costs 2027

Spring 2027 falls under ODU’s tuition schedule effective Fall 2026, with graduate charges billed by credit hour. The on-campus F-1 route uses the out-of-state graduate rate because international students do not use the Virginia resident rate.

Target-cycle fee basis: The table uses the published 2026-27 rates and identifies calculated totals separately. Semester fees, insurance and course-related charges can change the amount billed beyond tuition.

All INR conversions in the article use a conversion rate of USD 1 = INR 95.4309 as of 14 August 2026. Rates fluctuate daily, verify before applying.

Source: Old Dominion University current tuition rates, estimated costs and graduate health insurance pages.

ODU’s official nine-month graduate funding estimate is US$45,400 (INR 43.33 Lakhs). It includes US$28,500 (INR 27.20 Lakhs) for tuition and fees. It also allocates US$13,500 (INR 12.88 Lakhs) for housing, personal expenses and books, plus US$3,400 (INR 3.24 Lakhs) for health insurance.

The estimate is a conservative funding benchmark based on nine graduate credits, not the exact 30-credit ECE bill. Because summer costs are excluded, Indian applicants should keep the published tuition calculation separate from the I-20 funding estimate.

Calculated core planning floor: The 30-credit charge is US$45,690 (INR 43.60 Lakhs). Nine months of housing, personal expenses and books add US$13,500 (INR 12.88 Lakhs), producing a planning floor of US$59,190 (INR 56.49 Lakhs). The floor excludes insurance, semester charges, summer costs, travel and any leveling courses.

Cost of Living in Norfolk for Electrical and Computer Engineering Students

ODU reports housing, personal expenses and books as one combined allowance, so it does not support a separate official food, utility or transport breakdown. The monthly figures below divide official nine-month amounts by nine and remain planning averages.

ODU’s 2026-27 graduate housing rates start at US$10,798 (INR 10.30 Lakhs) for a Nusbaum one-bedroom single. The highest listed graduate option is US$12,876 (INR 12.29 Lakhs) for a University Village four-bedroom single. These residence prices are separate from the combined living allowance, so check contract length and summer charges before signing.

ODU requires year-round health insurance for students in F-1 status, while the nine-month estimate shows only an academic-year planning figure. The Spring 2027 premium is therefore a separate cash-flow item, and the Summer premium matters if the programme plan includes summer enrollment.

Read More: US Cost of Living for International Students

ROI reality: The 30-credit charge is US$45,690 (INR 43.60 Lakhs), but ODU publishes no fixed duration or full-degree cost. Fund the credit plan, insurance and summer exposure separately before relying on assistantship support.

ODU Electrical and Computer Engineering Admission 2027

Admission expects an accredited bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering (EE) or computer engineering (CpE), with a 3.0 GPA in the major and overall record. ODU’s general master’s minimum is GPA 2.80 on a 4.0 scale, approximately 60% to 70% or CGPA 6.0 to 7.0 on 10 for Indian applicants. The programme expectation is approximately 65% to 75% or CGPA 6.5 to 7.5 on 10, because ODU publishes no India-specific conversion.

The degree can consider applicants from mathematics, physics, computer science or other engineering fields, but preparation gaps can add coursework. Applicants must have college chemistry, calculus-based physics, Calculus III and differential equations, while computer-focused plans may need additional computer science preparation.

Intakes and study mode

ODU lists Fall, Spring and Summer terms for international applicants, while the ECE programme is available online and on campus. This article uses the full-time on-campus mode because ODU requires students in F-1 or J-1 status to attend classes at the Norfolk campus.

Deadline context: The current international page publishes term dates without years or clock times. The dates below map those recurring published dates to the applicant-accessible 2027 intakes after 14 August 2026.

ODU’s catalog describes rolling departmental admission with no formal programme deadline, but the international office requires a complete file by the stated term cutoff. No university timezone or submission time is published, so Indian applicants should submit before the displayed date and retain the portal receipt.

Academic eligibility and application file

The strongest preparation is an electrical or computer engineering degree with circuit analysis, signals, programming, mathematics and laboratory work. Applicants from related fields may be considered, but the Graduate Program Director can prescribe three to four leveling courses before advanced study.

The GRE is the Graduate Record Examination used for graduate admission, while ABET means Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology. The published automatic waiver is tied to an engineering degree from an ABET-accredited institution in the United States, so most Indian applicants should verify any alternative in writing.

ODU requires a personal statement of 500 words or fewer covering goals, preparation and professional objectives. At least one recommendation should come from a current or former professor, so choose referees who can evaluate technical reasoning rather than only attendance or job title.

• Attach course descriptions when Indian transcript titles do not clearly show calculus, physics, circuits or programming content.
• Use the essay to identify a research or project direction that matches the thesis, project or coursework-only pathway.
• Request a written GRE decision before submitting an application that relies on an unlisted waiver.

English Language Proficiency (ELP) scores

English Language Proficiency (ELP) evidence is required from non-primary English speakers before enrollment in credit-bearing study. ODU’s current policy preserves the published test scales, including a separate TOEFL rule for exams taken before and after 21 January 2026.

ODU also lists a bachelor’s or master’s degree from an accredited institution in a country where English is official as an alternative route. An English-medium Indian degree should be confirmed rather than assumed to qualify, so check the current ODU English proficiency table before skipping a test.

• Book IELTS, TOEFL, PTE or Duolingo early enough to receive an official report before the Spring 2027 file cutoff.
• Choose TOEFL only after checking the test date against ODU’s separate 79 and 4.5 policies.
• Keep the score report, passport name and application spelling identical to reduce credential matching delays.

Tip for Indian students: Treat GPA 3.0 in both the major and overall record as the practical academic threshold, not the university’s lower general minimum. Submit a subject-mapped transcript and confirm GRE and English routes before the complete-file cutoff.

ODU Electrical and Computer Engineering Application 2027

Spring 2027 applicants should submit a complete file by 01 October 2026, even though the ECE catalog describes rolling departmental admission. ODU’s international office controls the document cutoff for students who need an F-1 visa.

ODU’s international FAQ estimates 8 to 10 weeks for a complete graduate application decision. That estimate is not a programme-specific promise, so submit transcripts, score reports, references and the essay together to avoid a preventable review delay.

Forward-looking application timeline

ODU publishes no fixed decision dates for this programme, but it does publish international term cutoffs and a general graduate decision estimate. The table converts the recurring term dates into the next 2027 intakes and shows the action each stage requires.

The application fee is US$50 (INR 4,772) and is non-refundable. ODU says that additional documents cannot be uploaded after online submission, so confirm translations, test reporting and recommendation requests before paying the fee.

The international office states that a complete application received after the term deadline may move to the next available semester. The ECE catalog’s rolling language therefore supports departmental review, but it does not guarantee international document acceptance after the published cutoff.

Build a research-ready application

The statement of purpose is limited to 500 words or fewer and must explain personal and academic goals, professional objectives and preparation for graduate study. A concise statement should connect one technical problem to the ECE pathway you want, rather than list every software package or course.

The curriculum allows a thesis, project or coursework-only option within 30 credits. Because the thesis route requires faculty advising and an oral defense, applicants seeking research should identify relevant laboratories or research themes before naming a preferred pathway.

• Ask one professor to evaluate your circuits, signals, mathematics or research readiness in a detailed recommendation.
• Use the resume to separate academic projects, publications, internships, programming tools and measurable engineering results.
• Attach certified translations when transcripts or course descriptions are not in English, because student-prepared translations are not accepted.
• Ask the Graduate Program Director (GPD) about leveling courses, GRE status and possible supervision before final submission.

Applicants who submit official transcripts, translations and test results should arrange direct delivery from the institution or testing agency. ODU also says that extra credentials sent after submission must go directly to International Admissions with the applicant’s name and date of birth in the email subject.

Check Out: Old Dominion University Courses and Fees

Application tip: The 01 October 2026 Spring deadline is a complete-file cutoff, not just an initial form date. Submit the fee, credentials, score reports, references, essay and resume together, then monitor the portal for missing items.

ODU Electrical and Computer Engineering Scholarships 2027

ODU publishes competitive assistantships for the ECE programme but no Spring 2027 tuition award amount. The current programme page says graduate teaching and research assistantships may include a stipend with full or partial tuition waiver. The university does not guarantee an award for every admitted student.

ODU’s international undergraduate merit scholarship does not apply to this master’s applicant profile. Indian applicants should therefore build the Spring 2027 budget on the published 30-credit charge and treat assistantships or post-enrollment awards as funding that requires separate confirmation.

Funding routes relevant to an international ECE applicant

Cycle note: The table separates the current published 2026-27 student route from the announced 2026-27 Graduate Summer Research cycle. Both require enrollment or faculty contact, so neither should be deducted from tuition before an award is issued.

The assistantship is the only listed route that can directly change tuition exposure, but ODU publishes no ECE-specific stipend or waiver schedule. Contact the Graduate Program Director with a research-fit statement, then request written confirmation of the term, workload, stipend and tuition treatment.

The Graduate Summer Research Awards cycle is useful for thesis or project students because it requires a faculty mentor and supports work toward a terminal degree. Its amount is unpublished, so applicants should treat the award as a possible research-cost offset rather than a tuition plan.

The ISAB Scholarship is a current published post-enrollment route, not an incoming-student tuition award. It supports conferences, unpaid internships, research expenses and other development activities outside regular coursework, which can reduce project travel pressure after one semester.

ODU’s 2026-27 Graduate School scholarships list nomination deadlines that passed before this research date and require active graduate enrollment. They are not counted as open Spring 2027 awards, so check the ODU graduate scholarships and awards page for a new nomination window after enrollment.

Read More: Master’s Scholarships in USA

Scholarship reality: Funding can lower the ECE cost or support research activity, but the published evidence is competitive and programme-variable. Prepare the application on gross fees, then update the budget only after ODU documents the award conditions.

ODU Electrical and Computer Engineering Salary 2027

ODU does not publish a course-level salary, offer-rate or placement report for this Master of Science in Engineering concentration. Its current programme page instead cites Occupational Information Network (O*NET) and Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) medians for related occupations.

Those figures describe the United States labour market, not ODU graduates, so they cannot establish typical pay or repayment. They remain useful for testing role-specific scenarios because the degree spans hardware, systems and electronics work.

Source: Old Dominion University Electrical and Computer Engineering career page citing O*NET and the Bureau of Labor Statistics; all figures are external market benchmarks.

ODU lists Jefferson Lab, NASA and Naval Research Laboratories under alumni careers, but the page gives no cohort, role, salary or offer rate. Employer names show reported destinations and research proximity, not recruitment volume or a placement guarantee.

Gross median pay is not take-home pay because taxes, benefits, location and visa status affect net income. Use the IRS Tax Withholding Estimator with a specific role and state before modelling loan repayment.

For return on investment (ROI), the decision is whether this mixed academic and professional degree justifies the calculated 30-credit tuition. That charge is US$45,690 (INR 43.60 Lakhs) before insurance and other fees. The absence of course outcomes means a conservative model should use the actual role you can pursue and a self-funded base case.

• The US$45,690 (INR 43.60 Lakhs) tuition calculation is not a flat bill, so map borrowing to the credits enrolled each term and verify future rates.
• ODU’s nine-month funding estimate is US$45,400 (INR 43.33 Lakhs) and excludes summer costs, so maintain a reserve beyond the first academic-year estimate.
• The thesis, project and coursework-only options create different portfolios, so choose the pathway that matches your target role and available faculty supervision.
• A standard 12-month post-study period may have a 24-month extension when degree, employer and immigration conditions qualify; verify the programme code before borrowing for three years.
• Indian returnees should treat US occupation medians as context only and compare the degree’s research portfolio with the specific India-based engineering roles they can pursue.

ROI reality: ODU supplies occupation-level salary benchmarks but no ECE graduate outcome report. The safer decision is to fund the degree on gross costs, test a conservative role scenario and value the thesis or project evidence even if US employment does not follow.

United States Visa for ODU ECE Students 2027

The on-campus ECE M.S. uses the F-1 student visa, and ODU requires F-1 or J-1 students to attend classes at the Norfolk campus. After admission, ODU issues Form I-20 after registering the student in the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS). The current visa application fee is US$185 (INR 17,655) and the I-901 SEVIS fee is US$350 (INR 33,401). Optional Practical Training (OPT) is temporary work authorization related to the major. A science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) field may support a further extension when the degree code, employer and training plan qualify. Review the current United States student visa requirements after receiving ODU’s immigration documents.

• Regular OPT can last 12 months, while a qualifying STEM extension can add 24 months when the Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP) code and employer conditions are satisfied.
• The H-1B temporary specialty-occupation visa has no single ECE salary threshold, because employer sponsorship, applicable wage rules, selection and visa availability control the route.
• Permanent residence has no fixed course-linked timeline, since employment category, employer sponsorship, visa availability and government processing determine the pathway.
• F-2 status may cover a spouse and unmarried minor children, but F-2 dependants are not employment-authorized.

Read More: US Post-Study Work Options

Visa reality: The ECE degree can create an OPT route and may support a STEM extension, but neither work authorization nor permanent residence is automatic. Confirm the CIP code, employer eligibility and dependent funding before treating a three-year work window as part of your budget.