Hampton University
A good fit for students who prefer a mid-size campus. no major red flags in the data. a private nonprofit school with 3,727 students.
About This School
Hampton University is a private nonprofit institution located in Hampton, Virginia with approximately 3,727 undergraduate students enrolled. Hampton University has an open or accessible admissions process, with an acceptance rate of 62%. The average net price after financial aid is $25,319 per year. The graduation rate is 57%, and the typical graduate earns $50,100 within 10 years of enrollment.
Hampton University is a private, historically black, research university in Hampton, Virginia, United States. Founded in 1868 as Hampton Agricultural and Industrial School, it was established by Black and White leaders of the American Missionary Association after the American Civil War to provide education to freedmen. The campus houses the Hampton University Museum, which is the oldest museum of the African diaspora in the United States and the oldest museum in the commonwealth of Virginia. First led by former Union General Samuel Chapman Armstrong, Hampton University's main campus is located on 314 acres (127 ha) in Hampton, Virginia, on the banks of the Hampton River.
The numbers tell a mixed story here: an 85% freshman retention rate shows students are largely happy once enrolled, but only 56% actually graduate, which is a real concern worth pressing the school on. At $32,145/year after aid, the cost is meaningful, and while the $19,500 median debt is relatively manageable, the $50,100 median earnings at 10 years is modest for a private school price tag. This is worth considering if you're drawn to the HBCU experience, tight-knit community, and strong alumni network — just go in with a clear plan to finish, because the graduation numbers suggest too many students don't.
Popular Programs
Percentage of degrees awarded. Source: College Scorecard.
Notable Alumni
Source: Wikidata. Used for context only.
Admissions
SAT Scores
ACT Scores
Cost & Financial Aid
Financial Aid
Full Cost
After Graduation
Earnings 6 Years After Enrollment, by Gender
Gap: 1% less for female graduates. National avg ~16%.
What Each Major Actually Earns
Median earnings four years after graduation, by major, next to the national median for that same major at every college. The school-wide average hides this: at most schools the spread between the best- and worst-paying majors is far wider than the gap between schools.
Hampton University graduates earn most above the national rate in Business Administration, Management and Operations ($82,252 vs $68,257 nationally), and most below it in Marketing ($47,479 vs $69,303).
| Major | Grads | Here | National | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | 57 | $82,252 | $68,257 | +$13,995 |
| Biology, General | 56 | $49,539 | $57,214 | −$7,675 |
| Psychology, General | 50 | $45,749 | $50,706 | −$4,957 |
| Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness | 32 | $48,610 | $54,562 | −$5,952 |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | 30 | $54,437 | $53,072 | +$1,365 |
| Journalism | 23 | $61,675 | $56,278 | +$5,397 |
| Political Science and Government | 23 | $64,293 | $63,293 | +$1,000 |
| Marketing | 23 | $47,479 | $69,303 | −$21,824 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | 17 | $53,602 | $55,378 | −$1,776 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | 12 | $94,216 | $88,910 | +$5,306 |
| Communication Disorders Sciences and Services | 6 | $54,286 | $58,928 | −$4,642 |
U.S. Department of Education, College Scorecard field-of-study data. Median earnings of graduates working and not enrolled four years after completing a bachelor's degreehere. Majors with too few graduates to report are omitted for privacy, so this is not the school's full program list.
Will This School Pay Off?
Solid return. Earnings outpace debt, though major choice matters.
Earnings data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. These are means across all graduates, not specific to any major.
Student Body
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (3,727 undergraduates).
Contact & Location
Official Links
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See How Colleges Compare
Hampton University is one of thousands of colleges in our data studies, each built from the same U.S. Department of Education data shown on this page. Compare schools head to head:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the acceptance rate at Hampton University?
Hampton University has an acceptance rate of 62%, based on the most recent data from the U.S. Department of Education.
Is Hampton University hard to get into?
Hampton University is moderately selective, with an acceptance rate of 62%. Solid grades and a complete application give most applicants a real shot.
How much does Hampton University cost?
The average net price at Hampton University is about $25,319 per year after grants and scholarships, based on federal data. Your actual cost depends on your family's finances and aid package.
What is the graduation rate at Hampton University?
Hampton University has a graduation rate of 57%, according to U.S. Department of Education data.
Sources & Methodology
Primary data source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Accessed via automated sync. Latest values may come from different reporting years depending on the metric.
School overview from Wikipedia. Used for context only, not as a primary data source for admissions, cost, or outcomes claims.
- Earnings figures are institution-level averages, not major-specific.
- Some metrics are based on Title IV financial aid recipients only.
- Some values may be privacy-suppressed or rolled up by the Department of Education.
- Contact the school directly for current admissions requirements and costs.
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