Norfolk State University
A good fit for students who want accessible admissions and in-state Virginia residents. graduation rate is below 40%; median debt is moderately high. 65% of students receive Pell Grants — strong access mission.
About This School
Norfolk State University is a public institution located in Norfolk, Virginia with approximately 5,392 undergraduate students enrolled. Norfolk State University has an open or accessible admissions process, with an acceptance rate of 88%. The average net price after financial aid is $15,282 per year. The graduation rate is 39%, and the typical graduate earns $38,800 within 10 years of enrollment.
Norfolk State University (NSU) is a public historically black university in Norfolk, Virginia. It is a member of the Thurgood Marshall College Fund and Virginia High-Tech Partnership.
The numbers tell a mixed story here: the affordable net price of about $13,000/year and an 87% acceptance rate make this an accessible option for students who need an open-door HBCU environment, but the 33% graduation rate is a serious concern — meaning most students who start here don't finish. If you do graduate, median earnings of $38,800 after 10 years are modest, though the relatively low debt load of $17,277 keeps the financial risk manageable.
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
Net Price by Family Income
Average annual cost after grants/scholarships, by household income. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
Financial Aid
Full Cost
After Graduation
Earnings 6 Years After Enrollment, by Gender
Gap: 10% less for female graduates. National avg ~16%.
Will This School Pay Off?
Worth scrutinizing. Median earnings relative to debt are tight.
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 (5,392 undergraduates).
Contact & Location
Official Links
Other Schools in Virginia
Liberty University
Lynchburg, VA · Private nonprofit
Northern Virginia Community College
Annandale, VA · Public
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
Blacksburg, VA · Public
George Mason University
Fairfax, VA · Public
James Madison University
Harrisonburg, VA · Public
Virginia Commonwealth University
Richmond, VA · Public
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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