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%.
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.
| Major | Grads | Here | National | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Social Work | 26 | $64,246 | $65,123 | −$877 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | 19 | $59,973 | $59,916 | +$57 |
| Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management | 16 | $92,908 | $121,855 | −$28,947 |
U.S. Department of Education, College Scorecard field-of-study data. Median earnings of graduates working and not enrolled four years after completing a master'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?
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
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See How Colleges Compare
Norfolk State 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 Norfolk State University?
Norfolk State University has an acceptance rate of 88%, based on the most recent data from the U.S. Department of Education.
Is Norfolk State University hard to get into?
Not especially. Norfolk State University has an acceptance rate of 88%, so admissions are relatively accessible for applicants who meet the requirements.
How much does Norfolk State University cost?
The average net price at Norfolk State University is about $15,282 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 Norfolk State University?
Norfolk State University has a graduation rate of 39%, 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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