Norfolk State University
Public four-year university in Norfolk, VA that costs an average of $12,180 a year after financial aid, admits 88% of applicants and graduates 35% of full-time students.
Net price / year
$12,180
Acceptance rate
88%
Graduation rate
35%
Earnings after 10 yrs
$49,237
HBCUPublicMidsize city5,392 undergraduates
Cost of Norfolk State University
| Total cost of attendance (per year) | $26,026 |
|---|---|
| Tuition and fees, in-state | $10,456 |
| Tuition and fees, out-of-state | $21,806 |
| Housing and food (on campus) | $11,852 |
| Books and supplies | $1,000 |
| Average net price after aid | $12,180 |
Net price by family income
| Family income | Average net price / year |
|---|---|
| $0–30,000 | $11,325 |
| $30,001–48,000 | $11,360 |
| $48,001–75,000 | $9,794 |
| $75,001–110,000 | $14,945 |
| $110,001+ | $19,960 |
Net price is what students actually pay after grants and scholarships (in-state students). Get your own estimate with Norfolk State University's net price calculator ↗.
Admissions
| Acceptance rate | 88% |
|---|---|
| Average SAT | 927 |
| SAT reading (25th–75th percentile) | 430–520 |
| SAT math (25th–75th percentile) | 393–510 |
| ACT composite (25th–75th percentile) | 16–22 |
| Test scores | Considered but not required |
Graduation, earnings and debt
| Graduation rate | 35% |
|---|---|
| First-year retention | 73% |
| Median earnings 6 years after enrolling | $39,680 |
| Median earnings 10 years after enrolling | $49,237 |
| Rank in Virginia (earnings) | 39th of 51 similar colleges |
| Median debt of graduates | $26,000 |
| Typical monthly loan payment | $295 (10-year plan) |
| Students with Pell grants | 70% |
| Students with federal loans | 57% |
Majors and programs at Norfolk State University
Earnings one year after graduation and median debt, by program. Click a program for details and comparisons.
Bachelor's degree programs (33)
| Program | Graduates (2 yrs) | Earnings after 1 yr | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accounting and Related Services | 29 | — | — |
| Biology | 103 | — | $26,000 |
| Business/Commerce | 190 | — | $27,000 |
| Chemistry | 16 | — | — |
| Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions | — | — | — |
| Communication, Journalism, and Related Programs, Other | 101 | — | $25,500 |
| Computer and Information Sciences | 61 | — | $25,000 |
| Computer Engineering Technologies/Technicians | 10 | — | — |
| Construction Engineering Technology/Technician | 20 | — | — |
| Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft | 31 | — | — |
| Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering | 28 | — | — |
| Electrical/Electronic Engineering Technologies/Technicians | 6 | — | — |
| Engineering, Other | 8 | — | — |
| English Language and Literature | 11 | — | — |
| Family and Consumer Sciences/Human Sciences, Other | 11 | — | — |
| Fine and Studio Arts | 41 | — | — |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services | 102 | — | $31,000 |
| History | 14 | — | — |
| Journalism | — | — | — |
| Mathematics | 5 | — | — |
| Mechanical Engineering Related Technologies/Technicians | — | — | — |
| Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other | 134 | — | $22,806 |
| Music | 24 | — | — |
| Physics | 1 | — | — |
| Political Science and Government | 41 | — | — |
| Psychology | 227 | — | $26,000 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | 56 | — | — |
| Social Work | 113 | — | $26,000 |
| Sociology | 107 | — | $27,950 |
| Special Education and Teaching | 3 | — | — |
| Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness | 62 | — | — |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | 30 | — | — |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas | — | — | — |
Certificate programs (1)
| Program | Graduates (2 yrs) | Earnings after 1 yr | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Health and Medical Administrative Services | — | $33,145 | $31,000 |
Associate's degree programs (1)
| Program | Graduates (2 yrs) | Earnings after 1 yr | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Architectural Engineering Technologies/Technicians | 5 | — | — |
Master's degree programs (14)
| Program | Graduates (2 yrs) | Earnings after 1 yr | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management | 31 | $68,284 | — |
| Social Work | 50 | $59,342 | $40,545 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | 37 | $58,655 | $61,272 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | 19 | $40,724 | — |
| Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology | 8 | — | — |
| Communication, Journalism, and Related Programs, Other | 17 | — | — |
| Computer and Information Sciences | 10 | — | — |
| Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering | 27 | — | — |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services | 14 | — | — |
| Music | 12 | — | — |
| Physics | 6 | — | — |
| Special Education and Teaching | 4 | — | — |
| Urban Studies/Affairs | 19 | — | — |
| Visual and Performing Arts | — | — | — |
Doctoral degree programs (3)
| Program | Graduates (2 yrs) | Earnings after 1 yr | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology | 8 | — | — |
| Materials Sciences | 7 | — | — |
| Social Work | 2 | — | — |
Graduate certificate programs (1)
| Program | Graduates (2 yrs) | Earnings after 1 yr | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology | 2 | — | — |
Similar colleges in Virginia
| College | City | Net price / yr | Acceptance | Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Virginia State University | Petersburg | $14,893 | 89% | $49,358 |
| Radford University | Radford | $13,701 | 90% | $59,134 |
| Christopher Newport University | Newport News | $22,310 | 86% | $65,183 |
| William & Mary | Williamsburg | $18,880 | 34% | $83,488 |
| University of Mary Washington | Fredericksburg | $23,821 | 80% | $66,028 |
| Longwood University | Farmville | $20,773 | 90% | $55,653 |
| Old Dominion University | Norfolk | $12,913 | 90% | $60,482 |
| University of Virginia-Main Campus | Charlottesville | $18,056 | 17% | $96,468 |
About Norfolk State University
| Type | Public four-year university |
|---|---|
| Location | Norfolk, VA |
| Setting | Midsize city |
| Undergraduates | 5,392 |
| Student-to-faculty ratio | 15 to 1 |
| Accreditor | Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges |
| Website | nsu.edu ↗ |
Frequently asked questions
What is Norfolk State University's acceptance rate?
Norfolk State University admits 88% of applicants. Admitted students average 927 on the SAT.
How much does Norfolk State University cost per year?
The full cost of attendance is $26,026 a year (tuition and fees: $10,456 in-state, $21,806 out-of-state). After grants and scholarships the average student pays $12,180 a year, and students from families earning under $30,000 pay about $11,325.
How much do Norfolk State University graduates earn?
Former students earn a median of $49,237 a year, 10 years after first enrolling — 39th of 51 similar colleges in Virginia.
What is Norfolk State University's graduation rate?
35% of full-time students graduate within six years, and 73% of first-year students return for a second year.