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Norfolk State University

Norfolk State University

Norfolk, VA · City · 5,392 students
WebsiteCommon AppScorecard
Application deadlines: Check the admissions site
$15,282
Average net priceYour net price
In-state · 2023-24
<30
30–48
48–75
75–110
110+
By household income — tap a bar
36%
Graduation rate
Entered fall 2017 & 2018
52% typical
$44,666
Earnings 10 years on
Measured 2020 & 2021
$51,562 typical
88%
Acceptance rate
Applied for fall 2024
81% typical · not scored
Accredited by Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
About

Norfolk State University is a prominent public historically Black university (HBCU) renowned for its strong academic programs in cybersecurity, nursing, social work, and optical engineering. As a designated National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense, NSU provides students with high-impact undergraduate research opportunities and state-of-the-art STEM facilities, such as the Center for Materials Research. Campus life is steeped in vibrant HBCU traditions and close-knit community pride, highlighted by NCAA Division I Spartan athletics and the nationally acclaimed "Spartan Legion" marching band.

Wikipedia: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.

Location
Norfolk, VA, 23504-8000 · City campus
✈
Nearest airport from college
ORF · Norfolk
14 mi away
Open in Google Maps
Cost & aid
Cost of attendance
These figures are federal data and may be out of date.
In-stateOut-of-state
Tuition & fees$10,180$21,682
Housing & food (on campus)$11,591$11,591
Books & supplies$1,000$1,000
Cost of attendance$26,633$38,135 est.
Average net price$15,282Not published
Out-of-state prices
Tuition & fees$21,682
In-state: $10,180
Housing & food (on campus)$11,591
Books & supplies$1,000
Cost of attendance$38,135 est.
In-state: $26,633
Average net priceNot published
In-state: $15,282
est. = the in-state cost of attendance with out-of-state tuition swapped in; no out-of-state figure is published.
Net price by family income · in-state students, 2023-24
$0–30k
$12,804
$30–48k
$13,905
$48–75k
$15,507
$75–110k
$17,972
$110k+
$26,175
Outcomes
Completion
Within 6 yrs
36%
Entered 2017–18
Within 4 yrs
15%
Back for yr 2
73%
Transferred
6%
8 yrs after starting · first-time, full-time students
41% graduated · 21% transferred · 1% still enrolled · 36% left or unknown
Earnings · measured 2020 & 2021
6 yrs after entry$33,412
10 yrs after entry$44,666
Debt
Median at graduation$29,000
Monthly payment$307
Middle 50% owe$9.5k–$34.5k
90th percentile$46,750
Admissions
Getting in · applied for fall 2024
Admit rate
88%
Test policy
Test optional
Per College Scorecard
SAT average
927
R 430–520 · M 393–510
ACT midpoint
18
Comp 16–22
SAT middle 50%: 823–1030
40080012001600

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Essay prompts

If Norfolk State University asks for supplemental essays, the prompts are in the Common App.

The personal essay is separate: see the Common App essay prompts.

Student Body
Gender
Men 32%Women 68%
Who enrolls
Faculty ratio
15 : 1
Pell grant
65%
First-gen
37%
Family income
$26,072
Independent
30%
Veterans
1%
Age at entry
23.0
Part-time
8%
Race & ethnicity
White
2%
Hispanic
5%
Black
80%
Two or more
5%
Non-resident
7%
Unknown
1%
Varsity sports
NCAA Division I-FCS · EADA 2024-25
  • Baseball
    Men's
  • Basketball
    Men's · Women's
  • Bowling
    Women's
  • Football
    Men's
  • Softball
    Women's
  • Tennis
    Men's · Women's
  • Track and Field and Cross Country (combined)
    Men's · Women's
  • Volleyball
    Women's
Programs & Earnings
Bachelor's degrees by annual completions · 4yr national median earnings
Median earnings, all programs · measured 2020 & 2021
After 6 yrs
$33,412
After 10 yrs
$44,666
Psychology, General112
Business/Commerce, General84
Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other62
Communication, Journalism, and Related Programs, Other61
Biology, General56
Social Work56
Sociology56
Health and Medical Administrative Services49
Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness42
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing32
Computer and Information Sciences, General28
Political Science and Government20
Fine and Studio Arts16
Accounting and Related Services15
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods13
Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering13
Type your major above to highlight and detail relevant programs.
Institutional
Resources
Endowment
$78M
Full-time faculty
54%
Faculty salary
$9,767/mo
Teaching spend
$13,530
per student
Federal loans
64%
Classification
Carnegie type
Master's (medium programs)
Research activity
Research college or university
$7M research spending · 9 research doctorates a year
Undergraduate profile
Four-year, inclusive admissions

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