C
Average
Score: 53/100
Overall (traditional)
F
Outcome Rating
24/100 · earnings-weighted

Norfolk State University

4-Year Public HBCU
📍 Norfolk, Virginia 23504
Norfolk State University campus, Norfolk, VA
Norfolk State University campus, Norfolk, VA. Photo: Norfolk State University Communications and Marketing, CC0 via Wikimedia Commons.
ℹ️
Rating Context: ⚠️ Limited Data Available. Some metrics for this institution are incomplete or unavailable, which may affect the overall grade. Consider researching this school directly for the most current information.

Suggested Focus: For this type of institution, we recommend prioritizing the Outcomes Score (C+) which measures graduation and job placement rates — the most relevant metrics for career programs.
Graduation Rate: 33%
Outcomes
C+
58/100
Affordability
B
65/100
Resources
C
50/100
Experience
B
65/100
Prestige
F
28/100

Two ratings: the overall grade compares colleges the conventional way (outcomes, cost, resources, experience, reputation). The Outcome Rating asks what students earn: 60% wage-adjusted earnings 10 years after enrolling, 25% graduation, 15% retention. Methodology

Quick Stats

6,045
Total Enrollment
33%
Graduation Rate
72%
Retention Rate
18.0:1
Student-Faculty Ratio
87%
Acceptance Rate
$12,272
Avg Net Price
🏠 Housing Market Near Norfolk State University ▼

3% of first-year students live off campus and not with family (U.S. Dept. of Education, IPEDS). Upper-year students at most universities move off campus at much higher rates, so near-campus rental demand is typically larger than this figure suggests.

Avg Home Value
$273,366
Avg Monthly Rent
$1,650
1-Year Change
+5.0%

Earnings, Debt & Completion

What happens to students who enroll at Norfolk State University, from the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard.

$44,666
Median earnings 10 yrs after entry
$33,412
Median earnings 6 yrs after entry
$29,000
Median debt at graduation
38.5%
Completion rate (within 150% of normal time)
927
Average SAT
18
Median ACT
65%
Students receiving Pell grants

Typical debt at graduation equals about 65% of one year’s median earnings ten years after entry.

Earnings rank: 8th percentile among bachelor’s-degree-focused colleges after a partial adjustment for local wage levels (VA wage index 1.21). This drives the Outcome Rating.

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, retrieved Oct 2026. Earnings are for federally aided students who enrolled, whether or not they graduated.

Earnings by Major at Norfolk State University

Median pay of master's degree graduates by field of study, and how each program ranks against every college reporting that major — by raw pay and adjusted for state wage levels. Same school, very different paychecks.

Major1 yr after4 yrs aftervs. nationalRank (pay)Rank (wage-adj.)Median debt
Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management$59,924$92,908-24%#68 of 72#72$41,000
Social Work$53,070$64,246-1%#116 of 279#242$41,000
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods$51,920$59,973+0%#175 of 380#304$57,919

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study data. Earnings are for graduates who received federal aid and were working; small programs are not reported.

For parents & investors

The Norfolk State University Town Property Report

  • Avg home value near campus: $273,366
  • Avg rent near campus: $1,650/mo — vs ~$838/mo campus room rate
  • Top nearby ZIP by cap rate: 23523 (6.9% cap, Norfolk)

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🏆 Where Norfolk State University Ranks

Rankings based on Repit College Grade among schools offering each program.

#9
Communication, Journalism, and Related Programs, Other
of 10 schools

Costs & Financial Aid

Tuition & Fees

Category In-State Out-of-State
Tuition $5,926 $17,428
Room $7,542
Board $3,748
Total Cost (On-Campus) $27,502 $39,004

Financial Aid

97%
Receive Any Aid
73%
Receive Pell Grants
65%
Take Out Loans
$12,272
Avg Net Price

Net Price by Family Income

Family Income Average Net Price
$0 - $30,000$11,099
$30,001 - $48,000$12,836
$48,001 - $75,000$13,868
$75,001 - $110,000$14,235
$110,001+$18,020

Programs & Career Paths

Top Degree Programs

Programs ranked by number of degrees awarded annually.

Psychology, General 115 grads/yr Business/Commerce, General 106 grads/yr Social Work 82 grads/yr Multi-/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other 72 grads/yr Health/Health Care Administration/Management 61 grads/yr Communication, Journalism, and Related Programs, Other 51 grads/yr Sociology, General 51 grads/yr Biology/Biological Sciences, General 47 grads/yr Computer and Information Sciences, General 31 grads/yr Electrical and Electronics Engineering 26 grads/yr Art/Art Studies, General 25 grads/yr Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse 24 grads/yr Drama and Dramatics/Theatre Arts, General 23 grads/yr Political Science and Government, General 21 grads/yr Exercise Science and Kinesiology 20 grads/yr Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods, Other 18 grads/yr Computer and Information Systems Security/Auditing/Information Assurance 15 grads/yr Accounting 14 grads/yr Music, General 13 grads/yr Construction Engineering Technology/Technician 11 grads/yr

Related Career Paths

Careers that graduates from Norfolk State University's top programs commonly pursue.

Managers, all other
$137k/yr 1,333,700 jobs
Psychologists, all other
$118k/yr 55,300 jobs
Industrial-organizational psychologists
$110k/yr 5,600 jobs
Clinical and counseling psychologists
$96k/yr 76,300 jobs
Psychology teachers, postsecondary
$80k/yr 52,500 jobs
Social science research assistants
$58k/yr 40,600 jobs
Chief executives
$206k/yr 309,400 jobs
Sales managers
$138k/yr 619,500 jobs

Student Demographics

6,045
Total Students
66%
Women
83%
Traditional Age (18-24)
3%
Off-Campus Renters

👥 Race & Ethnicity

White 2%
Hispanic 5%
Black 83%
Two or More 6%
Non-Resident 2%

🏠 Living Arrangements

On Campus 91%
Off-Campus (Renters) 3%
With Family 6%
🏘️ Rental Demand: ~187 students need off-campus housing

💻 Learning Mode

In-Person 5%
Hybrid (Some Online) 82%
Fully Online 13%

📊 Age Distribution

18-24 (Traditional) 83%
25-64 (Adult) 13%

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the acceptance rate at Norfolk State University?
Norfolk State University has an acceptance rate of 87%. This indicates a less selective admissions process with good chances for qualified applicants.
How much does it cost to attend Norfolk State University?
Tuition at Norfolk State University is $5,926 for in-state students and $17,428 for out-of-state students . However, the average net price after financial aid is $12,272.
What is the graduation rate at Norfolk State University?
The graduation rate at Norfolk State University is 33%. This graduation rate is low, which may reflect the institution's student population, program types, or other factors worth investigating.
Is Norfolk State University a good school?
Norfolk State University has a Repit College Score of 53/100 (Grade: C). Our rating evaluates five key factors:
  • Outcomes (C+): Graduation and retention rates
  • Affordability (B): Net cost and financial aid access
  • Resources (C): Class sizes and selectivity
  • Experience (B): Campus life and learning format
  • Prestige (F): Reputation and recognition
Note: As a smaller institution, we recommend focusing on the Outcomes score when evaluating this school.
How many students attend Norfolk State University?
Norfolk State University has a total enrollment of 6,045 students. Most students (83%) are traditional college-age (18-24).
Is there rental demand near Norfolk State University?
Yes! Approximately 3% of students at Norfolk State University live off-campus (not with family). That's roughly 187 students who need rental housing near campus.

Deciding between a dorm and buying near campus? Run the numbers for Norfolk State University — four years of dorm costs vs. owning, including what you’d recover at resale. Buy vs Dorm calculator →

🎓 Similar Colleges to Norfolk State University

Compare with other 4-Year public institutions of similar size.

C+
Radford University
Radford, VA · 7,531 students
C+
Longwood University
Farmville, VA · 4,545 students
C+
University of Virginia's College at Wise
Wise, VA · 1,911 students
C+
Virginia State University
Petersburg, VA · 5,190 students
C+
University of Mary Washington
Fredericksburg, VA · 3,808 students
B
Christopher Newport University
Newport News, VA · 4,503 students

Data source: IPEDS 2023-24 | Last updated: October 2026 | Methodology