Norfolk State University — acceptance rate 87%, tuition $5,926 in-state, $17,428 out-of-stateNorfolk 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.
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.
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)
Get the free 1-page report: rent-vs-dorm math, the 3 best nearby ZIPs by yield,
and the “kiddie condo” strategy parents use.
✓ Sent — check your inbox
Free — no spam, unsubscribe anytime.
🏆 Where Norfolk State University Ranks
Rankings based on Repit College Grade among schools offering each program.
🏘️ Rental Demand: ~187 students need off-campus housing
💻 Learning Mode
In-Person5%
Hybrid (Some Online)82%
Fully Online13%
📊 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.