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Norfolk State University

Norfolk, VA · Public · Midsize city · NSU · Norfolk State

Public institution in Norfolk, VA · 5,495 undergraduates · 87% acceptance rate · $44,666 median earnings 10 years after entry.

Stats

College Scorecard figures, each with where this school sits nationally among institutions that report the same measure. A dash means the school does not report it.

Cost

Average net price
$12,973516th cheapest of 1,969 reporting
In-state tuition & fees
$9,910586th cheapest of 2,024 reporting
Out-of-state tuition & fees
$21,412939th cheapest of 2,024 reporting
Cost of attendance
$26,093758th cheapest of 1,969 reporting
Median graduate debt
$29,0001,791st lowest of 1,865 reporting

Outcomes

Median earnings, 10 years after entry
$44,6661,368th highest of 1,954 reporting
Median earnings, 6 years after entry
$33,4121,615th highest of 1,950 reporting
Graduation rate (4-year)
32.7%1,703rd highest of 2,014 reporting
Full-time retention
72.0%1,137th highest of 1,837 reporting

Admissions

Acceptance rate
87.5%1,147th most selective of 1,596 reporting
Average SAT
980965th highest of 1,022 reporting
Median ACT
18912th highest of 952 reporting

Campus

Undergraduates
5,495457th largest of 2,144 reporting
Student-faculty ratio
18.0:11,696th smallest of 2,141 reporting
Pell Grant share
62.2%190th highest of 2,122 reporting

Nearest large-hub airport: 145 mi (DCA)

On 1 of our 111 lists

Every published ranking this school appears on, with its rank there.

Applying

Common App member
Yes
Application fee
$25
Personal essay
Optional / not required
Writing supplement
No

Deadlines and essay flags come from the Common App Requirements Grid, joined by school name. Always confirm against the school’s own admissions page before applying.

Best-paying fields of study

Median earnings one and two years after graduating, by field. Showing 12 of 32 reported programs.

FieldLevel1 yr2 yr
Accounting and Related ServicesBusinessbachelors——
Biology, GeneralBiological Sciencesbachelors——
Business/Commerce, GeneralBusinessbachelors——
ChemistryPhysical Sciencesbachelors——
Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied ProfessionsHealth Professionsbachelors——
Communication, Journalism, and Related Programs, OtherCommunicationsbachelors——
Computer Engineering Technologies/TechniciansEngineering Technologybachelors——
Computer and Information Sciences, GeneralComputer Sciencebachelors——
Construction Engineering TechnologiesEngineering Technologybachelors——
Drama/Theatre Arts and StagecraftVisual & Performing Artsbachelors——
Electrical Engineering Technologies/TechniciansEngineering Technologybachelors——
Electrical, Electronics and Communications EngineeringEngineeringbachelors——

Campus facts

Athletics — 8 sports

NCAA Division I-FCS · NCAA Division I

Athletic scholarships allowed · Athletic aid $5,056,903 (M $3,383,178 · W $1,673,725)

Self-reported EADA participants (2024-2025). Athletic aid is institution-level, not per sport.

Nearest undergraduate enrollment to Norfolk State University’s 5,495 (College Scorecard UGDS, compiled 2026-10-24). Size only — not a judgment of similarity or quality.

In VA

Elsewhere