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Norfolk State University

Norfolk, Virginia · Public · 4-year · City

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At a glance

Average net price
$15,282What students typically pay per year after grants and scholarships.
Acceptance rate
88%
Graduation rate
36%Share of students who finish within 150% of the normal time.
Undergraduates
5,392
In-state tuition
$10,180Published price before aid.
Out-of-state tuition
$21,682
SAT midpoint
972
Median earnings, 10 yrs
$44,666Median earnings of former students ten years after they first enrolled.

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Data year: 2022-23 academic year. Updated September 2026. Figures are averages across all students and will differ from what any individual pays.

How it compares to similar colleges

Each rating covers one measure against public 4-year colleges nationally. Five stars means the top fifth on that measure. There is no overall score, because which of these matters is your call.

Affordability

$15,282

Better than 45% of public 4-year colleges (565 compared).

Completion

36%

Better than 16% of public 4-year colleges (566 compared).

Earnings

$44,666

Better than 16% of public 4-year colleges (590 compared).

Debt at graduation

$29,000

Better than 2% of public 4-year colleges (588 compared).

What these ratings are based on
Affordability
Based on average net price: what students receiving federal aid actually paid, after grants and scholarships. Your own cost depends on your family's finances.
Completion
Based on the share of first-time, full-time students who graduate within 150% of normal time. It excludes transfer and part-time students, which understates colleges serving many of them.
Earnings
Based on median earnings ten years after students first enrolled. It reflects the subjects a college teaches and the region it sits in as much as its teaching.
Debt at graduation
Based on median federal loan debt among students who completed. Private and parent loans are not included, so real totals are often higher.
Why there is no rating for selectivity
A lower acceptance rate is selectivity, not quality. Awarding stars for it would be us inventing a value judgement and hiding it behind a number.

What it actually costs

Published cost

$26,633

The sticker price: tuition, fees, housing, food and books for one academic year, before any aid.

Average net price

$15,282

What students receiving federal aid actually paid on average, after grants and scholarships. This is the more useful number, though your own figure depends on your family’s finances.

Use this college’s official net price calculator

Outcomes

Graduation, retention, debt and earnings for Norfolk State University
Graduation rateWithin 150% of normal time36%
Retention rateFirst-year students who return73%
Median debt at graduationFederal loans only, students who completed$29,000
Median earnings, 10 years after entryFormer students, working and not enrolled$44,666

What graduates of each major earn

Median earnings one year after finishing, for people who took that subject here. This is the figure a college-wide median hides: the spread between subjects at one college is usually far wider than the spread between colleges.

Bachelor’s programs at Norfolk State University by graduate earnings
MajorEarnings, 1 yrDegrees awarded
Psychology, GeneralNot reported112
Business/Commerce, GeneralNot reported84
Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, OtherNot reported62
Communication, Journalism, and Related Programs, OtherNot reported61
Biology, GeneralNot reported56
SociologyNot reported56
Social WorkNot reported56
Health and Medical Administrative ServicesNot reported49
Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/FitnessNot reported42
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical NursingNot reported32
Computer and Information Sciences, GeneralNot reported28
Political Science and GovernmentNot reported20
Fine and Studio ArtsNot reported16
Accounting and Related ServicesNot reported15
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and MethodsNot reported13
Electrical, Electronics, and Communications EngineeringNot reported13
MusicNot reported11
Construction Engineering Technology/TechnicianNot reported9
Drama/Theatre Arts and StagecraftNot reported8
HistoryNot reported8
Computer Engineering Technologies/TechniciansNot reported7
ChemistryNot reported7
Family and Consumer Sciences/Human Sciences, OtherNot reported5
English Language and Literature, GeneralNot reported4
Electrical/Electronic Engineering Technologies/TechniciansNot reported4
MathematicsNot reported2
Engineering, OtherNot reported2
Special Education and TeachingNot reported1
JournalismNot reportedNot reported
Mechanical Engineering Related Technologies/TechniciansNot reportedNot reported
PhysicsNot reportedNot reported
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject AreasNot reportedNot reported
Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied ProfessionsNot reportedNot reported

All 33 bachelor’s programs this college reported.

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