Hampton University
#3 Best HBCUs for Social Work- Graduation Rate
- 56% C
- About half of students who start complete their degree
- Earnings (10yr)
- $59,159 B+
- Well above the typical college graduate
- Net Price
- $25,319 D
- 48% more than the typical college
- Acceptance Rate
- 62% B
- Accessible to most qualified applicants
Bottom line: A C overall grade — average outcomes for a U.S. college. 18.4× return on investment — every $1 spent returns $18.4 over 20 years. Ranked #3 in Best HBCUs for Social Work.
Every $1 spent returns $18.4 over 20 years — debt pays back in ~under a year. Net gain: $1,763,316.
What The Data Says
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A C overall — outcomes trail most U.S. colleges on measured metrics.
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Earnings 45% above the national college median.
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Social mobility rate of 2.14% — an engine of upward economic mobility.
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Every $1 invested returns $18.4 over 20 years — an exceptional return.
Why Hampton University Matters
Hampton University is a private doctoral / professional university in Hampton, VA and its outcomes are not an accident. They are driven by a well-connected, high-opportunity alumni network and a strong record of moving students up the income ladder. The result: graduate earnings well above the typical college.
Interpretation generated from this school's federal outcomes, research, and mobility data.
Institutional Profile
- Institution Type
- Private Doctoral / Professional University
- Carnegie Class
- Doctoral/Professional
- Enrollment
- 3,727
- Setting
- Suburban
- Designations
- HBCU
- Primary Strengths
- Business & Marketing, Psychology, Health Professions, Biology & Biomedical
Why students choose Hampton University
CollegeRanker Report Card
Graded on outcomes, against every U.S. college.
Each grade is this school's national percentile on a real outcome — earnings, value, mobility, and more.
How we grade →Admissions
Competitive — admits about 62% of applicants, with a middle-50% SAT of 790–1090. Run your numbers in the admissions predictor below.
Check your odds →Net price + aid
Students pay about $25,319 a year after grants and scholarships — 48% above the typical U.S. college. See net price by family income below.
See cost & aid →Earnings + debt
Graduates earn a median of $59,159 ten years after enrolling — 45% above the typical college, against $25,442 in median debt.
See outcomes →Mobility + social capital
Moves 2.1% of its students from the bottom income fifth to the top — top 24% nationally for mobility. High social capital (1.62 economic connectedness).
See mobility →Overview
Hampton University is a solid choice for students seeking a close-knit environment with a focus on professional fields. With an enrollment of 3,727, it strikes a balance between personal attention and diverse academic offerings. Students here often dive into popular areas like Business and Marketing, Communications, Biology, Psychology, and Criminal Justice. This variety equips graduates with skills tailored to today's job market.
When it comes to life after graduation, the numbers look promising. Graduates can expect to earn around $59,159 within ten years of finishing their degree. This is a respectable figure that suggests students are stepping into fulfilling careers. Although the acceptance rate is 62%, and the graduation rate sits at 56%, those who complete their degrees appear to find a solid footing in their respective fields.
Looking at the financial side, the net price after aid stands at $25,319, which is fairly manageable considering the median debt of $25,442. This level of debt is on par for many students, and the 39% of recipients who receive Pell Grants reflects a commitment to supporting lower-income students. Those who thrive at Hampton University tend to be motivated individuals ready to engage deeply with their studies and community, setting themselves up for success in both academics and their future careers.
Rankings
Can I Get In?
How selective Hampton University is — and how your numbers stack up.
Tool
Will I Be Accepted?
Enter your credentials to see your chances at this school.
Academics & Admissions
Is It Hard to Get Into Hampton University? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Based in Hampton, Virginia, Hampton University offers a realistic path to admission, with roughly 62% of applicants receiving an offer. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 969. The graduation rate is roughly 56%.
- Acceptance Rate
- 62%
- Retention Rate
- 85%
- SAT Average
- 969
- SAT Range
- 790–1090
- ACT Range
- 13–22
- Full-Time Faculty
- 100%
- Faculty Salary (mo)
- $8,778
- Student–Faculty Ratio
- 13:1
- Diversity Index
- 0.06
- First-Gen Students
- 20%
- Applicants
- 15,009
- Admitted
- 11,177
Can I Afford It?
What you'll actually pay after grants and aid — not the sticker price.
Cost & Financial Aid
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Hampton University? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Hampton University is $30,592, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $25,319. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $32,101 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $25,442 in federal student loans.
- In-State Tuition
- $30,592
- Out-of-State
- $30,592
- Avg Net Price
- $25,319
- Median Debt
- $25,442
- Pell Grant Rate
- 39%
- Federal Loan Rate
- 56%
What Families Actually Pay
- Family Income $0–$30K
- $32,101
- Family Income $30K–$48K
- $14,207
- Family Income $48K–$75K
- $14,305
- Family Income $110K+
- $31,528
What Happens After?
Earnings, debt, and where graduates actually land.
Students Like You
Tell us a little about yourself to see what students like you have typically experienced at Hampton University — the net price for your income, your admission odds, and the outcomes that follow. These are patterns from federal data, not predictions.
Graduate Outcomes
Is Hampton University Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Hampton University earn a median of $59,159, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
- 6 Years After Entry
- $42,721
- 8 Years
- $53,813
- 10 Years
- $59,159
- Debt-to-Earnings
- 0.43x
- Earning > $25K
- 65%
Earnings Trajectory
Graduation by Timeframe
- 100% (347)
- 44%
- 100% (347)
- 44%
- 100% (347)
- 44%
- 100% (347)
- 44%
How Hampton Compares
Dot right of center = above national average.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after aid, by income bracket.
The Mobility Equation
Mobility = Access x Success. How many low-income students get in, and how many reach the top 20%?
College ROI Calculator
Is Hampton University Worth It?
A data-driven look at the return on your educational investment — using real federal data.
Yes — for most students, Hampton University delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $25,319/year ($101,276 total). Graduates earn $59,159 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $1,864,592 in total earnings — a net gain of $1,763,316 (18.4× your investment). The median debt is $25,442, which takes less than a year to pay back at typical earnings. With a 56% graduation rate, the path to that return is well-tested. This is a exceptional ROI compared to national averages.
- Total Cost (4yr)
- $101,276
- Projected 20yr Earnings
- $1,864,592
- Net Return
- $1,763,316
- ROI Multiple
- 18.4×
- Cost Per Year
- $25,319
- Median Debt
- $25,442
- Debt Payback
- Less than 1 yr
- Graduation Rate
- 56%
Does It Change Lives?
Mobility, social capital, and innovation — does it move people up?
Social Mobility
Data: Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card · 30M+ anonymized tax records
Does Hampton University Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Hampton University is a genuine engine of upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 2.14%, among the highest in the country. About 8% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 26.9% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $79,500, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
- Mobility Rate
- 2.14%
- Bottom 20% → Top 20%
- Success Rate
- 26.9%
- If bottom 20% get in
- From Bottom 20%
- 8.0%
- Share of students
- Parent Median Income
- $108,013
- today's $ (2015 cohort data)
Institutional Finances
Data: NCES IPEDS
- Investment Income
- $-66,802,488
Top Programs
The fields Hampton University awards the most degrees in, by share of completions. Where federal field-of-study data exists, we show what graduates in that major earned early in their careers. Each links to its degree guide — or see what someone with your income, scores, and major would pay and earn here in the Students Like You simulator.
- Business & Marketing 20% $48,104 early-career
- Psychology 11% $36,992 early-career
- Health Professions 11% $73,500 early-career
- Biology & Biomedical 9% $33,550 early-career
- Communications 8% $35,271 early-career
- Humanities 7% $33,980 early-career
- Social Sciences 7% $43,954 early-career
- Criminal Justice 5% $35,271 early-career
Early-career median earnings by major (typically 1–2 years after completion, bachelor's level where available), in today's dollars (CPI-adjusted). Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard field of study. Distinct from the school-wide 10-year median; suppressed for small programs.
Top Careers
Where these majors tend to lead — common career paths for Hampton University's most popular programs, ranked by median pay with our proprietary scorecard insights.
- CChief Executive Officer$189,520 · 3% growthAdaptable 64
- C+IT Manager$169,510 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- C+Marketing Manager$156,580 · 8% growthAdaptable 64
- CAdvertising Manager$138,730 · 6% growthAdaptable 64
- CHR Manager$136,350 · 5% growthAdaptable 64
- CPharmacist$136,030 · 3% growthResilient 82
- CSales Manager$135,160 · 4% growthAdaptable 64
- B-Optometrist$131,860 · 9% growthResilient 96
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Hard to Get Into Hampton University? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Based in Hampton, Virginia, Hampton University offers a realistic path to admission, with roughly 62% of applicants receiving an offer. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 969. The graduation rate is roughly 56%.
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Hampton University? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Hampton University is $30,592, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $25,319. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $32,101 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $25,442 in federal student loans.
Is Hampton University Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Hampton University earn a median of $59,159, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
Does Hampton University Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Hampton University is a genuine engine of upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 2.14%, among the highest in the country. About 8% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 26.9% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $79,500, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
How Connected Is Hampton University? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at Hampton University. Its economic connectedness score is 1.62, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.02), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 4% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Similar Schools
Schools with similar outcomes, selectivity, and student profiles to Hampton University.
- Mercer UniversityMacon, GA · Close peer72% grad $58,354 earn 69% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar size
- University of New HavenWest Haven, CT · Close peer61% grad $60,126 earn 60% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Touro UniversityNew York, NY · Close peer68% grad $53,419 earn 61% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar size
- Abilene Christian UniversityAbilene, TX · Close peer60% grad $55,736 earn 66% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Rider UniversityLawrenceville, NJ · Close peer62% grad $62,208 earn 79% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
- York College of PennsylvaniaYork, PA · Close peer62% grad $61,012 earn 74% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
Social Capital
Data: Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
How Connected Is Hampton University? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at Hampton University. Its economic connectedness score is 1.62, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.02), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 4% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Research Note