Norfolk State University
#2 Best HBCUs for Psychology- Graduation Rate
- 36% D
- Lower completion rate than most colleges
- Earnings (10yr)
- $44,666 C+
- Roughly in line with national averages
- Net Price
- $15,282 C+
- Close to the national average
- Acceptance Rate
- 88% D+
- Accessible to most qualified applicants
Bottom line: A C overall grade — average outcomes for a U.S. college. 21.7× return on investment — every $1 spent returns $21.7 over 20 years. Ranked #2 in Best HBCUs for Psychology.
Every $1 spent returns $21.7 over 20 years — debt pays back in ~under a year. Net gain: $1,263,748.
What The Data Says
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A C overall — outcomes trail most U.S. colleges on measured metrics.
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Graduation of 36% — 38% below the national average.
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Social mobility rate of 3.44% — an engine of upward economic mobility.
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Every $1 invested returns $21.7 over 20 years — an exceptional return.
Why Norfolk State University Matters
Norfolk State University is a public university in Norfolk, 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
- Public University
- Carnegie Class
- Master's University
- Enrollment
- 5,392
- Setting
- Urban
- Designations
- HBCU
- Primary Strengths
- Business & Marketing, Health Professions, Psychology, Social Sciences
Why students choose Norfolk State 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
Accessible — admits about 88% of applicants, with a middle-50% SAT of 823–1030. Run your numbers in the admissions predictor below.
Check your odds →Net price + aid
Students pay about $15,282 a year after grants and scholarships — 11% below the typical U.S. college. See net price by family income below.
See cost & aid →Earnings + debt
Graduates earn a median of $44,666 ten years after enrolling — 10% above the typical college, against $29,000 in median debt.
See outcomes →Mobility + social capital
Moves 3.4% of its students from the bottom income fifth to the top — top 6% nationally for mobility. High social capital (1.26 economic connectedness).
See mobility →Overview
Norfolk State University is a good fit for students looking for an accessible public university experience, with an acceptance rate of 88%. This openness invites a diverse student body, allowing people from various backgrounds to pursue their interests. Students here can dive into programs like Business and Marketing, Psychology, and Health Professions, making it a solid choice for those aiming for careers in growing fields.
After graduation, students can expect to earn around $44,666 within a decade. This earning potential reflects the university's focus on market-relevant programs. The affordability also stands out, especially for those who qualify for Pell Grants, as about 65% of students do. This financial support can be crucial for many who are navigating their paths after college.
When it comes to the practical aspects of attending Norfolk State, the net price after aid is about $15,282, while the median debt stands at $29,000. This means we need to consider how to manage that debt effectively. Generally, students who thrive here are those who take advantage of resources and support services, as well as those who are proactive in their studies and engagement on campus.
Rankings
Can I Get In?
How selective Norfolk State 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 Norfolk State University? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Norfolk State University, located in Norfolk, Virginia, admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 88%. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 927. The graduation rate is roughly 36%.
- Acceptance Rate
- 88%
- Retention Rate
- 73%
- SAT Average
- 927
- ACT Midpoint
- 18
- SAT Range
- 823–1030
- ACT Range
- 16–22
- Full-Time Faculty
- 54%
- Faculty Salary (mo)
- $9,767
- Student–Faculty Ratio
- 18:1
- Diversity Index
- 0.35
- First-Gen Students
- 37%
- Applicants
- 8,884
- Admitted
- 7,951
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 Norfolk State University? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Norfolk State University is $21,682, 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 $15,282. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $12,804 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $29,000 in federal student loans.
- In-State Tuition
- $10,180
- Out-of-State
- $21,682
- Avg Net Price
- $15,282
- Median Debt
- $29,000
- Pell Grant Rate
- 65%
- Federal Loan Rate
- 64%
What Families Actually Pay
- Family Income $0–$30K
- $12,804
- Family Income $30K–$48K
- $13,905
- Family Income $48K–$75K
- $15,507
- Family Income $110K+
- $26,175
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 Norfolk State 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 Norfolk State University Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Norfolk State University report median earnings of $44,666, a figure worth comparing against the cost of attendance before enrolling.
- 6 Years After Entry
- $33,412
- 8 Years
- $40,645
- 10 Years
- $44,666
- Debt-to-Earnings
- 0.65x
- Earning > $25K
- 50%
Earnings Trajectory
Graduation by Timeframe
- 100% (91)
- 17%
- 100% (91)
- 17%
- 100% (91)
- 17%
- 100% (91)
- 17%
How Norfolk 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 Norfolk State University Worth It?
A data-driven look at the return on your educational investment — using real federal data.
Yes — for most students, Norfolk State University delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $15,282/year ($61,128 total). Graduates earn $44,666 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $1,324,876 in total earnings — a net gain of $1,263,748 (21.7× your investment). The median debt is $29,000, which takes less than a year to pay back at typical earnings. With a 36% graduation rate, the path to that return is well-tested. This is a exceptional ROI compared to national averages.
- Total Cost (4yr)
- $61,128
- Projected 20yr Earnings
- $1,324,876
- Net Return
- $1,263,748
- ROI Multiple
- 21.7×
- Cost Per Year
- $15,282
- Median Debt
- $29,000
- Debt Payback
- Less than 1 yr
- Graduation Rate
- 36%
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 Norfolk State University Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Norfolk State 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 3.44%, among the highest in the country. Access is a real strength here. Roughly 20.6% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile, a high share that gives low-income students a real foothold. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 16.7% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $48,000, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
- Mobility Rate
- 3.44%
- Bottom 20% → Top 20%
- Success Rate
- 16.7%
- If bottom 20% get in
- From Bottom 20%
- 20.6%
- Share of students
- Parent Median Income
- $65,215
- today's $ (2015 cohort data)
Institutional Finances
Data: NCES IPEDS
- Investment Income
- $26,941
Top Programs
The fields Norfolk State 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 15%
- Health Professions 13%
- Psychology 13%
- Social Sciences 9%
- Communications 7%
- Biology & Biomedical 6%
- Computer Science & IT 5% $69,962 early-career
- Visual & Performing Arts 5%
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 Norfolk State 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
- C+Cloud Architect$142,000 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- B-Site Reliability Engineer$140,000 · 20% growthAdaptable 52
- CAdvertising Manager$138,730 · 6% growthAdaptable 64
- CSolutions Architect$138,000 · 12% growthAdaptable 52
- CHR Manager$136,350 · 5% growthAdaptable 64
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Hard to Get Into Norfolk State University? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Norfolk State University, located in Norfolk, Virginia, admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 88%. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 927. The graduation rate is roughly 36%.
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Norfolk State University? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Norfolk State University is $21,682, 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 $15,282. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $12,804 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $29,000 in federal student loans.
Is Norfolk State University Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Norfolk State University report median earnings of $44,666, a figure worth comparing against the cost of attendance before enrolling.
Does Norfolk State University Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Norfolk State 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 3.44%, among the highest in the country. Access is a real strength here. Roughly 20.6% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile, a high share that gives low-income students a real foothold. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 16.7% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $48,000, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
How Connected Is Norfolk State 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 Norfolk State University. Its economic connectedness score is 1.26, 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 3% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Similar Schools
Schools with similar outcomes, selectivity, and student profiles to Norfolk State University.
- Purdue University Fort WayneFort Wayne, IN · Close peer34% grad $45,872 earn 84% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- North Carolina Central UniversityDurham, NC · Close peer44% grad $42,968 earn 87% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Northwestern State University of LouisianaNatchitoches, LA · Close peer44% grad $47,021 earn 93% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- University of Louisiana at MonroeMonroe, LA · Close peer52% grad $46,769 earn 85% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar size
- Virginia State UniversityPetersburg, VA · Close peer40% grad $45,543 earn 89% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Augusta UniversityAugusta, GA · Close peer49% grad $48,472 earn 86% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar size
Social Capital
Data: Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
How Connected Is Norfolk State 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 Norfolk State University. Its economic connectedness score is 1.26, 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 3% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Research Note