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Norfolk State University
Admission at Norfolk State University is close to open (87.8%), which shifts the homework to outcomes: check the $44,666 median earnings below before the application.
Not sure where you stand? Estimate your GPA →
Norfolk State University sits in Norfolk proper — a public campus woven into the city rather than walled off from it. It is one of the nation's historically Black colleges and universities, a designation that shapes both its history and its present mission.
65% of undergraduates carry Pell grants — a plain read on who the campus actually serves. With 5,392 undergraduates and a residential core, weekends happen on campus — and 72.6% of first-years come back for a second year.
Submitters admitted here typically landed between 840 and 1100 — below the VA middle for four-year schools. Put your own practice estimate on Norfolk State University's range with the SAT calculator, or bring a saved GPA from the grade tools.
Admissions
In the Fall 2023 cycle, Norfolk State University received 10,211 applications and admitted 8,931 (87.5%), with 1,503 enrolling.
Scores help here but aren't the gate. If your SAT sits inside the 840–1100 submitter range, sending it likely helps; below it, Norfolk State University's own policy says you can leave it out.
| Score | 25th | 50th | 75th |
|---|---|---|---|
| SAT Reading & Writing | 430 | 510 | 575 |
| SAT Math | 410 | 470 | 525 |
| ACT Composite | 16 | 18 | 21 |
Percentiles are among students who submitted scores (Fall 2023 admissions cycle).
How Norfolk State University compares
| Norfolk State University | Virginia median | National median | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Acceptance rate | 87.8% | 83.1% | 77.2% |
| Tuition (in-state) | $10,180 | $21,650 | $19,591 |
| Median earnings (10 yr) | $44,666 | $53,453 | $53,781 |
At $44,666, ten-year earnings trail the state median ($53,453). Look at Norfolk State University's major-level rows below before reading too much into the campus-wide number.
Cost, size & completion
In-state students pay $10,180 in tuition; crossing a state border raises that to $21,682. For non-residents, Norfolk State University's $21,682 is the number to weigh against private options before assuming public means cheaper.
At 5,392 undergrads, Norfolk State University is a mid-sized campus by U.S. standards.
Fewer than half of Norfolk State University students — 38.5% — finish within six years. That number should shape how much debt feels safe.
Frequently asked questions
What GPA and test scores do you need for Norfolk State University?
Among admitted students who submitted scores, the middle 50% scored 840–1100 on the SAT. There's no published GPA cutoff — pair these ranges with the 87.8% admission rate to judge your odds.
What is Norfolk State University's acceptance rate?
87.5% in the Fall 2023 cycle — 8,931 admitted from 10,211 applicants.
How much does Norfolk State University cost?
In-state tuition is $10,180; out-of-state students pay $21,682. Fees, housing and aid move the real total in both directions.
What do Norfolk State University graduates earn?
Federal data puts median earnings at $44,666 ten years after enrolling.
Similar colleges in Virginia
- Old Dominion University — 90.4% admitted
- Marymount University — 93.2% admitted
- Centra College — 100% admitted
- Radford University — 89.5% admitted
Run your own numbers
Data: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard (Jun 2026), IPEDS ADM2023/HD2024. Retrieved 2026-09-01. Figures reflect the latest federal cohorts, which lag the current admissions cycle.