Admit rate has ranged 36%–80% over the last 5 years — notably volatile. Source: IPEDS via Urban Institute.
Acceptance & SAT from Common Data Set / IPEDS; net price, earnings & graduation from the U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard. Figures lag ~1–2 years — verify with the school.
Hampton University, a prestigious private HBCU in Virginia, blends rigorous academics with a tight-knit, historically rich campus culture. Known for its strong programs in journalism, engineering, and business, Hampton offers a 'home by the sea' vibe where 74% of students live on campus and over 55 student organizations fuel a lively, community-focused experience. With a 62% acceptance rate and a recent surge in graduation rates, it’s a place where tradition meets upward mobility.
Admission requirements
Test-optional — scores considered if submitted
Required
High school transcript
Grade point average
Letters of recommendation
College-prep program
TOEFL (non-native English)
Considered (not required)
Test scores (SAT/ACT)
Source: IPEDS Admissions survey (2022) via Urban Institute. Covers formal factors only — it does not reflect essays, extracurriculars, or other holistic criteria.
More details
Undergrad enrollment
3,727
In-state tuition
$30,592
Out-of-state tuition
$30,592
Top Majors
Journalism, Psychology, Engineering
Median Debt
$25k
HBCU Ranking
Top 10 (U.S. News)
Campus Housing
74% live on-campus
Acceptance Rate
62%
Graduation Rate
64% (6-year)
Student Organizations
55+
Outcomes & value
Outcomes & value
Median earnings (10 yr)
$59,159
Value (earnings ÷ net price)
2.3×
Median debt at graduation
$25,442
Graduation rate
57%
First-year retention
85%
Reducing loan balance (3 yr)
43%
Pell (lower-income) share
55%
First-generation share
20%
Endowment / student
$64,721
Financial health
2.3 / 3.0Meets the federal financial-responsibility standard
U.S. Dept. of Education Financial Responsibility Composite Score (FY2022-23). Scale −1.0 to 3.0; ≥1.5 meets the standard. Reported for private nonprofit & for-profit institutions only — public universities are state-backed and not scored, so this is a stability signal, not a ranking.
Top-earning majors
Median earnings by field of study (highest credential), ~2 years after completion.
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing$61,859
Accounting and Related Services$40,485
Business Administration, Management and Operations$39,369
Political Science and Government$36,992
Marketing$33,993
Psychology, General
Campus & location
Campus safety
On-campus violent crimes (2024)
2
Per 1,000 students
0.54
On-campus criminal offenses classed as violent (murder/non-negligent manslaughter, rape, robbery, aggravated assault) for the most recent reported year. Source: U.S. Dept. of Education Campus Safety and Security (Clery Act). Counts reflect what’s reported to the school, and urban campuses often report more partly due to non-student incidents nearby — read alongside campus size and setting, not as a standalone safety verdict.
Climate
Pleasant days / yr
107
Summer high
86°F
Winter low
39°F
Annual rain
45.1"
Annual snow
3.5"
Natural-hazard risk
Relatively Low
Pleasant days counts days per year with a mean temperature of 55–75°F, a high at or below 90°F, a low at or above 45°F, and little precipitation — a transparent comfort measure, not a weighting we invented. Computed from Open-Meteo ERA5 daily history (2019–2023). Natural-hazard risk is the county’s composite rating from the FEMA National Risk Index.
Deep dive — research, future-scholar output & economic mobility▾
Research output
Institutional h-index
276
Scholarly works
6,703
Institutional research volume and impact from OpenAlex. The h-index reflects large research universities and will be low for teaching-focused liberal-arts colleges — not a measure of undergraduate quality.
Economic mobility
Mobility rate
2.1%
Bottom → top quintile
27%
From bottom quintile
8%
Mobility rate = the share of students who both start in the bottom household-income quintile and reach the top quintile; bottom → top is that chance conditional on starting at the bottom. Source: Opportunity Insights Mobility Report Cards (Chetty, Friedman, Saez, Turner & Yagan). Reflects 1980–82 birth cohorts, so it’s directional, not current.
Quick answers
What is the acceptance rate at Hampton University?
Hampton University's acceptance rate is approximately 62% (Hampton, VA), based on the most recent figures we compiled from public and primary sources.
What SAT score do you need for Hampton University?
Admitted students at Hampton University typically score 790–1090 on the SAT (the middle-50% range). Scores outside this band are still admitted, especially with strong applications.
How much does Hampton University cost?
At Hampton University, the average net price (after aid) is about $25,319 per year. Actual cost varies with financial aid and residency.
How many undergraduates attend Hampton University?
Hampton University enrolls approximately 3,727 undergraduate students.
Where is Hampton University located?
Hampton University is located in Hampton, VA.
Admissions
Hampton University admits 62% of applicants, with 11,133 students accepted out of 17,885 applications in 2024. The middle 50% of admitted students score between 990–1170 on the SAT or 15–22 on the ACT, and 32% have a GPA of 3.75 or higher. Top-performing students (GPA ≥ 3.60 or top 10% of their class) can opt out of submitting test scores. Notably, 78% of enrolled students come from out of state, reflecting Hampton’s national draw among HBCU seekers.
Hampton offers 80+ programs across fields like Engineering, Journalism, and Business, with standout popularity in Broadcast Journalism (7% of majors) and Psychology (7%). Its School of Engineering, Architecture, and Aviation is a particular strength, alongside a from U.S. News. Students praise frequent corporate recruitment visits and biannual career fairs, with Reddit users noting: The university’s museum—the —anchors its commitment to cultural scholarship.
Earnings = median of students working ~10 years after entry; debt = median of graduates. Value divides 10-yr earnings by one year’s net price — read it as earnings per dollar of annual cost, not a full lifetime ROI; it favors lower-cost schools. Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard. Figures lag ~2 years and reflect all students, not your intended major.
$31,133
Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication$29,685
Criminal Justice and Corrections$29,685
Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard (field-of-study earnings). Figures cover graduates who received federal aid and lag ~2 years; not all programs report data.
Top 10 HBCU ranking
'There are plenty of academic opportunities... internship opportunities [are abundant].'
Life at Hampton revolves around its residential campus (74% live on-site) and 55+ student organizations, from professional clubs to cultural groups. The vibe is 'chill but never boring', per Reddit, with a small-campus feel bolstered by traditions like homecoming and the historic Hampton University Museum. Athletics (Division I) and Greek life add to the energy, while the waterfront location near the Chesapeake Bay invites sailing and seaside hangs. 'There’s always something to do,' students say—whether it’s a networking event or a spontaneous dorm gathering.
Hampton’s six-year graduation rate rose from 54% to 64% between 2022–2025, outpacing national trends. Alumni median earnings hit $43k at 6 years post-graduation and $59k at 10 years, though 57% take on debt (average $25k). The university aims for an 80–90% graduation rate long-term, emphasizing retention programs like mentorship and academic support. Recent enrollment surged 46%, signaling growing appeal—particularly among students seeking HBCU camaraderie and career pipelines.
Tuition runs $44,241 net price after aid, with 57% of students receiving financial assistance (average package: $3,784). The university offers merit scholarships for high-achievers (GPA ≥ 3.60) and need-based grants, encouraging applicants to use its Net Price Calculator for personalized estimates. While costs are steep, Hampton frames it as an investment: alumni earnings outpace many regional peers, and the tight-knit alumni network opens doors in fields like media and STEM.
Hampton merges HBCU tradition with academic ambition—think Top 10 rankings, a historic museum, and NASA-partnered engineering programs. Its 62% acceptance rate makes it more accessible than elite peers, yet outcomes are climbing fast. The ‘home by the sea’ vibe (complete with oyster bakes and waterfront sunsets) fosters community, while 78% out-of-state enrollment proves its national pull. For students craving culture, career prep, and crab legs, Hampton delivers.
Hampton University logo · sourceHampton University - Virginia Private Colleges · sourceHampton University Campus - Visit Hampton · sourceHampton University · source
