What is the acceptance rate at Norfolk State University?

Norfolk State University's acceptance rate is approximately 88% (Norfolk, VA), based on the most recent figures we compiled from public and primary sources.

What SAT score do you need for Norfolk State University?

Admitted students at Norfolk State University typically score 823–1030 on the SAT (the middle-50% range). Scores outside this band are still admitted, especially with strong applications.

How much does Norfolk State University cost?

At Norfolk State University, the average net price (after aid) is about $15,282 per year. Actual cost varies with financial aid and residency.

How many undergraduates attend Norfolk State University?

Norfolk State University enrolls approximately 5,392 undergraduate students.

Where is Norfolk State University located?

Norfolk State University is located in Norfolk, VA.

Norfolk State University: Acceptance Rate, SAT & Cost — QuantAdmit

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Norfolk State University

Norfolk, VApublicwww.nsu.edu/

Acceptance

88%

SAT 25–75

823–1030

Avg net price

$15,282

Earnings (10 yr)

$44,666

Graduation rate

39%

Admit rate has ranged 87%–92% over the last 5 years. 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.

Norfolk State University, a public HBCU in coastal Virginia, offers an accessible, community-focused education with a strong emphasis on student support and career preparation. Known for its vibrant campus life and 175+ student organizations, NSU combines affordability with a 40% six-year graduation rate and notable alumni earnings—particularly in STEM and business fields.

Admission requirements

Test-optional — scores considered if submitted

Required

High school transcript
Grade point average
Letters of recommendation
TOEFL (non-native English)

Considered (not required)

Class rank
Test scores (SAT/ACT)
College-prep program

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: 5,392
In-state tuition: $10,180
Out-of-state tuition: $21,682
Acceptance Rate: 87.8%
6-Year Grad Rate: 40%
On-Campus Housing: 60%
Student-Faculty Ratio: 15:1
Alumni Median Wage (20 Yrs): $67,116

Outcomes & value

Median earnings (10 yr): $44,666
Value (earnings ÷ net price): 2.9×
Median debt at graduation: $29,000
Graduation rate: 39%
First-year retention: 73%
Reducing loan balance (3 yr): 27%
Pell (lower-income) share: 78%
First-generation share: 37%
Endowment / student: $14,375

Campus & location

Campus safety

On-campus violent crimes (2024): 8
Per 1,000 students: 1.48

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: 112
Summer high: 85°F
Winter low: 39°F
Annual rain: 48.3"
Annual snow: 3"
Natural-hazard risk: Relatively Moderate

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: 170
Scholarly works: 5,100

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: 3.4%
Bottom → top quintile: 17%
From bottom quintile: 21%

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 Norfolk State University?: Norfolk State University's acceptance rate is approximately 88% (Norfolk, VA), based on the most recent figures we compiled from public and primary sources.
What SAT score do you need for Norfolk State University?: Admitted students at Norfolk State University typically score 823–1030 on the SAT (the middle-50% range). Scores outside this band are still admitted, especially with strong applications.
How much does Norfolk State University cost?: At Norfolk State University, the average net price (after aid) is about $15,282 per year. Actual cost varies with financial aid and residency.
How many undergraduates attend Norfolk State University?: Norfolk State University enrolls approximately 5,392 undergraduate students.
Where is Norfolk State University located?: Norfolk State University is located in Norfolk, VA.

Admissions

Norfolk State University maintains an 87.8% acceptance rate, making it one of the more accessible public HBCUs in Virginia. The median admitted student has an SAT score of 880–1010 or ACT score of 16–21, with a minimum 2.3 weighted high school GPA required for consideration. The university actively addresses barriers for Pell-eligible students through initiatives like the Pre-College Enhancement Program, which supports applicants who meet GPA requirements but fall short on standardized test scores.

Application volume: 11,247 applications for Fall 2024, with 9,871 admitted.
Demographics: 91% of students are Black/African American, reflecting its HBCU mission.
Test-flexible: SAT/ACT scores are considered but not rigidly emphasized for admission.

datausa.io catalog.nsu.edu prepscholar.com nsu.edu rga.lis.virginia.gov