NSU Rankings and Evaluation

Virginia Colleges

#21 in Virginia Colleges

Federal Region III

#20 in Federal Region III

Norfolk State University is ranked 21^st in Virginia Colleges and 20^th in Federal Region III.

The following statements evaluate Norfolk State University by comparing key academic facts to Public, 4-Years Colleges in Virginia.

Its tuition & fees of $21,682 is inexpensive compared to similar schools.
The acceptance rate (88%) is higher (easy to get in).
The SAT & ACT scores (915 SAT, 19 ACT) is lower.
It has very small number of students of 6,053.
The financial aid amount ($12,969) is extremely higher.
It offers fewer area of study (56 programs).

Undergraduate Tuition & Fees

The 2025 undergraduate tuition & fees of NSU are $21,682 (out-of-state rate) and it is inexpensive compared to Public, 4-Years Colleges in Virginia.

Norfolk State University $21,682

All U.S. Colleges $17,692

Public, 4-Years Colleges $18,895

4-Years Colleges $22,926

Public, 4-Years Colleges in Virginia $32,651

Graduate Tuition & Fees

The 2025 graduate tuition & fees of NSU are $25,826 (out-of-state rate) and it is average compared to Public, 4-Years Colleges in Virginia.

Norfolk State University $25,826

All U.S. Colleges $18,842

Public, 4-Years Colleges $20,343

4-Years Colleges $18,848

Public, 4-Years Colleges in Virginia $27,300

Acceptance Rate

The acceptance rate of NSU is 88% and it is higher (easy to get in) compared to Public, 4-Years Colleges in Virginia.

Norfolk State University 88%

All U.S. Colleges 69%

Public, 4-Years Colleges 72%

4-Years Colleges 68%

Public, 4-Years Colleges in Virginia 73%

Yield (Enrollment Rate)

The yield, also known as enrollment rate, of NSU is 13% and the yield is much lower (admitted, but not enrolled) compared to Public, 4-Years Colleges in Virginia.

Norfolk State University 13%

All U.S. Colleges 37%

Public, 4-Years Colleges 32%

4-Years Colleges 35%

Public, 4-Years Colleges in Virginia 28%

SAT Scores

The average SAT score submitted by enrolled students at NSU is 915 and it is lower compared to Public, 4-Years Colleges in Virginia.

Norfolk State University 915

All U.S. Colleges 1,123

Public, 4-Years Colleges 1,112

4-Years Colleges 1,124

Public, 4-Years Colleges in Virginia 1,167

ACT Scores

The average ACT score submitted by enrolled students at NSU is 19 and it is lower compared to Public, 4-Years Colleges in Virginia.

Norfolk State University 19

All U.S. Colleges 68

Public, 4-Years Colleges 67

4-Years Colleges 68

Public, 4-Years Colleges in Virginia 75

Graduation Rate

The average graduation rate at NSU is 38% and it is lower (less completion rate) compared to Public, 4-Years Colleges in Virginia.

Norfolk State University 38%

All U.S. Colleges 56%

Public, 4-Years Colleges 48%

4-Years Colleges 51%

Public, 4-Years Colleges in Virginia 67%

Transfer-out Rate

The average transfer-out rate at NSU is 1% and it is much lower (most first-time students continue to attend) compared to Public, 4-Years Colleges in Virginia.

Norfolk State University 1%

All U.S. Colleges 21%

Public, 4-Years Colleges 23%

4-Years Colleges 24%

Public, 4-Years Colleges in Virginia 19%

Retention Rate

The average retention rate at NSU is 73% and it is average compared to Public, 4-Years Colleges in Virginia.

Norfolk State University 73%

All U.S. Colleges 69%

Public, 4-Years Colleges 74%

4-Years Colleges 73%

Public, 4-Years Colleges in Virginia 83%

Student Population

The total student population at NSU is 6,053 and its population very small compared to Public, 4-Years Colleges in Virginia.

Norfolk State University 6,053

All U.S. Colleges 2,931

Public, 4-Years Colleges 11,396

4-Years Colleges 4,686

Public, 4-Years Colleges in Virginia 12,989

Financial Aid Amount

The average amount of financial aid received at NSU is $12,969 which is 59.81% of tuition & fees. The rate of the financial aid over its tuition is extremely higher compared to Public, 4-Years Colleges in Virginia.