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Norfolk State University

#1246 in US ranking Norfolk, VA
Type:
Public
Programs:
4 years or more

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Cost

Cost / year
$26,026
Tuition & fees
$10,456
Avg. aid
$12,969
Receiving aid
94%

Admissions

Acceptance rate
88%
SAT range
823–1030
ACT range
16–22

Outcomes

Graduation rate
38%
Median salary
$40,122
1 yr after graduation

What is the accreditation of Norfolk State University?

Norfolk State University is institutionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges, or SACSCOC, to award degrees. Institutional accreditation applies to the university as a whole; it is distinct from accreditation that a particular professional program may hold.

This distinction matters in fields such as nursing, education, engineering, and social work, where program approval or accreditation can affect licensing, certification, or employer requirements. Applicants should verify the status of their exact program and intended credential with the relevant department and licensing authority. Institutional accreditation is also relevant to federal financial-aid eligibility and transfer-credit review, although another college decides whether individual credits satisfy its own degree requirements.

What are the admission requirements at Norfolk State University?

First-year applicants to Norfolk State generally apply with evidence of high school completion or an equivalent credential and a secondary-school transcript. Admissions reporting identifies the secondary-school record and GPA as required information. Recommendations are also identified as required, so applicants should check the current application instructions for who may submit them and how.

Norfolk State is not an open-admission institution, but its reported first-year admission rate was about 88% for the referenced admissions cycle. SAT and ACT scores were considered rather than universally required in that reporting. Only a small share of enrolled first-year students submitted either test, so score statistics describe test submitters, not the entering class as a whole. English-proficiency documentation may apply to international applicants, and certain majors may impose additional requirements. Applicants should use the requirements and deadlines for their own entry term and applicant category.

What are the application fees and waivers at Norfolk State University?

The reported undergraduate application fee for Norfolk State is $25. Applicants should confirm the charge displayed for their specific application before submitting it, since fees and application routes can change.

A fee waiver is different from financial aid awarded after admission. An applicant who cannot afford the fee should ask admissions about eligibility and the required waiver documentation before paying or submitting an application that requires payment. Transfer, graduate, and special-program applicants should check the instructions for their own application rather than assume the undergraduate fee or waiver procedure applies to them.

What types of ROTC programs are available at Norfolk State University?

Norfolk State reports on-campus Army ROTC and Navy ROTC opportunities. Students considering either branch should confirm the current course and training arrangements with the respective ROTC staff, especially where activities are coordinated with other Hampton Roads institutions.

ROTC participation is not the same as receiving an ROTC scholarship. Scholarship eligibility, medical and fitness standards, citizenship rules, and any eventual service obligation depend on the branch and the student's participation or contract status. A prospective cadet or midshipman should review those terms before committing and ask how ROTC courses fit into the intended degree schedule.

What are the requirements for transfer students at Norfolk State University?

Norfolk State accepts transfer applications and generally considers credits earned at other accredited institutions. Transfer students may enter in fall, spring, or summer, subject to the applicable admissions calendar. Applicants should expect to provide official transcripts from every college attended and check whether their circumstances also require high school records.

Admission and transfer-credit acceptance are separate decisions: a course may transfer without satisfying a particular major requirement. Norfolk State also reports accepting AP credit and certain examination credit, including CLEP and DSST/DANTES, under its credit-award policies. Before enrolling, transfer applicants should request an official evaluation showing how previous work applies to general education, major requirements, and the total credits needed for graduation. Program prerequisites and any minimum number of credits that must be earned at Norfolk State deserve particular attention.

What types of study abroad programs are available at Norfolk State University?

Norfolk State students interested in studying abroad should begin with university international-program advising and their academic department. The central planning issue is whether courses taken elsewhere will receive advance approval and count toward the student's degree.

Options may differ in length, destination, provider, and availability from year to year. Students comparing a short-term experience with a semester abroad should ask who operates the program, how credits will appear on the transcript, what travel and insurance costs apply, and whether their financial aid or scholarships can be used. Advance planning is especially important in tightly sequenced majors or programs with required clinical and field placements.

Norfolk State University Admissions Factors

SAT range
823–1030
4001600
ACT range
16–22
136
Acceptance rate
88%

Acceptance rate vs. median

This school
88%
Virginia
81.5%
US
78%

13% of admitted students enrolled (1,305 of 9,871)

Norfolk State University Admissions

Applicants
Total: 11,247
Admission
Total: 9,871
Enrolled
Total: 1,305
Women
Men

How to Apply to Norfolk State University

Regular application deadline

May 31

Application fee

$25

Early Decision

No

Early Action

No

Norfolk State University First-Year Students

Where first-year students come from

In-state: 846
Out-of-state: 21
International: 200

Freshmen vs. transfer students

Freshmen: 1,305
Transfer: 295

Norfolk State University Admission Requirements

Median composite SAT score

972

Median composite ACT score

18

Percent of students submitting ACT scores

1%

Percent of students submitting SAT scores

9%

High school completions

General Educational Development (GED) required

Computer purchase/lease plan is available in the institution

Yes

Secondary school GPA

Required

Secondary school rank

Considered but not required

Secondary school record

Required

Completion of college-preparatory program

Considered but not required

Recommendations

Required

Formal demonstration of competencies

Neither required nor recommended

Admission test scores

Considered but not required

TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language

Required

Other Test (Wonderlic, WISC-III, etc.)

Neither required nor recommended

Open admission policy

No

Dual credit

No

Credit for life experiences

Yes

Advanced placement (AP) credits

Yes

Special learning opportunities

Orientation program

Yes

ROTC-Army

ROTC branch unit on campus

ROTC-Navy

ROTC branch unit on campus

Study abroad

Yes

Weekend/evening college

Yes

Student can complete their preparation in certain areas of specialization

Yes

Preparation at another institution required

No

Approved by the state for initial certification or licensure of teacher

Yes

Norfolk State University Transfer Acceptance Rate

Generally accepts credits

Yes

Accept ACE recommendation for credit

Yes

Possible transfer

Fall, Spring, Summer

Data last updated on November 5, 2026

Data sources: IPEDS 2024-25, Peterson 2026, College Scorecard 10/2026, Clery 2024 (2023-24), OpenAlex 2026

Figures on this profile come from federal and third-party datasets in the editions listed above and are refreshed periodically, so they may differ from what the institution currently reports. Confirm costs, deadlines and requirements with the school before making decisions.

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