At $12,973/yr net price, Norfolk State University graduates earn $44,666/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $10,666/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $12,973 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $51,892 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $44,666/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$10,666/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 4.9 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 32.7% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $29,000 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $11,099/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $12,836/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $13,868/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $14,235/yr |
| $110,001+ | $18,020/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Social Work. | Master | $45,500 | $41,000 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods. | Master | $45,305 | $57,919 |
The Risk Factor
32.7% of students at Norfolk State University graduate within 6 years. Fewer than half of students complete their degree. If you don't graduate, the financial investment may not pay off.
Analysis
Norfolk State University gives you a mixed financial picture with real risk attached. Your net price sits under $13,000 a year, which is affordable for a four-year public school, and median debt of $29,000 is manageable on paper. The problem is what happens after you enroll. Only about a third of students finish, and median earnings ten years out land in the mid-$40,000s. That combination is the core issue: the price is fair, but the payoff depends heavily on whether you actually graduate.
The graduation rate is the biggest financial risk here. If you leave without a degree, you still owe the loans but earn closer to a high-school-only wage, and roughly two in three students do not finish in the standard window. A 72% retention rate means even the first-year-to-second-year jump loses a meaningful share of you. Borrow the full $29,000 and drop out, and this becomes a bad deal fast.
The net price tiers stay tight across most income bands. Families under $30,000 pay about $11,000, and that only climbs to around $14,000 up through the $110,000 mark before jumping to $18,020 for the highest earners. So aid does not scale much with need here, and lower-income families still carry a real out-of-pocket cost after grants.
This school fits you if you are a Virginia resident who can keep the total cost low, is confident about finishing, and values in-state access over peak earnings. Look elsewhere if you would need to borrow the full amount, are unsure about completing a degree, or are counting on a high starting salary to clear that debt quickly. Graduating is the difference between this paying off and not.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Norfolk State University worth the cost?
Norfolk State University offers a relatively low net price of $12,973 per year, but graduates earn a median of $44,666 ten years after enrollment. With a 32.7% graduation rate and median debt of $29,000, the financial return depends heavily on completing your degree.
What are the best paying majors at Norfolk State University?
Social Work and Teacher Education are the top-paying programs at Norfolk State University, with graduates earning around $45,500 and $45,305 respectively. These earnings are modest but reasonable given the school's affordable tuition costs.
How much student debt do Norfolk State University graduates have?
Norfolk State University graduates carry a median debt of $29,000. With post-graduation earnings of $44,666, this creates a manageable debt-to-income ratio for those who complete their degrees.
What is the graduation rate at Norfolk State University and why does it matter?
Only 32.7% of students graduate from Norfolk State University. This low completion rate significantly impacts ROI since students who don't finish still accumulate debt without earning the degree needed for higher salaries.