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Is Norfolk State University worth it?
A first pass affordability and outcome read for Norfolk State, using national average inputs. Run your own numbers for a personalized score.
Worth-It Score
Stretch
Norfolk State sits in the stretch band for a typical family. The long-run earnings picture at $44,666 helps, but median debt of $29,000 plus yearly net price of $15,282 creates a tighter path. For context, Norfolk State's net price is about 7% below the typical 4-year, public school. It can work, but the financing plan has to be deliberate.
Is the price fair?
Compared to 774 similar 4-year, public schools
This school
$12,272
/yrAverage school like this
$13,155
/yrThis helps your Worth-It Score
You'd pay about $883 less per year than the typical student at a similar school. Over 4 years that's roughly $4,000 in savings.
Score breakdown
The public version of the score weighs affordability, after graduation outcomes, and repayment burden.
Affordability
40% weight
The yearly net price sits in a range that leaves more room for family cash flow and lower borrowing.
Outcome
40% weight
The outcome data does not create enough margin to fully offset the cost.
Repayment
20% weight
Median debt stays in a more comfortable repayment range for a typical graduate.
The numbers behind the score
Median net price per year
$15,282
Median earnings 10 years out
$44,666
Median debt at graduation
$29,000
Graduation rate
36%
At Norfolk State, a typical graduate carries about $29,000 in student debt and earns roughly $44,666 ten years after enrolling. On a standard 10-year repayment plan, that works out to about $330 per month, or 9% of pre-tax income. That sits at the tighter end of a workable borrower range.
What this means for your family
Norfolk State is a public four year school in Norfolk, VA. For many families, the key question is whether the published value here beats cheaper in state or regional alternatives once your real aid offer arrives.
Similar schools worth comparing
These schools share a similar sector, geography, or price range.
Public 4-year
Virginia State
Petersburg, VA
Worth-It Score: 51/100
Median net price: $15,840
Public 4-year
Old Dominion
Norfolk, VA
Worth-It Score: 62/100
Median net price: $14,638
Public 4-year
Radford
Radford, VA
Worth-It Score: 63/100
Median net price: $14,578
Public 4-year
Virginia Military Institute
Lexington, VA
Worth-It Score: 85/100
Median net price: $17,113
Public 4-year
George Mason
Fairfax, VA
Worth-It Score: 79/100
Median net price: $17,915
Common questions about Norfolk State
The median net price at Norfolk State is $15,282 per year. That is the average yearly price after typical grant aid for students in the public federal data, not the published sticker price.
Get your personalized Worth-It score
National averages are a starting point. Plug in your actual aid offer, intended major, and family situation to get a score that reflects your specific picture.
Looking at public universities options in Virginia? See the most affordable public universities in Virginia →
The Worth-It Score weighs affordability (40%), after graduation outcomes (40%), and repayment burden (20%). Underlying data points come from publicly available federal higher education reporting. See full methodology →