Norfolk State vs South Carolina State University
Norfolk State University and South Carolina State University, both historically Black universities, offer unique educational experiences for students seeking a diverse and enriching college environment. Norfolk State, located in Virginia, boasts a higher acceptance rate (84%) compared to South Carolina State's 74%, making it a more accessible option for prospective students. While South Carolina State has a slightly larger student body, Norfolk State's student population is more diverse, with a higher percentage of international students. Both universities offer a range of popular majors, including nursing, business, and education, but Norfolk State has a stronger focus on STEM fields, while South Carolina State excels in agricultural programs. With graduation rates of 44% and 39% respectively, both institutions are committed to providing students with the support and resources they need to succeed. Explore the detailed comparison table below to discover more distinctions between these two esteemed institutions and make an informed decision about your academic journey.
|
![]() Norfolk State University |
![]() South Carolina State University |
---|---|---|
Overview |
||
Location | Norfolk, Virginia | Orangeburg, South Carolina |
Campus setting | City: Midsize | Town: Distant |
College type | 4 year | 4 year |
Control/business model | Public | Public |
Calendar system | Semester | Semester |
Degrees offered | Undergraduate and Graduate | Undergraduate and Graduate |
Students retention rate | 66.0% | 69.0% |
![]() |
Yes | Yes |
Religious affiliation | ||
|
||
Admission |
||
Acceptance rate | 88.6% | 87.6% |
Application fees |
Undergraduate:
$25
Graduate:
$50
|
Undergraduate:
$25
Graduate:
$25
|
SAT range | 860 - 1083 | 800 - 1050 |
ACT range | 15 - 20 | 15 - 19 |
Students submitting SAT score | 19.0% | 6.0% |
Students submitting ACT score | 5.0% | 9.0% |
Total number of applicants | 6,490 | 2,497 |
Total number of admissions given out | 5,753 | 2,187 |
Admitted students who chose to enroll | 1,113 | 586 |
Yield rate | 19.3% | 26.8% |
Test scores (SAT/ACT) | N/A | N/A |
High school GPA | Required | Required |
Recommendation letters | Required | Not required |
High school transcript | Not required | Required |
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL) | Required | Required |
|
||
Tuition and Fees |
||
Sticker price |
In state:
$26,710
Out of state:
$37,878
|
In state:
$31,060
Out of state:
$41,750
|
Average net price | $12,264 | $20,901 |
Tuition |
In state:
$5,752
Out of state:
$16,920
|
In state:
$9,528
Out of state:
$20,218
|
Room & board |
Room/dormitory:
$7,206
Meal plan:
$3,638
|
Room/dormitory:
$6,600
Meal plan:
$3,290
|
Available payment plans |
|
|
|
||
Financial Aid |
||
Students receiving financial aid
(Grants & scholarships) |
92.0%
Average amount $11,764 |
87.0%
Average amount $9,737 |
Students receiving federal student loan |
73.0%
Average amount $8,821 |
63.0%
Average amount $5,707 |
Students taking out private loans |
3.0%
Average amount $14,029 |
1.0%
Average amount $14,500 |
|
||
Students and Campus |
||
Undergraduate students |
5,016
Men 32.3% Women 67.7% |
2,074
Men 44.7% Women 55.3% |
Graduate students |
442
Men 36.7% Women 63.3% |
300
Men 24.3% Women 75.7% |
Racial/ethnic diversity |
Very Low
|
Very Low
|
Out-of-state students | N/A | 13.2% |
International students | 1.2% | 0.1% |
Campus local/setting | City: Midsize | Town: Distant |
Dormitory capacity | 2,917 | 1,369 |
First year students are required to live on campus? | No | No |
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from | N/A | South Carolina Georgia Florida North Carolina California |
|
||
Academics |
||
Popular study areas |
|
|
Students to faculty ratio | 15:1 | 15:1 |
Institutional accreditation | Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges | Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges |
|
||
Outcome |
||
Graduation rate | 37.1% | 30.4% |
Dropout rate | 32.8% | 35.7% |
Transferred out | 27.1% | 30.0% |
Alumni salary by major (Top 10) |
Social Work (Master's Degrees)
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods (Master's Degrees)
Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management (Master's Degrees)
|
Educational Administration and Supervision (Doctoral Degrees)
Communication Disorders Sciences and Services (Master's Degrees)
Student Counseling and Personnel Services (Master's Degrees)
Criminal Justice and Corrections (Bachelor's Degrees)
Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions (Master's Degrees)
Marketing (Bachelor's Degrees)
Social Work (Bachelor's Degrees)
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas (Bachelor's Degrees)
Communication and Media Studies (Bachelor's Degrees)
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Bachelor's Degrees)
|
Compare Similar Colleges
The list of suggested college comparisons provided below is generated automatically by our system, utilizing
statistics gathered from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) and various online sources. If you
don't find the colleges you wish to compare, please visit our comparison page.
There, you can search for the
specific colleges and initiate your comparison.





















































































































































