Norfolk State University Acceptance Rate
Norfolk, Virginia · Public · 4-year or above
- Applicants
- 10,211
- Admitted
- 8,931
- Yield
- 16.8%
- Test policy
- Test-optional
Latest official IPEDS 2023–24 · Updated July 2026
Acceptance rate & applications over time
Hover or tap the chart to read any year.
Over the 10 years of federal data, Norfolk State University's acceptance rate has risen from 65.7% in 2014–15 to 87.5% in 2023–24. Applications grew from 2,817 to 10,211 (+262%) over that period.
Its 87.5% rate makes Norfolk State University more selective than about 26% of the 1,419 schools tracked here. Among 40 tracked Virginia schools, it is more selective than about 38%.
In 2023–24, women were admitted at a higher rate (88.7% for women vs 84.8% for men, a 3.9-point gap). Norfolk State University has been test-optional since 2022–23. Of admitted students, 16.8% enrolled (the yield rate) in 2023–24.
Full year-by-year table
| Year | Applicants | Admitted | Acceptance | Enrolled |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014–15 | 2,817 | 1,850 | 65.7% | 571 |
| 2015–16 | 2,445 | 1,930 | 78.9% | 475 |
| 2016–17 | 4,439 | 3,795 | 85.5% | 1,039 |
| 2017–18 | 6,008 | 5,415 | 90.1% | 1,036 |
| 2018–19 | 7,442 | 6,675 | 89.7% | 1,098 |
| 2019–20 | 7,172 | 6,576 | 91.7% | 1,225 |
| 2020–21 | 6,944 | 6,324 | 91.1% | 1,066 |
| 2021–22 | 6,490 | 5,753 | 88.6% | 1,113 |
| 2022–23 | 8,884 | 7,951 | 89.5% | 1,300 |
| 2023–24 | 10,211 | 8,931 | 87.5% | 1,503 |
Acceptance rate by gender
| Group | Applicants | Admitted | Acceptance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Women | 6,994 | 6,203 | 88.7% |
| Men | 3,217 | 2,728 | 84.8% |
SAT / ACT ranges & policy
Test-optional (considered if submitted).
| Test | 25th–75th percentile | % submitting |
|---|---|---|
| SAT EBRW | 430–575 | 3% |
| SAT Math | 410–525 | |
| ACT Composite | 16–21 | 1% |
How Norfolk State University compares
Where this school sits among peers of similar selectivity — each dot is a school's current acceptance rate on the same scale.
Frequently asked
What is Norfolk State University's acceptance rate?
Norfolk State University's acceptance rate is 87.5% for 2023–24, the most recent year of federal IPEDS data (8,931 admitted of 10,211 applicants).
Is Norfolk State University test optional?
Norfolk State University is test-optional: SAT/ACT scores are considered if submitted but not required.
How many people apply to Norfolk State University?
Norfolk State University received 10,211 applications in 2023–24 and admitted 8,931.
What SAT score do you need for Norfolk State University?
Admitted students at Norfolk State University typically scored 430–575 on SAT Reading/Writing and 410–525 on SAT Math (middle-50% ranges).
Is Norfolk State University getting harder to get into?
Norfolk State University has become easier to get into: its acceptance rate went from 65.7% in 2014–15 to 87.5% in 2023–24.
How this is calculated
Acceptance rate = admitted ÷ applicants, first-time degree-seeking undergraduates, from the U.S. Department of Education's IPEDS Admissions (ADM) survey; institution details from the IPEDS Institutional Characteristics (HD) survey. Data span: 2014–15 to 2023–24. Official site: www.nsu.edu/.