Graduate earnings are in line with similar institutions.
What graduates earn 10 years after enrollment.
Annual salary at 10 years
Lower quartile earnings
Upper quartile earnings
How graduate earnings grow in the decade after enrollment.
Norfolk State graduates demonstrate consistent earnings growth throughout their early to mid-career development. Median earnings begin at $33,412 six years after enrollment, rise to $40,645 by eight years, and reach $44,666 at the ten-year mark.
How outcomes compare to similar institutions.
Graduate earnings fall below the peer average for similar institutions.
Financial justification for the investment.
Moderate debt load. Repaying $29,000 requires planning but is achievable.
Norfolk State graduates finish with a median debt of $29,000, placing the university at the 2nd percentile nationally for debt levels, meaning 98% of institutions have lower median debt. Student debt ranges from $9,500 at the 25th percentile to $34,500 at the 75th percentile, indicating significant variation in borrowing patterns among graduates.
Norfolk State University's return performance ranks at the 29.1st percentile nationally, reflecting modest return on educational investment relative to other four-year institutions. However, this measure must be interpreted within the context of the institution's mission and student population served.
Program mix explains much of the earnings story.
Norfolk State University currently lacks sufficient program-level earnings data in federal databases for detailed analysis of individual academic programs. This limitation reflects federal privacy requirements that restrict reporting for programs with small graduate cohorts rather than program quality concerns.
The university's overall value-added earnings performance of $5,804 suggests that graduates across various fields contribute to positive outcomes relative to expectations. Students should evaluate program offerings based on career interests and the university's historical strengths in education, business, health sciences, and engineering technology.
See which programs drive the strongest earnings and career trajectories
Earnings distribution at Norfolk State reveals substantial variation in graduate outcomes, with the 25th percentile earning $25,584 and the 75th percentile earning $64,690. This 2.5:1 ratio indicates significant differences in career paths and earning potential across academic disciplines and individual circumstances.
