# Norfolk State University

> public historically black university in Norfolk, Virginia, United States

**Wikidata**: [Q632506](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q632506)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Norfolk_State_University)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/norfolk-state-university

## Summary
Norfolk State University is a public historically black university (HBCU) located in Norfolk, Virginia, founded in 1935. It serves over 5,000 students and is recognized for its academic programs, research initiatives, and commitment to diversity. As a member of the Association of American Colleges and Universities, it emphasizes liberal arts education and community engagement.

## Key Facts
- Founded in 1935 as a public institution in Norfolk, Virginia.
- Classified as a historically black college or university (HBCU) and a "master's college" by the Carnegie Classification.
- Serves approximately 5,457 students (as of 2020) with 1,581 employees.
- Endowment valued at $71.16 million (2022) and $79.86 million (2021).
- Admission rate of 91% (2020) and yield rate of 17% (2020).
- Member of the American Council on Education and the Open Education Network.

## FAQs
### Q: When was Norfolk State University founded?
A: Norfolk State University was founded in 1935.

### Q: What type of institution is Norfolk State University?
A: It is a public historically black university (HBCU) and a "master's college" under the Carnegie Classification.

### Q: How many students attend Norfolk State University?
A: As of 2020, the university had approximately 5,457 students, with 5,016 full-time equivalents reported in 2021.

## Why It Matters
Norfolk State University plays a critical role in higher education as one of over 100 HBCUs in the U.S., institutions founded to serve Black students during segregation. It contributes to workforce development in Virginia and beyond, offering programs in STEM, business, and the arts. The university’s research focus, including partnerships with organizations like NASA, underscores its commitment to innovation. As a federally designated Minority-Serving Institution, it addresses educational disparities and fosters upward mobility for underrepresented groups.

## Notable For
- **Historical Significance**: Founded during the era of racial segregation to provide higher education opportunities for Black Virginians.
- **Academic Programs**: Offers over 50 undergraduate and graduate degrees, including nationally accredited programs in business and education.
- **Athletics**: Competes in the NCAA Division I as the Norfolk State Spartans, with notable teams in football and basketball.
- **Research**: Classified as a "research doctoral: professional-dominant" institution, with initiatives in health sciences and technology.

## Body
### History and Mission
Norfolk State University was established in 1935 as a two-year junior college for Black students. It expanded to a four-year institution in 1963 and gained university status in 1979. Its mission emphasizes academic excellence, community service, and leadership development.

### Academics
- **Degrees**: Offers bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral programs across five colleges, including the College of Liberal Arts and the School of Business.
- **Accreditations**: Regionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACSCOC), with program-specific accreditations in nursing and education.
- **Calendar**: Operates on a semester system.

### Demographics
- **Student Body**: 5,457 students (2020), with a majority identifying as Black/African American.
- **Faculty/Staff**: 1,581 employees, including full-time and part-time faculty.

### Athletics and Campus Life
- **Teams**: NCAA Division I members of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC), competing in 14 varsity sports.
- **Facilities**: Notable venues include William "Dick" Price Stadium and the Joseph G. Echols Memorial Hall.

### Memberships and Rankings
- **Professional Affiliations**: Member of the American Association of State Colleges and Universities (AASCU) and the Thurgood Marshall College Fund.
- **Rankings**: Recognized by *U.S. News & World Report* for social mobility and ethnic diversity among national universities.

### Financials
- **Endowment**: Grew from $79.86 million (2021) to $71.16 million (2022), reflecting market fluctuations.
- **Funding**: Receives support as a public institution, with additional grants for HBCU-specific programs.

## References

1. Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System
2. GRID Release 2017-01-10
3. Virtual International Authority File
4. [Source](http://hbculibraries.org/libraries-year.html)
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6. [Source](https://web.archive.org/web/20240120080233/https://acememberdirectory.azurewebsites.net/)
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8. [Source](https://aascu.org/our-members/)
9. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
10. GeoNames
11. [Source](http://www.nsu.edu)
12. [Source](http://km.aifb.kit.edu/services/crunchbase/)
13. [U.S. and Canadian 2022 NTSE Participating Institutions Listed by Fiscal Year 2022 Endowment Market Value, Change in Market Value from FY21 to FY22, and FY22 Endowment Market Values Per Full-time Equivalent Student (Excel). National Association of College and University Business Officers. 2023](https://www.nacubo.org/Research/2022/Public-NTSE-Tables)
14. GRID Release 2015-12-14
15. GRID Release 2016-12-06
16. Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education
17. Quora
18. Aligned ISNI and Ringgold identifiers for institutions
19. Microsoft Academic Knowledge Graph
20. [U.S. and Canadian 2022 NTSE Participating Institutions Listed by Fiscal Year 2022 Endowment Market Value, Change in Market Value from FY21 to FY22, and FY22 Endowment Market Values Per Full-time Equivalent Student (Excel). 2023](https://www.nacubo.org/Research/2022/Public-NTSE-Tables)
21. National Library of Israel Names and Subjects Authority File
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24. [Internet Domains Wikibase](https://domains.wikibase.cloud/entity/Q189044)