HSC- Hampden-Sydney vs. NSU

Comparable Facts

Compare Hampden Sydney College in Hampden-Sydney, VA with Norfolk State University in Norfolk, VA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Norfolk State University is larger than HSC- Hampden-Sydney based on total student enrollment (6,053 students vs. 946 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Hampden Sydney College is located in Hampden-Sydney, VA (Distant Rural setting); Norfolk State University is in Norfolk, VA (Midsize City setting).
• Hampden Sydney College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Norfolk State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Hampden Sydney College 9:1; Norfolk State University 15:1.

HSC- Hampden-Sydney vs. NSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, HSC- Hampden-Sydney or NSU? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Norfolk State University than HSC- Hampden-Sydney ($9,124 vs. $29,717).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Norfolk State University are 30.7% lower than at Hampden Sydney College ($11,591 vs. $16,732).
• Hampden Sydney College is 435.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than NSU (about $44,370 more per year; $54,550.00 vs. $10,180.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 151.6% higher at HSC- Hampden-Sydney than at Norfolk State University (about $32,868 more per year; $54,550.00 vs. $21,682.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Hampden Sydney College than at Norfolk State University (100% vs. 75%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Hampden Sydney College students is 170.5% larger than aid received by Norfolk State University students ($40,720 vs. $15,056).

HSC- Hampden-Sydney vs. NSU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, HSC- Hampden-Sydney or NSU? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between NSU and HSC- Hampden-Sydney.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Hampden Sydney College (1140) is 210 points higher than at NSU (930).
• Incoming HSC- Hampden-Sydney students have a 6 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (25 vs. 19 at NSU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Hampden Sydney College 1030/1250; Norfolk State University 823/1030.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Hampden Sydney College 23/28; Norfolk State University 16/22.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: HSC- Hampden-Sydney - Test optional; NSU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: HSC- Hampden-Sydney Feb 1, 2027; NSU May 31, 2027.
• Accepted freshman HSC- Hampden-Sydney students have a 0.63 point higher average high school GPA (3.53) than students at NSU (2.9).
• NSU has a higher acceptance rate (87.8%) than HSC- Hampden-Sydney (40.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 22.8% at HSC- Hampden-Sydney vs. 13.2% at NSU.

HSC- Hampden-Sydney vs. NSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for HSC- Hampden-Sydney and NSU? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Hampden Sydney College's six-year graduation rate (67%) is higher than Norfolk State University's (33%).
• Graduates from Hampden Sydney College earn a median of about $17,300 more per year than NSU graduates about ten years after starting college ($54,000 vs. $36,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Hampden Sydney College graduates have a $4,000 lower median loan debt than NSU graduates ($27,000 vs. $31,000).
• Among borrowers, HSC- Hampden-Sydney graduates have an estimated $41 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than NSU graduates ($279 vs. $320).
• More HSC- Hampden-Sydney graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former NSU students, three years after graduation. (75% vs. 27%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.