Hampton University

Private · Moderately Selective · VA

School data & stats

TypePrivate

LocationVA · South

SettingSuburban

Undergrads3,727

Student:faculty15:1

Outcomes

4-yr grad rate44.3%

6-yr grad rate57.2%

Drop-out rate14.7%

Study abroad—

Cost

In-state tuition$31k

Out-of-state tuition$31k

Application fee—

Community

Racial diversity99.7%

Gender diversity67.8%

International1.5%

IdentityHBCU

Overview

Hampton University is a private historically Black university on the Virginia waterfront, founded in 1868 on the site where newly freed families sought education during the Civil War. Its most famous alumnus, Booker T. Washington, is part of a long institutional history tied to Black educational advancement, and the 'Home by the Sea' campus identity, anchored by the Emancipation Oak, remains central to how the university presents itself.

Academics

Nursing, business, journalism, and the sciences are Hampton's most recognized programs, with a pre-professional, career-oriented emphasis running through much of the curriculum. The university has a long-standing reputation for producing graduates who move directly into competitive professional fields.

Campus & student life

The waterfront campus is a defining physical feature, with historic buildings alongside the water and the Emancipation Oak recognized as a National Historic Landmark. Campus culture carries deep HBCU traditions; homecoming, marching band, and Greek life are significant parts of student life.

Getting in

Admission is holistic, and as one of the most established and selective HBCUs, Hampton draws a national applicant pool; essays and demonstrated engagement with the university's history and mission carry real weight.

After graduation

Hampton's alumni network is strong and tightly connected, with graduates well represented in business, healthcare, media, and government, and the university's HBCU status connects graduates into broader professional and alumni networks across historically Black institutions nationally.

hamptonu.edu ↗

Admissions

Acceptance rate62.3%

Enrolled mid-50%SAT 790–1090 · ACT 13–22

Test policyoptional

Rec letters1

Deadlines (2026–27 cycle)

Early actionNov 1

Regular decisionMar 1

Verified from the school’s admissions page ↗

Applying