Virginia's premier historically Black university, educating leaders since 1935.
Norfolk State offers comprehensive undergraduate and graduate programs across eight schools and colleges: Business, Education, Liberal Arts, Engineering/Science/Technology, Social Work, Extended Learning, Honors College, and Graduate School. The university awards associate, baccalaureate, master's, and doctoral degrees, with particular strengths in engineering (including the only undergraduate optical engineering degree in Virginia), computer science, electronic engineering, and criminal justice. Research facilities include a life sciences building with planetarium, materials research wing with advanced equipment, and state-of-the-art library.
The 134-acre campus features 31 buildings including Joseph G. Echols Hall (7,500-seat health/PE/ROTC complex), a 30,000-seat football stadium, television studio, radio station, African art museum, and performing arts center. Recent construction includes the New Student Center (2009), Nursing and General Classroom Building (2015), G.W.C. Brown Memorial Hall (2017), and a new residential facility (2019+). Students engage through 63 organizations, intramural activities, and student publications. The Spartan Legion Marching Band (230 members, founded 1974) performs at campus events and major venues including the 2023 Tournament of Roses Parade.
Norfolk State Spartans compete in NCAA Division I (Football Championship Subdivision) within the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC). The 2011–12 men's basketball team won the MEAC tournament and made the school's first NCAA Tournament appearance, famously defeating #2-seeded Missouri as a 15 seed in the second round. The university adopted the Spartan name and identity in 1952. All nine National Pan-Hellenic Council organizations maintain chapters on campus.
Founded in 1935 as the Norfolk Unit of Virginia Union University, the institution became independent in 1942 as Norfolk Polytechnic College, joined Virginia State College in 1944, and separated to become Norfolk State College in 1969. It achieved university status in 1979. The university is led by Dr. Javaune Adams-Gaston (7th president, since June 2019). NSU is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools and holds membership in the Thurgood Marshall College Fund and Virginia High-Tech Partnership.