“Private HBCU and R2 research university on the banks of the Hampton River, founded in 1868.”
Hampton University is a private, historically Black research university on Virginia's coastal peninsula, founded in 1868 by the American Missionary Association to educate formerly enslaved people and their descendants. Nicknamed "Home by the Sea," the 314-acre waterfront campus sits on the Hampton River where it meets the Chesapeake Bay, and is one of the most historically significant HBCUs in the United States — it produced Booker T. Washington and counts NASA hidden-figure Mary Jackson among its alumni. Today Hampton enrolls roughly 3,500 students across seven schools: Business, Engineering & Technology, Liberal Arts & Education, Nursing, Pharmacy, Science, and Journalism & Communications. Hampton is particularly known for producing Black professionals in health care, STEM, and media. Its School of Nursing is one of the oldest and most respected BSN programs at any HBCU, the School of Pharmacy offers a fully accredited PharmD, and the Scripps Howard School of Journalism & Communications is a destination program for aspiring Black journalists and media professionals. The Hampton University Proton Cancer Institute — the nation's first HBCU-owned proton-beam cancer therapy center — supports research partnerships with NASA Langley (5 minutes away) and the U.S. Department of Defense. Student life at Hampton is traditional, pride-filled, and steeped in HBCU culture — the weekly "Twelve to Two" gathering on the campus green, a nationally recognized homecoming, an active Greek-life scene featuring the Divine Nine, and a marching band (The Marching Force) that has performed at Super Bowls and inaugurations. Hampton has a somewhat conservative dress and conduct code known as the "Hampton Code," which is a defining part of the student experience and reflects the school's emphasis on preparing graduates as poised, polished professionals.
Visa, OPT, H-1B alumni outcomes, and acceptance rates by country — sourced from FOIA, USCIS H-1B Hub, and DHS SEVIS.
Carnegie Research Classification
Carnegie
Test Optional — You can submit scores if they help your case, but they're not required.
Official SourceEarly Action
Non-binding; decisions by mid-January
Regular Decision
Rolling decisions 3-4 weeks after a complete application
Spring Semester
Spring intake
The deep admissions playbook beyond the headline acceptance rate — round-by-round breakdowns, nationality data, requirements, and contact paths.
Tuition & Fees (All Students)
$30,592
/yr
Beyond the sticker price — every named scholarship, the financial aid policy, need-aware notes, and a personalized net-cost estimate.
How life on campus actually feels — clubs, sports, traditions, housing realities, and how the school integrates with its city.
One of the oldest continuously accredited BSN programs at any HBCU, with a strong track record of NCLEX pass rates and graduate placements into regional hospital systems including Sentara, HCA, and Bon Secours.
ACPE-accredited Doctor of Pharmacy program — one of only a handful of HBCU pharmacy schools in the nation, with a strong pipeline into community, hospital, and clinical pharmacy roles.
Home to biology, chemistry, marine & environmental science, physics, mathematics, and computer science. Research partnerships with NASA Langley Research Center (adjacent to campus), the U.S. Navy, and the Hampton University Proton Cancer Institute.
Nationally recognized HBCU journalism school with alumni in major broadcast and print media outlets. Fully accredited by ACEJMC. Strong internship pipeline to D.C. and New York media.
AACSB-accredited business school offering majors in accounting, finance, marketing, management, and entrepreneurship. 5-year BS/MBA track available.
ABET-accredited engineering programs with particular strength in aviation — Hampton offers one of the few FAA-accredited professional pilot degrees at an HBCU. STEM-designated degrees qualify for the 24-month STEM OPT extension.
4 years
Nationally recognized HBCU BSN program; strong clinical placements with regional health systems and high first-time NCLEX pass rates.
4 years
One of only a few HBCU pharmacy schools in the U.S.; accredited by ACPE with a distinctive mission to train Black pharmacists for underserved communities.
4 years
The Scripps Howard School is a destination program for aspiring Black journalists, with student media operations and internship pipelines to major national outlets.
Where alumni go after graduation — top industries, grad-school continuation, and the qualitative outcomes story.
Sticker price (annual, out-of-state): $30,592
Net-cost estimate is US-resident-only — international applicants are typically excluded from need-based aid at most schools and should treat the sticker price as the planning baseline.
