Hampton University (HU) Introduction and Academics

Introduction

Hampton University is located on the east coast in Hampton, Virginia. Established in 1868, three years after the end of the Civil War, by Union General Samuel Chapman Armstrong, Hampton has a rich history. One of the most notable early students at the university was Booker T. Washington, a member of the class of 1875. He went on to found the famous Tuskegee Institute in Alabama in 1881 based on the same principles learned at Hampton.

Hampton is one of the top historically black colleges and universities in the world. The university’s students represent nearly all 50 states, and dozens of territories and nations. With an enrollment of approximately 5000 students, the university boasts a low student to faculty ratio.

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Information Summary

Ranks 21st in Virginia and 588th overall. See the entire top 2,000 colleges and universities list
Overall Score (about)	85.6
Total Cost On-Campus Attendance	$42,380
Admission Success rate	N/A
SAT 75%ile scores	1090
Student Ratio Students-to-Faculty	14 : 1
Retention (full-time / part-time)	74% / 33%
Enrollment Total (all students)	4,321

Academics

Hampton’s academic programs are divided into six schools: Nursing, Liberal Arts, Pharmacy, Science, Business, Engineering and Technology, and the Scripps Howard School of Journalism and Communications.

Hampton offers students 68 undergraduate programs, 27 master’s degree programs, 2 specialist in education degrees and 6 doctoral degree programs in pharmacy, physics, physical therapy, and nursing. In 1976, the university became the first historically black college or university to initiate a master’s program. Hampton also offers continuing education and college extension programs via the College of Education Studies and College of Virginia Beach.

The wide variety of academic programs available at Hampton creates endless opportunities for students. Hampton is accredited at the associate, baccalaureate, master’s, education specialist and doctoral degree levels by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.

Most Popular Fields of Study

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Admissions

Applications for admission into Hampton’s undergraduate programs can be initiated by paper application or online. All applications require prospective students to submit an application fee along with their standardized test scores, official transcripts, letters of recommendation, and an essay covering one of three different topics.

Graduate admissions requires a completed application, an application fee, official transcripts, program-specific official test scores (e.g. GMAT, MCAT, DAT or PRAXIS), two letters of recommendation, and a personal statement. Additionally, those who are not native English language speakers are required to submit official test scores for the TOEFL. Graduate applications are accepted throughout the year on a semester basis.

Financial Aid

Hampton understands that meeting the costs of higher education can present a burden to some students and their families. The Office of Financial Aid is available to help students determine the various financial aid options for which they may qualify.

These options include merit- and need-based scholarships, state and federal grants, and different types of educational loans. It is important to note that students must apply for financial aid every year, starting in January. The university urges all students to submit their Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) as early as possible to ensure priority processing. To continue receiving financial aid, satisfactory academic progress must be maintained by the student.

Student Financial Aid Details

Ranks 5th for the average student loan amount.
Secrets to getting the best scholarships and financial aid in Virginia.

Students

The Hampton campus is conveniently located on 314 acres between the Hampton Roads Beltway on the east and the Hampton River to the west. The university has 20 residence facilities for students, including a combination of both modern and historic residence halls. On the south end of campus are the James, Pierce, and Harkness residence halls; to the north are the Thurgood Marshall and Winona residence halls.

The residences are separated into men’s and women’s facilities, and several halls are reserved for incoming freshmen students only. The center of the campus houses the majority of the academic departments, along with Armstrong Field and the Hampton National Cemetery. A 15-acre section of campus has been designated a Historic Landmark District. The buildings which make up the district are the Academic Hall, Virginia Cleveland Hall, The Wigwam Building, Marquand Memorial Chapel, and the President’s Mansion House.

There is a club or student organization available to meet just about any interest at Hampton, as the university supports over one hundred student-run organizations on campus. This includes everything from social Greek letter organizations such as the Phi Beta Sigma fraternity and the Zeta Phi Beta sorority to honor societies and other organizations with a specific philanthropic, academic, or career-based focus. Both the Army and Navy ROTC are also represented on campus.

Student Enrollment Demographics

Student Graduation Demographics

Athletics

The NCAA Division I Hampton Pirates compete in the highly competitive Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference. Over the years, Hampton has won the MEAC title in several sports, including men’s and women’s basketball, track and field, and tennis. In 2001, the Hampton Pirates men’s basketball team won an impressive upset over Iowa State, becoming only the fourth 15th-seeded team to defeat a 2nd-seeded team in NCAA tournament history. In addition to intercollegiate sports, students at Hampton are able to participate in intramural and club sports, fitness classes, and wellness programs.

Additional School Information

Hampton’ motto is “The Standard of Excellence, An Education for Life.” In support of that motto, students at Hampton are held to very high standards of conduct. The university has a defined dress code that is based on the theory that learning to use socially acceptable manners and selecting attire appropriate to specific occasions and activities are critical factors in the total educational process. Students who do not adhere to the dress code can expect to be denied entrance to classrooms, cafeterias, programs, and events.

Hampton University