Hampton University

Hampton, VA · founded 1868 · 4,500 students · hbcu · Big South

Known for: Hampton University is a distinguished historically Black university known for its strong programs in business, science, and aviation, as well as its historic role in education and leadership development.

Rankings

U.S. News national: #217

Top programmes

Business
Pharmacy
Engineering
Aviation
Nursing
Journalism

Notable alumni

Booker T. Washington — Educator, author, and founder of Tuskegee Institute
Alberta Williams King — Mother of Martin Luther King Jr. and civil rights activist
Ricky Smiley — Comedian and radio personality
Wanda Sykes — Emmy Award-winning comedian and actress
Charles R. Drew — Pioneer in blood plasma research

Traditions

Hampton University Homecoming
Opening Convocation
Emancipation Oak Ceremony
Pirate Pride Day

If Hampton University were…

As a food: Chesapeake Bay blue crab — Regional, deeply rooted in tidewater tradition, requires patience to extract the good stuff, and has a legacy that predates most institutions. Hampton's waterfront location and historical gravitas mirror the crab's place
As an athlete: David Robinson — Navy man turned NBA legend, disciplined yet creative, representing service and excellence without the flash. Hampton produces leaders who serve their communities with the same steady brilliance Robinson brought to San An
As a person alive today: Taraji P. Henson — Howard alum who reps HBCU pride fiercely, built her career on talent and grit rather than industry connections. Hampton students carry that same unapologetic confidence and community loyalty, knowing their worth in space
As a historical figure: Booker T. Washington — Hampton alum who embodied self-determination, vocational excellence, and uplift through education. The university literally shaped his philosophy of Black advancement through practical learning and moral character—his le
As a movie or TV show: A Different World — The quintessential HBCU experience on screen—tight-knit community, academic rigor mixed with social consciousness, and the sense that you're part of something historically significant. Hampton delivers that same blend of
As a US president: Jimmy Carter — Earnest, service-oriented, deeply principled, and committed to lifting up marginalized communities through education and moral leadership. Hampton's mission mirrors Carter's post-presidency work—quiet, steady, transforma
As a city: Charleston, South Carolina — Historic Southern port city where the weight of the past meets present-day resilience, waterfront beauty, and a community that knows its story matters. Hampton sits on similar geography and carries similar historical gra
As an element: Iron — Foundational, strong, essential to building everything that matters—from ships to skyscrapers. Hampton has been the backbone of Black higher education since Reconstruction, forging leaders with the kind of strength that
As a car: 1965 Lincoln Continental — Hampton's traditional HBCU elegance and Tidewater location evoke this stately American classic—dignified, historically significant, with suicide doors that open to a legacy of Black excellence and institutional pride spa

Campus life

Hampton offers a vibrant, tradition-rich campus life with a focus on academic excellence, leadership, and community service. The environment is supportive, with numerous student organizations, cultural events, and athletic activities.