Alvernia University vs. CNU

Deciding between Alvernia University and Christopher Newport University? The table below shows tuition, aid, admissions, and outcomes side by side. Data comes from public sources across more than 3,000 U.S. colleges and universities. No account is required.

Alvernia University
Christopher Newport University

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  • Overview

  • Location
  • Alvernia University Reading, PA
  • CNU Newport News, VA
  • Setting
  • Alvernia University Small City
  • CNU Midsize City
  • Total enrollment
  • Alvernia University 2,796
  • CNU 4,454
  • Type
  • Alvernia University Private 4 Year
  • CNU Public 4 Year
  • National Ranking
  • Alvernia University #611
  • CNU #378
  • Religious Affiliation
  • Alvernia University Roman Catholic
  • CNU -
  • Status
  • Alvernia University Non-profit
  • CNU Non-profit
  • Team Colors
  • Alvernia University
  • CNU
  • Cost

  • Tuition (In State)
  • Alvernia University $45,000
  • CNU $16,828
  • Tuition (Out of State)
  • Alvernia University $45,000
  • CNU $31,178
  • Room & Board
  • Alvernia University $15,460
  • CNU $12,460
  • Average Net Price
  • Alvernia University $28,645
  • CNU $23,148
  • Average Grant Aid
  • Alvernia University $29,034
  • CNU $10,494
  • % Receiving Grant Aid
  • Alvernia University 100%
  • CNU 64%
  • Admissions

  • Applied
  • Alvernia University 5,715
  • CNU 7,341
  • Admitted
  • Alvernia University 3,318
  • CNU 6,316
  • Acceptance Rate
  • Alvernia University 58.1%
  • CNU 86%
  • Enrolled
  • Alvernia University 13.3%
  • CNU 18%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Alvernia University 1190
  • CNU 1180
  • Typical ACT score
  • Alvernia University
  • CNU 27
  • Average High School GPA
  • Alvernia University 3.41
  • CNU 3.79
  • Typical High School Grades
  • Alvernia University B+
  • CNU A-
  • Admissions Standards
  • Alvernia University Average
  • CNU Challenging
  • Applicant Competition
  • Alvernia University Low
  • CNU
  • ACT Range
  • Alvernia University
  • CNU 25/30
  • SAT Range
  • Alvernia University 1093/1286
  • CNU 1060/1290
  • Submit Test Scores
  • Alvernia University Test optional
  • CNU Test optional
  • Application Deadline
  • Alvernia University
  • CNU Feb 1, 2027
  • Academics

  • Student to Faculty Ratio
  • Alvernia University 14:1
  • CNU 13:1
  • Popular Majors
  • Alvernia University
    • Health Professions (33%)
    • Business (20%)
    • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (11%)
    • Education (10%)
    • Communication (5%)
  • CNU
    • Social Sciences (15%)
    • Communication (13%)
    • Biology (12%)
    • Business (11%)
    • Psychology (11%)
  • Outcomes

  • Graduation Rate
  • Alvernia University 53%
  • CNU 63%
  • Median Earnings (After 10 years)
  • Alvernia University $44,800
  • CNU $47,100
  • Making Student Loan Payments
  • Alvernia University 61%
  • CNU 78%
  • Median Student Loan Debt
  • Alvernia University $27,000
  • CNU $25,000
  • Median Loan Payment
  • Alvernia University $279
  • CNU $258
  • Diversity

  • % Men
  • Alvernia University 33%
  • CNU 47%
  • % Women
  • Alvernia University 67%
  • CNU 53%
  • Racial Diversity
  • Alvernia University Low
  • CNU Low
  • HBCU
  • Alvernia University No
  • CNU No
  • % White
  • Alvernia University 69%
  • CNU 74%
  • % Asian
  • Alvernia University 2%
  • CNU 3%
  • % Black
  • Alvernia University 13%
  • CNU 8%
  • % Hispanic
  • Alvernia University 7%
  • CNU 5%
  • % Native American
  • Alvernia University 0%
  • CNU 0%
  • % Pacific Islander
  • Alvernia University 0%
  • CNU 0%
  • % Two or More Races
  • Alvernia University 1%
  • CNU 5%
  • % International
  • Alvernia University 0%
  • CNU 0%
  • % Unknown Race
  • Alvernia University 7%
  • CNU 5%
  • Students

  • % In-State
  • Alvernia University 69%
  • CNU 92%
  • % Out-of-State
  • Alvernia University 27%
  • CNU 5%
  • Campus

  • Campus Housing
  • Alvernia University Yes
  • CNU Yes
  • Freshman Dorm Required
  • Alvernia University No
  • CNU No
  • Meal Plan
  • Alvernia University Yes
  • CNU Yes
  • Weekend/Evening Classes
  • Alvernia University Yes
  • CNU No
  • Daycare Facility
  • Alvernia University No
  • CNU No

Comparable Facts

Compare Alvernia University in Reading, PA with Christopher Newport University in Newport News, VA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Christopher Newport University is larger than Alvernia University based on total student enrollment (4,454 students vs. 2,796 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Alvernia University is located in Reading, PA (Small City setting); Christopher Newport University is in Newport News, VA (Midsize City setting).
  • Alvernia University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Christopher Newport University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Alvernia University 14:1; Christopher Newport University 13:1.

Alvernia University vs. CNU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Alvernia University or CNU? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Christopher Newport University than Alvernia University ($23,148 vs. $28,645).
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Christopher Newport University are 19.4% lower than at Alvernia University ($12,460 vs. $15,460).
  • Alvernia University is 167.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than CNU (about $28,172 more per year; $45,000.00 vs. $16,828.00).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 44.3% higher at Alvernia University than at Christopher Newport University (about $13,822 more per year; $45,000.00 vs. $31,178.00).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Alvernia University than at Christopher Newport University (100% vs. 64%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Alvernia University students is 176.7% larger than aid received by Christopher Newport University students ($29,034 vs. $10,494).

Alvernia University vs. CNU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Alvernia University or CNU? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between CNU and Alvernia University.

  • The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Alvernia University (1190) is 10 points higher than at CNU (1180).
  • Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Alvernia University 1093/1286; Christopher Newport University 1060/1290.
  • Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsChristopher Newport University 25/30.
  • Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Alvernia University - Test optional; CNU - Test optional.
  • Typical fall application deadline: CNU Feb 1, 2027.
  • Accepted freshman CNU students have a 0.38 point higher average high school GPA (3.79) than students at Alvernia University (3.41).
  • CNU has a higher acceptance rate (86%) than Alvernia University (58.1%).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.3% at Alvernia University vs. 18% at CNU.

Alvernia University vs. CNU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Alvernia University and CNU? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

  • Christopher Newport University's six-year graduation rate (63%) is higher than Alvernia University's (53%).
  • Graduates from Christopher Newport University earn a median of about $2,300 more per year than Alvernia University graduates about ten years after starting college ($47,100 vs. $44,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Christopher Newport University graduates have a $2,000 lower median loan debt than Alvernia University graduates ($25,000 vs. $27,000).
  • Among borrowers, CNU graduates have an estimated $21 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Alvernia University graduates ($258 vs. $279).
  • More CNU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Alvernia University students, three years after graduation. (78% vs. 61%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.