Catawba College vs. CNU

Comparable Facts

Compare Catawba College in Salisbury, NC 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 Catawba College based on total student enrollment (4,454 students vs. 1,376 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Catawba College is located in Salisbury, NC (Distant Town setting); Christopher Newport University is in Newport News, VA (Midsize City setting).
• Catawba College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Christopher Newport University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Catawba College 13:1; Christopher Newport University 13:1.

Catawba College vs. CNU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Catawba College 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 Catawba College than CNU ($18,447 vs. $23,148).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Christopher Newport University are 8.1% lower than at Catawba College ($12,460 vs. $13,565).
• Catawba College is 103.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than CNU (about $17,472 more per year; $34,300.00 vs. $16,828.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 10% higher at Catawba College than at Christopher Newport University (about $3,122 more per year; $34,300.00 vs. $31,178.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Catawba College than at Christopher Newport University (100% vs. 64%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Catawba College students is 193.6% larger than aid received by Christopher Newport University students ($30,808 vs. $10,494).

Catawba College vs. CNU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Catawba College 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 Catawba College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Christopher Newport University (1180) is 10 points higher than at Catawba College (1170).
• Incoming CNU students have a 6 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (27 vs. 21 at Catawba College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Catawba College 1030/1300; Christopher Newport University 1060/1290.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Catawba College 17/25; Christopher Newport University 25/30.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Catawba College - Test optional; CNU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Catawba College Aug 15, 2027; CNU Feb 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman CNU students have a 0.15 point higher average high school GPA (3.79) than students at Catawba College (3.64).
• CNU has a higher acceptance rate (86%) than Catawba College (75.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.5% at Catawba College vs. 18% at CNU.

Catawba College vs. CNU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Catawba College 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 Catawba College's (54%).
• Graduates from Christopher Newport University earn a median of about $5,100 more per year than Catawba College graduates about ten years after starting college ($47,100 vs. $42,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Christopher Newport University and Catawba College graduates have the same median loan debt ($25,000 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers in the federal data, Christopher Newport University and Catawba College graduates have the same median monthly federal student loan payment ($258 vs. $258).
• More CNU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Catawba College students, three years after graduation. (78% vs. 60%)

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.