Chatham vs. CNU

Deciding between Chatham 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.

Chatham University
Christopher Newport University

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  • Overview

  • Location
  • Chatham Pittsburgh, PA
  • CNU Newport News, VA
  • Setting
  • Chatham Large City
  • CNU Midsize City
  • Total enrollment
  • Chatham 2,309
  • CNU 4,454
  • Type
  • Chatham Private 4 Year
  • CNU Public 4 Year
  • National Ranking
  • Chatham #265
  • CNU #378
  • Religious Affiliation
  • Chatham -
  • CNU -
  • Status
  • Chatham Non-profit
  • CNU Non-profit
  • Team Colors
  • Chatham
  • CNU

  • Cost

  • Tuition (In State)
  • Chatham $44,626
  • CNU $16,828
  • Tuition (Out of State)
  • Chatham $44,626
  • CNU $31,178
  • Room & Board
  • Chatham $13,600
  • CNU $12,460
  • Average Net Price
  • Chatham $31,280
  • CNU $23,148
  • Average Grant Aid
  • Chatham $30,095
  • CNU $10,494
  • % Receiving Grant Aid
  • Chatham 100%
  • CNU 64%

  • Admissions

  • Applied
  • Chatham 3,446
  • CNU 7,341
  • Admitted
  • Chatham 2,135
  • CNU 6,316
  • Acceptance Rate
  • Chatham 62%
  • CNU 86%
  • Enrolled
  • Chatham 12.7%
  • CNU 18%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Chatham 1180
  • CNU 1180
  • Typical ACT score
  • Chatham 25
  • CNU 27
  • Average High School GPA
  • Chatham 3.86
  • CNU 3.79
  • Typical High School Grades
  • Chatham A
  • CNU A-
  • Admissions Standards
  • Chatham Challenging
  • CNU Challenging
  • Applicant Competition
  • Chatham Low
  • CNU
  • ACT Range
  • Chatham 21/30
  • CNU 25/30
  • SAT Range
  • Chatham 1070/1295
  • CNU 1060/1290
  • Submit Test Scores
  • Chatham Test optional
  • CNU Test optional
  • Application Deadline
  • Chatham
  • CNU Feb 1, 2027

  • Academics

  • Student to Faculty Ratio
  • Chatham 10:1
  • CNU 13:1
  • Popular Majors
  • Chatham
    • Psychology (13%)
    • Health Professions (13%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (11%)
    • Biology (9%)
    • English and Literature (8%)
  • CNU
    • Social Sciences (15%)
    • Communication (13%)
    • Biology (12%)
    • Business (11%)
    • Psychology (11%)

  • Outcomes

  • Graduation Rate
  • Chatham 60%
  • CNU 63%
  • Median Earnings (After 10 years)
  • Chatham $36,700
  • CNU $47,100
  • Making Student Loan Payments
  • Chatham 62%
  • CNU 78%
  • Median Student Loan Debt
  • Chatham $20,500
  • CNU $25,000
  • Median Loan Payment
  • Chatham $211
  • CNU $258

  • Diversity

  • % Men
  • Chatham 26%
  • CNU 47%
  • % Women
  • Chatham 74%
  • CNU 53%
  • Racial Diversity
  • Chatham Low
  • CNU Low
  • HBCU
  • Chatham No
  • CNU No
  • % White
  • Chatham 72%
  • CNU 74%
  • % Asian
  • Chatham 2%
  • CNU 3%
  • % Black
  • Chatham 10%
  • CNU 8%
  • % Hispanic
  • Chatham 5%
  • CNU 5%
  • % Native American
  • Chatham 1%
  • CNU 0%
  • % Pacific Islander
  • Chatham 0%
  • CNU 0%
  • % Two or More Races
  • Chatham 2%
  • CNU 5%
  • % International
  • Chatham 3%
  • CNU 0%
  • % Unknown Race
  • Chatham 5%
  • CNU 5%

  • Students

  • % In-State
  • Chatham 62%
  • CNU 92%
  • % Out-of-State
  • Chatham 36%
  • CNU 5%

  • Campus

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

Comparable Facts

Compare Chatham University in Pittsburgh, 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 Chatham based on total student enrollment (4,454 students vs. 2,309 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Chatham University is located in Pittsburgh, PA (Large City setting); Christopher Newport University is in Newport News, VA (Midsize City setting).
  • Chatham University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Christopher Newport University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Chatham University 10:1; Christopher Newport University 13:1.

Chatham vs. CNU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Chatham 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 Chatham ($23,148 vs. $31,280).
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Christopher Newport University are 8.4% lower than at Chatham University ($12,460 vs. $13,600).
  • Chatham University is 165.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than CNU (about $27,798 more per year; $44,626.00 vs. $16,828.00).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 43.1% higher at Chatham than at Christopher Newport University (about $13,448 more per year; $44,626.00 vs. $31,178.00).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Chatham University than at Christopher Newport University (100% vs. 64%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Chatham University students is 186.8% larger than aid received by Christopher Newport University students ($30,095 vs. $10,494).

Chatham vs. CNU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Chatham 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 Chatham.

  • The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Chatham University (1180) is the same as at CNU (1180).
  • Incoming CNU students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (27 vs. 25 at Chatham).
  • Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Chatham University 1070/1295; Christopher Newport University 1060/1290.
  • Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Chatham University 21/30; Christopher Newport University 25/30.
  • Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Chatham - Test optional; CNU - Test optional.
  • Typical fall application deadline: CNU Feb 1, 2027.
  • Accepted freshman Chatham students have a 0.07 point higher average high school GPA (3.86) than students at CNU (3.79).
  • CNU has a higher acceptance rate (86%) than Chatham (62%).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.7% at Chatham vs. 18% at CNU.

Chatham vs. CNU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Chatham 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 Chatham University's (60%).
  • Graduates from Christopher Newport University earn a median of about $10,400 more per year than Chatham graduates about ten years after starting college ($47,100 vs. $36,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Chatham University graduates have a $4,500 lower median loan debt than CNU graduates ($20,500 vs. $25,000).
  • Among borrowers, Chatham graduates have an estimated $47 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than CNU graduates ($211 vs. $258).
  • More CNU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Chatham students, three years after graduation. (78% vs. 62%)

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.