CNU vs. Mason

Deciding between Christopher Newport University and George Mason 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.

Christopher Newport University
George Mason University

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  • Overview

  • Location
  • CNU Newport News, VA
  • Mason Fairfax, VA
  • Setting
  • CNU Midsize City
  • Mason Large Suburban
  • Total enrollment
  • CNU 4,454
  • Mason 39,766
  • Type
  • CNU Public 4 Year
  • Mason Public 4 Year
  • National Ranking
  • CNU #378
  • Mason #243
  • Religious Affiliation
  • CNU -
  • Mason -
  • Status
  • CNU Non-profit
  • Mason Non-profit
  • Team Colors
  • CNU
  • Mason

  • Cost

  • Tuition (In State)
  • CNU $16,828
  • Mason $14,220
  • Tuition (Out of State)
  • CNU $31,178
  • Mason $38,688
  • Room & Board
  • CNU $12,460
  • Mason $15,725
  • Average Net Price
  • CNU $23,148
  • Mason $18,823
  • Average Grant Aid
  • CNU $10,494
  • Mason $12,852
  • % Receiving Grant Aid
  • CNU 64%
  • Mason 71%

  • Admissions

  • Applied
  • CNU 7,341
  • Mason 25,234
  • Admitted
  • CNU 6,316
  • Mason 22,074
  • Acceptance Rate
  • CNU 86%
  • Mason 87.5%
  • Enrolled
  • CNU 18%
  • Mason 20.2%
  • Typical SAT score
  • CNU 1180
  • Mason 1260
  • Typical ACT score
  • CNU 27
  • Mason 27
  • Average High School GPA
  • CNU 3.79
  • Mason 3.68
  • Typical High School Grades
  • CNU A-
  • Mason A-
  • Admissions Standards
  • CNU Challenging
  • Mason Difficult
  • Applicant Competition
  • CNU
  • Mason
  • ACT Range
  • CNU 25/30
  • Mason 25/30
  • SAT Range
  • CNU 1060/1290
  • Mason 1160/1360
  • Submit Test Scores
  • CNU Test optional
  • Mason Test optional
  • Application Deadline
  • CNU Feb 1, 2027
  • Mason Feb 1, 2027

  • Academics

  • Student to Faculty Ratio
  • CNU 13:1
  • Mason 16:1
  • Popular Majors
  • CNU
    • Social Sciences (15%)
    • Communication (13%)
    • Biology (12%)
    • Business (11%)
    • Psychology (11%)
  • Mason
    • Business (23%)
    • Social Sciences (16%)
    • English and Literature (10%)
    • Psychology (8%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (7%)

  • Outcomes

  • Graduation Rate
  • CNU 63%
  • Mason 64%
  • Median Earnings (After 10 years)
  • CNU $47,100
  • Mason $61,900
  • Making Student Loan Payments
  • CNU 78%
  • Mason 73%
  • Median Student Loan Debt
  • CNU $25,000
  • Mason $19,750
  • Median Loan Payment
  • CNU $258
  • Mason $204

  • Diversity

  • % Men
  • CNU 47%
  • Mason 49%
  • % Women
  • CNU 53%
  • Mason 51%
  • Racial Diversity
  • CNU Low
  • Mason Very High
  • HBCU
  • CNU No
  • Mason No
  • % White
  • CNU 74%
  • Mason 43%
  • % Asian
  • CNU 3%
  • Mason 19%
  • % Black
  • CNU 8%
  • Mason 11%
  • % Hispanic
  • CNU 5%
  • Mason 13%
  • % Native American
  • CNU 0%
  • Mason 0%
  • % Pacific Islander
  • CNU 0%
  • Mason 0%
  • % Two or More Races
  • CNU 5%
  • Mason 5%
  • % International
  • CNU 0%
  • Mason 5%
  • % Unknown Race
  • CNU 5%
  • Mason 5%

  • Students

  • % In-State
  • CNU 92%
  • Mason 77%
  • % Out-of-State
  • CNU 5%
  • Mason 14%

  • Campus

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

Comparable Facts

Compare Christopher Newport University in Newport News, VA with George Mason University in Fairfax, VA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

George Mason University is larger than CNU based on total student enrollment (39,766 students vs. 4,454 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Christopher Newport University is located in Newport News, VA (Midsize City setting); George Mason University is in Fairfax, VA (Large Suburban setting).
  • Christopher Newport University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. George Mason University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Christopher Newport University 13:1; George Mason University 16:1.

CNU vs. Mason Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, CNU or Mason? 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 George Mason University than CNU ($18,823 vs. $23,148).
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Christopher Newport University are 20.8% lower than at George Mason University ($12,460 vs. $15,725).
  • Christopher Newport University is 18.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Mason (about $2,608 more per year; $16,828.00 vs. $14,220.00).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 24.1% higher at Mason than at Christopher Newport University (about $7,510 more per year; $38,688.00 vs. $31,178.00).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at George Mason University than at Christopher Newport University (71% vs. 64%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by George Mason University students is 22.5% larger than aid received by Christopher Newport University students ($12,852 vs. $10,494).

CNU vs. Mason Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, CNU or Mason? 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 Mason and CNU.

  • The typical SAT score (median estimate) at George Mason University (1260) is 80 points higher than at CNU (1180).
  • Incoming CNU students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 27) as students at Mason (27).
  • Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Christopher Newport University 1060/1290; George Mason University 1160/1360.
  • Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Christopher Newport University 25/30; George Mason University 25/30.
  • Submitting SAT or ACT scores: CNU - Test optional; Mason - Test optional.
  • Typical fall application deadline: CNU Feb 1, 2027; Mason Feb 1, 2027.
  • Accepted freshman CNU students have a 0.11 point higher average high school GPA (3.79) than students at Mason (3.68).
  • Mason has a higher acceptance rate (87.5%) than CNU (86%).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 18% at CNU vs. 20.2% at Mason.

CNU vs. Mason Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for CNU and Mason? 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).

  • George Mason University's six-year graduation rate (64%) is higher than Christopher Newport University's (63%).
  • Graduates from George Mason University earn a median of about $14,800 more per year than CNU graduates about ten years after starting college ($61,900 vs. $47,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
  • Among federal student loan borrowers, George Mason University graduates have a $5,250 lower median loan debt than CNU graduates ($19,750 vs. $25,000).
  • Among borrowers, Mason graduates have an estimated $54 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than CNU graduates ($204 vs. $258).
  • More CNU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Mason students, three years after graduation. (78% vs. 73%)

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.