CNU vs. Mason

Should I go to Christopher Newport University or George Mason University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if CNU or Mason is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.
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Christopher Newport University vs. George Mason University comparison
Christopher Newport University George Mason University College 3 College 4
Christopher Newport University George Mason University
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Overview

 CNU Mason
Location Newport News, VA Fairfax, VA
Setting Midsize City Large Suburban
Enrollment 4,559 39,049
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #390 #228
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website cnu.edu gmu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

 CNU Mason
Tuition (In State) $9,375 $9,795
Tuition (Out of State) $22,613 $35,377
Room & Board $11,990 $13,120
Avg Net Price $23,287 $18,479
Avg Grant Aid $8,022 $10,760
% Receiving Grant Aid 66% 74%

Admission

 CNU Mason
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 7,428 20,001
Admitted 6,340 18,001
Acceptance Rate 85.4% 90%
Enrolled % 18.3% 23%
Avg High School GPA 3.79 3.68
Typical High School Grades A- B+
Admissions Standards Challenging Difficult
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 22/29 25/31
SAT Range 1100/1290 1140/1350
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Feb 1, 2025 Feb 1, 2025

Academics

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

Outcomes

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

Diversity

 CNU Mason
% Men 46% 48%
% Women 54% 52%
Racial Diversity Low Very High
HBCU No No
% White 74% 43%
% Black 8% 11%
% Hispanic 5% 13%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 5% 5%
% International 0% 5%
% Unknown Race 5% 5%

Students

 CNU Mason
% In-State 91% 77%
% Out-of-State 6% 17%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • George Mason University is larger than than CNU based on total student enrollment (39,049 students vs. 4,559 students)

CNU vs. Mason Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, CNU or Mason?

  • George Mason University is 4.5% more expensive to attend than CNU for in-state tuition ($9,795.00 vs. $9,375.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 56.4% higher at Mason than Christopher Newport University ($35,377.00 vs. $22,613.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at George Mason University than CNU ($18,479 vs. $23,287)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Christopher Newport University are 9.4% lower than costs at George Mason University ($11,990 vs. $13,120)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at George Mason University than Christopher Newport University (74% vs. 66%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by George Mason University students is 34.1% larger than aid received Christopher Newport University ($10,760 vs. $8,022)

CNU vs. Mason Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, CNU or Mason? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between Mason or CNU .

  • The average SAT score at Christopher Newport University (1155) is 2 points higher than at Mason (1153)
  • Incoming Mason students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (26) than students at CNU (25)
  • 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 (90%) than CNU (85.4%)

CNU vs. Mason Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, CNU or Mason? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between Mason and CNU.

  • The graduation rate at Mason is higher than Christopher Newport University (64% vs. 63%)
  • Graduates from George Mason University earn on average $14,800 more per year than CNU graduates after ten years. ($61,900 vs. $47,100)
  • George Mason University students graduate with a $5,250 lower median federal student loan debt than CNU graduates. ($19,750 vs. $25,000)
  • Mason graduates are paying $54 less per month on federal student loans 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/