CNU vs. JMU

Deciding between Christopher Newport University and James Madison 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
James Madison University

Frequently compared to these colleges. Click a college to add to the comparison. 

  • Overview

  • Location
  • CNU Newport News, VA
  • JMU Harrisonburg, VA
  • Setting
  • CNU Midsize City
  • JMU Small City
  • Total enrollment
  • CNU 4,454
  • JMU 22,740
  • Type
  • CNU Public 4 Year
  • JMU Public 4 Year
  • National Ranking
  • CNU #378
  • JMU #246
  • Religious Affiliation
  • CNU -
  • JMU -
  • Status
  • CNU Non-profit
  • JMU Non-profit
  • Team Colors
  • CNU
  • JMU

  • Cost

  • Tuition (In State)
  • CNU $16,828
  • JMU $14,250
  • Tuition (Out of State)
  • CNU $31,178
  • JMU $31,604
  • Room & Board
  • CNU $12,460
  • JMU $13,056
  • Average Net Price
  • CNU $23,148
  • JMU $18,856
  • Average Grant Aid
  • CNU $10,494
  • JMU $12,114
  • % Receiving Grant Aid
  • CNU 64%
  • JMU 33%

  • Admissions

  • Applied
  • CNU 7,341
  • JMU 38,428
  • Admitted
  • CNU 6,316
  • JMU 27,482
  • Acceptance Rate
  • CNU 86%
  • JMU 71.5%
  • Enrolled
  • CNU 18%
  • JMU 18.2%
  • Typical SAT score
  • CNU 1180
  • JMU 1260
  • Typical ACT score
  • CNU 27
  • JMU 26
  • Average High School GPA
  • CNU 3.79
  • JMU 3.57
  • Typical High School Grades
  • CNU A-
  • JMU A-
  • Admissions Standards
  • CNU Challenging
  • JMU Difficult
  • Applicant Competition
  • CNU
  • JMU Low
  • ACT Range
  • CNU 25/30
  • JMU 24/29
  • SAT Range
  • CNU 1060/1290
  • JMU 1170/1340
  • Submit Test Scores
  • CNU Test optional
  • JMU Test optional
  • Application Deadline
  • CNU Feb 1, 2027
  • JMU Jan 15, 2027

  • Academics

  • Student to Faculty Ratio
  • CNU 13:1
  • JMU 17:1
  • Popular Majors
  • CNU
    • Social Sciences (15%)
    • Communication (13%)
    • Biology (12%)
    • Business (11%)
    • Psychology (11%)
  • JMU
    • Business (16%)
    • Health Professions (13%)
    • Social Sciences (10%)
    • Communication (10%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (6%)

  • Outcomes

  • Graduation Rate
  • CNU 63%
  • JMU 81%
  • Median Earnings (After 10 years)
  • CNU $47,100
  • JMU $60,300
  • Making Student Loan Payments
  • CNU 78%
  • JMU 83%
  • Median Student Loan Debt
  • CNU $25,000
  • JMU $20,899
  • Median Loan Payment
  • CNU $258
  • JMU $216

  • Diversity

  • % Men
  • CNU 47%
  • JMU 43%
  • % Women
  • CNU 53%
  • JMU 57%
  • Racial Diversity
  • CNU Low
  • JMU Low
  • HBCU
  • CNU No
  • JMU No
  • % White
  • CNU 74%
  • JMU 76%
  • % Asian
  • CNU 3%
  • JMU 4%
  • % Black
  • CNU 8%
  • JMU 4%
  • % Hispanic
  • CNU 5%
  • JMU 6%
  • % Native American
  • CNU 0%
  • JMU 0%
  • % Pacific Islander
  • CNU 0%
  • JMU 0%
  • % Two or More Races
  • CNU 5%
  • JMU 4%
  • % International
  • CNU 0%
  • JMU 2%
  • % Unknown Race
  • CNU 5%
  • JMU 3%

  • Students

  • % In-State
  • CNU 92%
  • JMU 69%
  • % Out-of-State
  • CNU 5%
  • JMU 30%

  • Campus

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

Comparable Facts

Compare Christopher Newport University in Newport News, VA with James Madison University in Harrisonburg, VA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

James Madison University is larger than CNU based on total student enrollment (22,740 students vs. 4,454 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Christopher Newport University is located in Newport News, VA (Midsize City setting); James Madison University is in Harrisonburg, VA (Small City setting).
  • Christopher Newport University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. James Madison University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Christopher Newport University 13:1; James Madison University 17:1.

CNU vs. JMU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, CNU or JMU? 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 James Madison University than CNU ($18,856 vs. $23,148).
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Christopher Newport University are 4.6% lower than at James Madison University ($12,460 vs. $13,056).
  • Christopher Newport University is 18.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than JMU (about $2,578 more per year; $16,828.00 vs. $14,250.00).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 1.4% higher at JMU than at Christopher Newport University (about $426 more per year; $31,604.00 vs. $31,178.00).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Christopher Newport University than at James Madison University (64% vs. 33%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by James Madison University students is 15.4% larger than aid received by Christopher Newport University students ($12,114 vs. $10,494).

CNU vs. JMU Admissions comparison

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

  • The typical SAT score (median estimate) at James Madison University (1260) is 80 points higher than at CNU (1180).
  • Incoming CNU students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (27 vs. 26 at JMU).
  • Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Christopher Newport University 1060/1290; James Madison University 1170/1340.
  • Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Christopher Newport University 25/30; James Madison University 24/29.
  • Submitting SAT or ACT scores: CNU - Test optional; JMU - Test optional.
  • Typical fall application deadline: CNU Feb 1, 2027; JMU Jan 15, 2027.
  • Accepted freshman CNU students have a 0.22 point higher average high school GPA (3.79) than students at JMU (3.57).
  • CNU has a higher acceptance rate (86%) than JMU (71.5%).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 18% at CNU vs. 18.2% at JMU.

CNU vs. JMU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for CNU and JMU? 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).

  • James Madison University's six-year graduation rate (81%) is higher than Christopher Newport University's (63%).
  • Graduates from James Madison University earn a median of about $13,200 more per year than CNU graduates about ten years after starting college ($60,300 vs. $47,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
  • Among federal student loan borrowers, James Madison University graduates have a $4,101 lower median loan debt than CNU graduates ($20,899 vs. $25,000).
  • Among borrowers, JMU graduates have an estimated $42 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than CNU graduates ($216 vs. $258).
  • More JMU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former CNU students, three years after graduation. (83% vs. 78%)

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.