CNU vs. JMU

Should I go to Christopher Newport University or James Madison University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if CNU or JMU 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. James Madison University comparison
Christopher Newport University James Madison University College 3 College 4
Christopher Newport University James Madison University
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Overview

CNU JMU
Location Newport News, VA Harrisonburg, VA
Setting Midsize City Small City
Enrollment 4,559 22,224
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #390 #260
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website cnu.edu jmu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

CNU JMU
Tuition (In State) $9,375 $7,684
Tuition (Out of State) $22,613 $24,744
Room & Board $11,990 $12,040
Avg Net Price $23,287 $18,274
Avg Grant Aid $8,022 $10,081
% Receiving Grant Aid 66% 33%

Admission

CNU JMU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 7,428 30,727
Admitted 6,340 24,062
Acceptance Rate 85.4% 78.3%
Enrolled % 18.3% 20.2%
Avg High School GPA 3.79 3.57
Typical High School Grades A- B+
Admissions Standards Challenging Difficult
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 22/29 23/29
SAT Range 1100/1290 1140/1320
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 Jan 15, 2025

Academics

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

Outcomes

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

Diversity

CNU JMU
% Men 46% 42%
% Women 54% 58%
Racial Diversity Low Low
HBCU No No
% White 74% 76%
% Black 8% 4%
% Hispanic 5% 6%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 5% 4%
% International 0% 2%
% Unknown Race 5% 3%

Students

CNU JMU
% In-State 91% 73%
% Out-of-State 6% 26%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • James Madison University is larger than than CNU based on total student enrollment (22,224 students vs. 4,559 students)

CNU vs. JMU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, CNU or JMU?

  • Christopher Newport University is 22% more expensive to attend than JMU for in-state tuition ($9,375.00 vs. $7,684.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 9.4% higher at JMU than Christopher Newport University ($24,744.00 vs. $22,613.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at James Madison University than CNU ($18,274 vs. $23,287)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Christopher Newport University are 0.4% lower than costs at James Madison University ($11,990 vs. $12,040)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Christopher Newport University than James Madison University (66% vs. 33%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by James Madison University students is 25.7% larger than aid received Christopher Newport University ($10,081 vs. $8,022)

CNU vs. JMU Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Christopher Newport University (1155) is 21 points higher than at JMU (1134)
  • Incoming CNU students have at the same average ACT score (25) as students at JMU (25)
  • 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 (85.4%) than JMU (78.3%)

CNU vs. JMU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, CNU or JMU? 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 JMU and CNU.

  • The graduation rate at JMU is higher than Christopher Newport University (81% vs. 63%)
  • Graduates from James Madison University earn on average $13,200 more per year than CNU graduates after ten years. ($60,300 vs. $47,100)
  • James Madison University students graduate with a $4,101 lower median federal student loan debt than CNU graduates. ($20,899 vs. $25,000)
  • JMU graduates are paying $42 less per month on federal student loans 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/