CNU vs. RU

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

CNU RU
Location Newport News, VA Radford, VA
Setting Midsize City Distant Town
Enrollment 4,559 7,718
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #390 #566
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website cnu.edu radford.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

CNU RU
Tuition (In State) $9,375 $8,156
Tuition (Out of State) $22,613 $20,246
Room & Board $11,990 $10,567
Avg Net Price $23,287 $17,105
Avg Grant Aid $8,022 $9,733
% Receiving Grant Aid 66% 96%

Admission

CNU RU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 7,428 11,442
Admitted 6,340 10,680
Acceptance Rate 85.4% 93.3%
Enrolled % 18.3% 11.5%
Avg High School GPA 3.79 3.31
Typical High School Grades A- B+
Admissions Standards Challenging Very Easy
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 22/29 19/23
SAT Range 1100/1290 960/1160
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

Academics

CNU RU
Student to Faculty Ratio 13:1 12:1
Popular Majors
  • Social Sciences (15%)
  • Communication (13%)
  • Biology (12%)
  • Business (11%)
  • Psychology (11%)
  • Business (18%)
  • General Studies (10%)
  • Health Professions (9%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (9%)
  • Communication (8%)

Outcomes

CNU RU
Graduation Rate 63% 56%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $47,100 $47,400
Making Student Loan Payments 78% 70%
Median Student Loan Debt $25,000 $23,000
Median Loan Payment $258 $237

Diversity

CNU RU
% Men 46% 33%
% Women 54% 67%
Racial Diversity Low Low
HBCU No No
% White 74% 71%
% Black 8% 13%
% Hispanic 5% 7%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 5% 5%
% International 0% 1%
% Unknown Race 5% 1%

Students

CNU RU
% In-State 91% 89%
% Out-of-State 6% 11%

Campus

CNU RU
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

  • Radford University is larger than than CNU based on total student enrollment (7,718 students vs. 4,559 students)

CNU vs. RU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, CNU or RU?

  • Christopher Newport University is 14.9% more expensive to attend than RU for in-state tuition ($9,375.00 vs. $8,156.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 11.7% higher at CNU than Radford University ($22,613.00 vs. $20,246.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Radford University than CNU ($17,105 vs. $23,287)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Radford University are 13.5% lower than costs at Christopher Newport University ($10,567 vs. $11,990)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Radford University than Christopher Newport University (96% vs. 66%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Radford University students is 21.3% larger than aid received Christopher Newport University ($9,733 vs. $8,022)

CNU vs. RU Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • Accepted freshman CNU students have a 0.48 point higher average high school GPA (3.79) than students at RU (3.31)
  • RU has a higher acceptance rate (93.3%) than CNU (85.4%)

CNU vs. RU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

  • The graduation rate at CNU is higher than Radford University (63% vs. 56%)
  • Graduates from Radford University earn on average $300 more per year than CNU graduates after ten years. ($47,400 vs. $47,100)
  • Radford University students graduate with a $2,000 lower median federal student loan debt than CNU graduates. ($23,000 vs. $25,000)
  • RU graduates are paying $21 less per month on federal student loans than CNU graduates. ($237 vs. $258)
  • More CNU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former RU students, three years after graduation. (78% vs. 70%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/