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JMU Mason Old Dominion Mary Washington College Virginia Tech VCU William & Mary Longwood University UVA Elon University of Lynchburg Roanoke College| Christopher Newport University | Shenandoah University | College 3 | College 4 | |
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Overview |
CNU | SU | ||
| Location | Newport News, VA | Winchester, VA | ||
| Setting | Midsize City | Small City | ||
| Enrollment | 4,559 | 4,260 | ||
| Type | Public 4 Year | Private 4 Year | ||
| National Ranking | #390 | #537 | ||
| Religious Affiliation | - | United Methodist | - | - |
| Status | Non-profit | Non-profit | ||
| Website | cnu.edu | su.edu | ||
| Team Colors |
Costs |
CNU | SU | ||
| Tuition (In State) | $9,375 | $33,790 | ||
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| Tuition (Out of State) | $22,613 | $33,790 | ||
| Room & Board | $11,990 | $11,230 | ||
| Avg Net Price | $23,287 | $26,143 | ||
| Avg Grant Aid | $8,022 | $23,467 | ||
| % Receiving Grant Aid | 66% | 100% |
Admission |
CNU | SU | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Admission Chances | Calculate | Calculate | ||
| Applied | 7,428 | 2,296 | ||
| Admitted | 6,340 | 1,845 | ||
| Acceptance Rate | 85.4% | 80.4% | ||
| Enrolled % | 18.3% | 25.7% | ||
| Avg High School GPA | 3.79 | 3.7 | ||
| Typical High School Grades | A- | A- | ||
| Admissions Standards | Challenging | Moderate | ||
| Applicant Competition | ||||
| ACT Range | 22/29 | 19/26 | ||
| SAT Range | 1100/1290 | 1010/1230 | ||
| Submit Test Scores | Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) | Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind) | ||
| Application Deadline | Feb 1, 2025 | Aug 1, 2025 |
Academics |
CNU | SU | ||
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| Student to Faculty Ratio | 13:1 | 11:1 | ||
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Outcomes |
CNU | SU | ||
| Graduation Rate | 63% | 45% | ||
| Median Earnings (After 10 years) | $47,100 | $48,300 | ||
| Making Student Loan Payments | 78% | 60% | ||
| Median Student Loan Debt | $25,000 | $25,000 | ||
| Median Loan Payment | $258 | $258 |
Diversity |
CNU | SU | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| % Men | 46% | 32% | ||
| % Women | 54% | 68% | ||
| Racial Diversity | Low | High | ||
| HBCU | No | No | ||
| % White | 74% | 59% | ||
| % Black | 8% | 11% | ||
| % Hispanic | 5% | 6% | ||
| % Native American | 0% | 1% | ||
| % Pacific Islander | 0% | 0% | ||
| % Two or More Races | 5% | 4% | ||
| % International | 0% | 4% | ||
| % Unknown Race | 5% | 13% |
Students |
CNU | SU | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| % In-State | 91% | 52% | ||
| % Out-of-State | 6% | 48% | ||
Campus |
CNU | SU | ||
| Campus Housing | Yes | Yes | ||
| Freshman Dorm Required | No | No | ||
| Meal Plan | Yes | Yes | ||
| Weekend/Evening Classes | No | Yes | ||
| Daycare Facility | No | No | ||
| Learn More | Details | Details |
Comparable Facts
- Christopher Newport University is larger than than SU based on total student enrollment (4,559 students vs. 4,260 students)
CNU vs. SU Cost Comparison
Which college is more expensive, CNU or SU?
- Shenandoah University is 260.4% more expensive to attend than CNU for in-state tuition ($33,790.00 vs. $9,375.00)
- Out of state tuition is 49.4% higher at SU than Christopher Newport University ($33,790.00 vs. $22,613.00)
- The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Christopher Newport University than SU ($23,287 vs. $26,143)
- Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Shenandoah University are 6.8% lower than costs at Christopher Newport University ($11,230 vs. $11,990)
- More students receive financial grant aid at Shenandoah University than Christopher Newport University (100% vs. 66%)
- The average total grant financial aid received by Shenandoah University students is 192.5% larger than aid received Christopher Newport University ($23,467 vs. $8,022)
CNU vs. SU Admissions Difficulty Comparison
Which college is harder to get into, CNU or SU? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between SU or CNU .
- The average SAT score at Christopher Newport University (1155) is 150 points higher than at SU (1005)
- Incoming CNU students have a 3 point higher average ACT score (25) than students at SU (22)
- Accepted freshman CNU students have a 0.09 point higher average high school GPA (3.79) than students at SU (3.7)
- CNU has a higher acceptance rate (85.4%) than SU (80.4%)
CNU vs. SU Graduation Outcomes Comparison
Which is better, CNU or SU? 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 SU and CNU.
- The graduation rate at CNU is higher than Shenandoah University (63% vs. 45%)
- Graduates from Shenandoah University earn on average $1,200 more per year than CNU graduates after ten years. ($48,300 vs. $47,100)
- Shenandoah University and CNU graduates both have the same median student loan debt upon graduation ($25,000 vs. $25,000)
- Shenandoah University and CNU graduates both have a median monthly student loan payment upon graduation ($258 vs. $258)
- More CNU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former SU students, three years after graduation. (78% vs. 60%)
Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/