CNU vs. SU

Deciding between Christopher Newport University and Shenandoah 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
Shenandoah University

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  • Overview

  • Location
  • CNU Newport News, VA
  • SU Winchester, VA
  • Setting
  • CNU Midsize City
  • SU Small City
  • Total enrollment
  • CNU 4,454
  • SU 4,454
  • Type
  • CNU Public 4 Year
  • SU Private 4 Year
  • National Ranking
  • CNU #378
  • SU #528
  • Religious Affiliation
  • CNU -
  • SU United Methodist
  • Status
  • CNU Non-profit
  • SU Non-profit
  • Team Colors
  • CNU
  • SU

  • Cost

  • Tuition (In State)
  • CNU $16,828
  • SU $36,950
  • Tuition (Out of State)
  • CNU $31,178
  • SU $36,950
  • Room & Board
  • CNU $12,460
  • SU $12,490
  • Average Net Price
  • CNU $23,148
  • SU $27,181
  • Average Grant Aid
  • CNU $10,494
  • SU $24,747
  • % Receiving Grant Aid
  • CNU 64%
  • SU 100%

  • Admissions

  • Applied
  • CNU 7,341
  • SU 4,200
  • Admitted
  • CNU 6,316
  • SU 3,232
  • Acceptance Rate
  • CNU 86%
  • SU 77%
  • Enrolled
  • CNU 18%
  • SU 16.7%
  • Typical SAT score
  • CNU 1180
  • SU 1120
  • Typical ACT score
  • CNU 27
  • SU 22
  • Average High School GPA
  • CNU 3.79
  • SU 3.7
  • Typical High School Grades
  • CNU A-
  • SU A-
  • Admissions Standards
  • CNU Challenging
  • SU Moderate
  • Applicant Competition
  • CNU
  • SU
  • ACT Range
  • CNU 25/30
  • SU 19/26
  • SAT Range
  • CNU 1060/1290
  • SU 1010/1230
  • Submit Test Scores
  • CNU Test optional
  • SU Test-free
  • Application Deadline
  • CNU Feb 1, 2027
  • SU Aug 1, 2027

  • Academics

  • Student to Faculty Ratio
  • CNU 13:1
  • SU 12:1
  • Popular Majors
  • CNU
    • Social Sciences (15%)
    • Communication (13%)
    • Biology (12%)
    • Business (11%)
    • Psychology (11%)
  • SU
    • Health Professions (36%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (17%)
    • Education (16%)
    • Business (9%)
    • Biology (4%)

  • Outcomes

  • Graduation Rate
  • CNU 63%
  • SU 45%
  • Median Earnings (After 10 years)
  • CNU $47,100
  • SU $48,300
  • Making Student Loan Payments
  • CNU 78%
  • SU 60%
  • Median Student Loan Debt
  • CNU $25,000
  • SU $25,000
  • Median Loan Payment
  • CNU $258
  • SU $258

  • Diversity

  • % Men
  • CNU 47%
  • SU 30%
  • % Women
  • CNU 53%
  • SU 70%
  • Racial Diversity
  • CNU Low
  • SU Medium
  • HBCU
  • CNU No
  • SU No
  • % White
  • CNU 74%
  • SU 59%
  • % Asian
  • CNU 3%
  • SU 3%
  • % Black
  • CNU 8%
  • SU 11%
  • % Hispanic
  • CNU 5%
  • SU 6%
  • % Native American
  • CNU 0%
  • SU 1%
  • % Pacific Islander
  • CNU 0%
  • SU 0%
  • % Two or More Races
  • CNU 5%
  • SU 4%
  • % International
  • CNU 0%
  • SU 4%
  • % Unknown Race
  • CNU 5%
  • SU 13%

  • Students

  • % In-State
  • CNU 92%
  • SU 61%
  • % Out-of-State
  • CNU 5%
  • SU 38%

  • Campus

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

Comparable Facts

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

Christopher Newport University and SU have the same total student enrollment (4,454 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Christopher Newport University is located in Newport News, VA (Midsize City setting); Shenandoah University is in Winchester, VA (Small City setting).
  • Christopher Newport University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Shenandoah University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Christopher Newport University 13:1; Shenandoah University 12:1.

CNU vs. SU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, CNU or SU? 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 Christopher Newport University than SU ($23,148 vs. $27,181).
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Christopher Newport University are 0.2% lower than at Shenandoah University ($12,460 vs. $12,490).
  • Shenandoah University is 119.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than CNU (about $20,122 more per year; $36,950.00 vs. $16,828.00).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 18.5% higher at SU than at Christopher Newport University (about $5,772 more per year; $36,950.00 vs. $31,178.00).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Shenandoah University than at Christopher Newport University (100% vs. 64%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Shenandoah University students is 135.8% larger than aid received by Christopher Newport University students ($24,747 vs. $10,494).

CNU vs. SU Admissions comparison

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

  • The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Christopher Newport University (1180) is 60 points higher than at SU (1120).
  • Incoming CNU students have a 5 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (27 vs. 22 at SU).
  • Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Christopher Newport University 1060/1290; Shenandoah University 1010/1230.
  • Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Christopher Newport University 25/30; Shenandoah University 19/26.
  • Submitting SAT or ACT scores: CNU - Test optional; SU - Test-free.
  • Typical fall application deadline: CNU Feb 1, 2027; SU Aug 1, 2027.
  • 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 (86%) than SU (77%).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 18% at CNU vs. 16.7% at SU.

CNU vs. SU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for CNU and SU? 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).

  • Christopher Newport University's six-year graduation rate (63%) is higher than Shenandoah University's (45%).
  • Graduates from Shenandoah University earn a median of about $1,200 more per year than CNU graduates about ten years after starting college ($48,300 vs. $47,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Shenandoah University and CNU graduates have the same median loan debt ($25,000 vs. $25,000).
  • Among borrowers in the federal data, Shenandoah University and CNU graduates have the same median monthly federal student loan payment ($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/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.