CNU vs. UVa-Wise

Comparable Facts

Compare Christopher Newport University in Newport News, VA with University of Virginia's College at Wise in Wise, VA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Christopher Newport University is larger than UVa-Wise based on total student enrollment (4,454 students vs. 2,167 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Christopher Newport University is located in Newport News, VA (Midsize City setting); University of Virginia's College at Wise is in Wise, VA (Distant Town setting).
• Christopher Newport University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Virginia's College at Wise is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Christopher Newport University 13:1; University of Virginia's College at Wise 14:1.

CNU vs. UVa-Wise Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, CNU or UVa-Wise? 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 University of Virginia's College at Wise than CNU ($14,378 vs. $23,148).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Christopher Newport University are 2.8% lower than at University of Virginia's College at Wise ($12,460 vs. $12,816).
• Christopher Newport University is 42.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than UVa-Wise (about $5,048 more per year; $16,828.00 vs. $11,780.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 11.3% higher at CNU than at University of Virginia's College at Wise (about $3,168 more per year; $31,178.00 vs. $28,010.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Virginia's College at Wise than at Christopher Newport University (99% vs. 64%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Virginia's College at Wise students is 16.8% larger than aid received by Christopher Newport University students ($12,262 vs. $10,494).

CNU vs. UVa-Wise Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, CNU or UVa-Wise? 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 UVa-Wise and CNU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Christopher Newport University (1180) is 150 points higher than at UVa-Wise (1030).
• Incoming CNU students have a 7 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (27 vs. 20 at UVa-Wise).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Christopher Newport University 1060/1290; University of Virginia's College at Wise 945/1120.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Christopher Newport University 25/30; University of Virginia's College at Wise 18/22.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: CNU - Test optional; UVa-Wise - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: CNU Feb 1, 2027; UVa-Wise Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman CNU students have a 0.22 point higher average high school GPA (3.79) than students at UVa-Wise (3.57).
• CNU has a higher acceptance rate (86%) than UVa-Wise (28.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 18% at CNU vs. 15.1% at UVa-Wise.

CNU vs. UVa-Wise Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for CNU and UVa-Wise? 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 University of Virginia's College at Wise's (39%).
• Graduates from Christopher Newport University earn a median of about $5,000 more per year than UVa-Wise graduates about ten years after starting college ($47,100 vs. $42,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Virginia's College at Wise graduates have a $4,173 lower median loan debt than CNU graduates ($20,827 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, UVa-Wise graduates have an estimated $43 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than CNU graduates ($215 vs. $258).
• More CNU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UVa-Wise students, three years after graduation. (78% vs. 57%)

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.