Add a college to compare up to four schools
Frequently compared to these colleges. Click a college to add to the comparison.
JMU Mason Virginia Tech Mary Washington College Old Dominion William & Mary UVA Longwood University WVU UMBC Howard Elon| Christopher Newport University | Virginia Commonwealth University | College 3 | College 4 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 |
 |
|||
| Remove | Remove | +Add | +Add | |
Overview |
CNU | VCU | ||
| Location | Newport News, VA | Richmond, VA | ||
| Setting | Midsize City | Midsize City | ||
| Enrollment | 4,559 | 28,082 | ||
| Type | Public 4 Year | Public 4 Year | ||
| National Ranking | #390 | #442 | ||
| Religious Affiliation | - | - | - | - |
| Status | Non-profit | Non-profit | ||
| Website | cnu.edu | vcu.edu | ||
| Team Colors |
Costs |
CNU | VCU | ||
| Tuition (In State) | $9,375 | $12,458 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tuition (Out of State) | $22,613 | $33,726 | ||
| Room & Board | $11,990 | $12,279 | ||
| Avg Net Price | $23,287 | $21,294 | ||
| Avg Grant Aid | $8,022 | $12,583 | ||
| % Receiving Grant Aid | 66% | 83% |
Admission |
CNU | VCU | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Admission Chances | Calculate | Calculate | ||
| Applied | 7,428 | 18,242 | ||
| Admitted | 6,340 | 16,600 | ||
| Acceptance Rate | 85.4% | 91% | ||
| Enrolled % | 18.3% | 25.1% | ||
| Avg High School GPA | 3.79 | 3.75 | ||
| Typical High School Grades | A- | A- | ||
| Admissions Standards | Challenging | Difficult | ||
| Applicant Competition | ||||
| ACT Range | 22/29 | 22/30 | ||
| SAT Range | 1100/1290 | 1030/1290 | ||
| 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 18, 2025 |
Academics |
CNU | VCU | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Student to Faculty Ratio | 13:1 | 16:1 | ||
| Popular Majors |
|
|
||
Outcomes |
CNU | VCU | ||
| Graduation Rate | 63% | 53% | ||
| Median Earnings (After 10 years) | $47,100 | $47,500 | ||
| Making Student Loan Payments | 78% | 56% | ||
| Median Student Loan Debt | $25,000 | $23,250 | ||
| Median Loan Payment | $258 | $240 |
Diversity |
CNU | VCU | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| % Men | 46% | 36% | ||
| % Women | 54% | 64% | ||
| Racial Diversity | Low | Very High | ||
| HBCU | No | No | ||
| % White | 74% | 50% | ||
| % Black | 8% | 18% | ||
| % Hispanic | 5% | 8% | ||
| % Native American | 0% | 0% | ||
| % Pacific Islander | 0% | 0% | ||
| % Two or More Races | 5% | 6% | ||
| % International | 0% | 3% | ||
| % Unknown Race | 5% | 1% |
Students |
CNU | VCU | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| % In-State | 91% | 92% | ||
| % Out-of-State | 6% | 6% | ||
Campus |
CNU | VCU | ||
| Campus Housing | Yes | Yes | ||
| Freshman Dorm Required | No | No | ||
| Meal Plan | Yes | Yes | ||
| Weekend/Evening Classes | No | Yes | ||
| Daycare Facility | No | Yes | ||
| Learn More | Details | Details |
Comparable Facts
- Virginia Commonwealth University is larger than than CNU based on total student enrollment (28,082 students vs. 4,559 students)
CNU vs. VCU Cost Comparison
Which college is more expensive, CNU or VCU?
- Virginia Commonwealth University is 32.9% more expensive to attend than CNU for in-state tuition ($12,458.00 vs. $9,375.00)
- Out of state tuition is 49.1% higher at VCU than Christopher Newport University ($33,726.00 vs. $22,613.00)
- The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Virginia Commonwealth University than CNU ($21,294 vs. $23,287)
- Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Christopher Newport University are 2.4% lower than costs at Virginia Commonwealth University ($11,990 vs. $12,279)
- More students receive financial grant aid at Virginia Commonwealth University than Christopher Newport University (83% vs. 66%)
- The average total grant financial aid received by Virginia Commonwealth University students is 56.9% larger than aid received Christopher Newport University ($12,583 vs. $8,022)
CNU vs. VCU Admissions Difficulty Comparison
Which college is harder to get into, CNU or VCU? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between VCU or CNU .
- The average SAT score at Christopher Newport University (1155) is 58 points higher than at VCU (1097)
- Incoming CNU students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (25) than students at VCU (24)
- Accepted freshman CNU students have a 0.04 point higher average high school GPA (3.79) than students at VCU (3.75)
- VCU has a higher acceptance rate (91%) than CNU (85.4%)
CNU vs. VCU Graduation Outcomes Comparison
Which is better, CNU or VCU? 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 VCU and CNU.
- The graduation rate at CNU is higher than Virginia Commonwealth University (63% vs. 53%)
- Graduates from Virginia Commonwealth University earn on average $400 more per year than CNU graduates after ten years. ($47,500 vs. $47,100)
- Virginia Commonwealth University students graduate with a $1,750 lower median federal student loan debt than CNU graduates. ($23,250 vs. $25,000)
- VCU graduates are paying $18 less per month on federal student loans than CNU graduates. ($240 vs. $258)
- More CNU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former VCU students, three years after graduation. (78% vs. 56%)
Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/