CNU vs. WVU

Deciding between Christopher Newport University and West Virginia 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
West Virginia University

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  • Overview

  • Location
  • CNU Newport News, VA
  • WVU Morgantown, WV
  • Setting
  • CNU Midsize City
  • WVU Small City
  • Total enrollment
  • CNU 4,454
  • WVU 23,643
  • Type
  • CNU Public 4 Year
  • WVU Public 4 Year
  • National Ranking
  • CNU #378
  • WVU #566
  • Religious Affiliation
  • CNU -
  • WVU -
  • Status
  • CNU Non-profit
  • WVU Non-profit
  • Team Colors
  • CNU
  • WVU

  • Cost

  • Tuition (In State)
  • CNU $16,828
  • WVU $10,104
  • Tuition (Out of State)
  • CNU $31,178
  • WVU $28,608
  • Room & Board
  • CNU $12,460
  • WVU $14,582
  • Average Net Price
  • CNU $23,148
  • WVU $15,169
  • Average Grant Aid
  • CNU $10,494
  • WVU $12,363
  • % Receiving Grant Aid
  • CNU 64%
  • WVU 94%

  • Admissions

  • Applied
  • CNU 7,341
  • WVU 18,729
  • Admitted
  • CNU 6,316
  • WVU 16,669
  • Acceptance Rate
  • CNU 86%
  • WVU 89%
  • Enrolled
  • CNU 18%
  • WVU 24.8%
  • Typical SAT score
  • CNU 1180
  • WVU 1120
  • Typical ACT score
  • CNU 27
  • WVU 23
  • Average High School GPA
  • CNU 3.79
  • WVU 3.45
  • Typical High School Grades
  • CNU A-
  • WVU B+
  • Admissions Standards
  • CNU Challenging
  • WVU Moderate
  • Applicant Competition
  • CNU
  • WVU
  • ACT Range
  • CNU 25/30
  • WVU 20/26
  • SAT Range
  • CNU 1060/1290
  • WVU 1010/1220
  • Submit Test Scores
  • CNU Test optional
  • WVU Test optional
  • Application Deadline
  • CNU Feb 1, 2027
  • WVU

  • Academics

  • Student to Faculty Ratio
  • CNU 13:1
  • WVU 19:1
  • Popular Majors
  • CNU
    • Social Sciences (15%)
    • Communication (13%)
    • Biology (12%)
    • Business (11%)
    • Psychology (11%)
  • WVU
    • Business (12%)
    • Engineering (11%)
    • General Studies (10%)
    • Communication (9%)
    • Health Professions (8%)

  • Outcomes

  • Graduation Rate
  • CNU 63%
  • WVU 57%
  • Median Earnings (After 10 years)
  • CNU $47,100
  • WVU $50,600
  • Making Student Loan Payments
  • CNU 78%
  • WVU 59%
  • Median Student Loan Debt
  • CNU $25,000
  • WVU $24,001
  • Median Loan Payment
  • CNU $258
  • WVU $248

  • Diversity

  • % Men
  • CNU 47%
  • WVU 47%
  • % Women
  • CNU 53%
  • WVU 53%
  • Racial Diversity
  • CNU Low
  • WVU Low
  • HBCU
  • CNU No
  • WVU No
  • % White
  • CNU 74%
  • WVU 81%
  • % Asian
  • CNU 3%
  • WVU 1%
  • % Black
  • CNU 8%
  • WVU 5%
  • % Hispanic
  • CNU 5%
  • WVU 4%
  • % Native American
  • CNU 0%
  • WVU 0%
  • % Pacific Islander
  • CNU 0%
  • WVU 0%
  • % Two or More Races
  • CNU 5%
  • WVU 3%
  • % International
  • CNU 0%
  • WVU 6%
  • % Unknown Race
  • CNU 5%
  • WVU 0%

  • Students

  • % In-State
  • CNU 92%
  • WVU 41%
  • % Out-of-State
  • CNU 5%
  • WVU 58%

  • Campus

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

Comparable Facts

Compare Christopher Newport University in Newport News, VA with West Virginia University in Morgantown, WV on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

West Virginia University is larger than CNU based on total student enrollment (23,643 students vs. 4,454 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Christopher Newport University is located in Newport News, VA (Midsize City setting); West Virginia University is in Morgantown, WV (Small City setting).
  • Christopher Newport University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. West Virginia University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Christopher Newport University 13:1; West Virginia University 19:1.

CNU vs. WVU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, CNU or WVU? 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 West Virginia University than CNU ($15,169 vs. $23,148).
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Christopher Newport University are 14.6% lower than at West Virginia University ($12,460 vs. $14,582).
  • Christopher Newport University is 66.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than WVU (about $6,724 more per year; $16,828.00 vs. $10,104.00).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 9% higher at CNU than at West Virginia University (about $2,570 more per year; $31,178.00 vs. $28,608.00).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at West Virginia University than at Christopher Newport University (94% vs. 64%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by West Virginia University students is 17.8% larger than aid received by Christopher Newport University students ($12,363 vs. $10,494).

CNU vs. WVU Admissions comparison

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

  • The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Christopher Newport University (1180) is 60 points higher than at WVU (1120).
  • Incoming CNU students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (27 vs. 23 at WVU).
  • Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Christopher Newport University 1060/1290; West Virginia University 1010/1220.
  • Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Christopher Newport University 25/30; West Virginia University 20/26.
  • Submitting SAT or ACT scores: CNU - Test optional; WVU - Test optional.
  • Typical fall application deadline: CNU Feb 1, 2027.
  • Accepted freshman CNU students have a 0.34 point higher average high school GPA (3.79) than students at WVU (3.45).
  • WVU has a higher acceptance rate (89%) than CNU (86%).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 18% at CNU vs. 24.8% at WVU.

CNU vs. WVU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for CNU and WVU? 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 West Virginia University's (57%).
  • Graduates from West Virginia University earn a median of about $3,500 more per year than CNU graduates about ten years after starting college ($50,600 vs. $47,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
  • Among federal student loan borrowers, West Virginia University graduates have a $999 lower median loan debt than CNU graduates ($24,001 vs. $25,000).
  • Among borrowers, WVU graduates have an estimated $10 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than CNU graduates ($248 vs. $258).
  • More CNU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former WVU students, three years after graduation. (78% vs. 59%)

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.