William & Mary vs. CNU

Comparable Facts

Compare William & Mary in Williamsburg, VA with Christopher Newport University in Newport News, VA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

William & Mary is larger than CNU based on total student enrollment (9,818 students vs. 4,454 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• William & Mary is located in Williamsburg, VA (Large Suburban setting); Christopher Newport University is in Newport News, VA (Midsize City setting).
• William & Mary is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Christopher Newport University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: William & Mary 12:1; Christopher Newport University 13:1.

William & Mary vs. CNU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, William & Mary or CNU? 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 William & Mary than CNU ($19,686 vs. $23,148).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Christopher Newport University are 23% lower than at William & Mary ($12,460 vs. $16,182).
• William & Mary is 54% more expensive for in-state tuition than CNU (about $9,086 more per year; $25,914.00 vs. $16,828.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 63.7% higher at William & Mary than at Christopher Newport University (about $19,860 more per year; $51,038.00 vs. $31,178.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Christopher Newport University than at William & Mary (64% vs. 43%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by William & Mary students is 120.5% larger than aid received by Christopher Newport University students ($23,144 vs. $10,494).

William & Mary vs. CNU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, William & Mary or CNU? 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 CNU and William & Mary.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at William & Mary (1470) is 290 points higher than at CNU (1180).
• Incoming William & Mary students have a 6 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (33 vs. 27 at CNU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: William & Mary 1400/1530; Christopher Newport University 1060/1290.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: William & Mary 32/34; Christopher Newport University 25/30.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: William & Mary - Test optional; CNU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: William & Mary Jan 2, 2027; CNU Feb 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman William & Mary students have a 0.06 point higher average high school GPA (3.85) than students at CNU (3.79).
• CNU has a higher acceptance rate (86%) than William & Mary (34.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 26.6% at William & Mary vs. 18% at CNU.

William & Mary vs. CNU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for William & Mary and CNU? 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).

• William & Mary's six-year graduation rate (91%) is higher than Christopher Newport University's (63%).
• Graduates from William & Mary earn a median of about $21,600 more per year than CNU graduates about ten years after starting college ($68,700 vs. $47,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, William & Mary graduates have a $5,500 lower median loan debt than CNU graduates ($19,500 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, William & Mary graduates have an estimated $57 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than CNU graduates ($201 vs. $258).
• More William & Mary graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former CNU students, three years after graduation. (85% vs. 78%)

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.