DeSales University vs. CNU

Deciding between DeSales University and Christopher Newport 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.

DeSales University
Christopher Newport University

Frequently compared to these colleges. Click a college to add to the comparison. 

  • Overview

  • Location
  • DeSales University Center Valley, PA
  • CNU Newport News, VA
  • Setting
  • DeSales University Large Suburban
  • CNU Midsize City
  • Total enrollment
  • DeSales University 2,972
  • CNU 4,454
  • Type
  • DeSales University Private 4 Year
  • CNU Public 4 Year
  • National Ranking
  • DeSales University #322
  • CNU #378
  • Religious Affiliation
  • DeSales University Roman Catholic
  • CNU -
  • Status
  • DeSales University Non-profit
  • CNU Non-profit
  • Team Colors
  • DeSales University
  • CNU
  • Cost

  • Tuition (In State)
  • DeSales University $46,800
  • CNU $16,828
  • Tuition (Out of State)
  • DeSales University $46,800
  • CNU $31,178
  • Room & Board
  • DeSales University $13,800
  • CNU $12,460
  • Average Net Price
  • DeSales University $31,732
  • CNU $23,148
  • Average Grant Aid
  • DeSales University $30,909
  • CNU $10,494
  • % Receiving Grant Aid
  • DeSales University 100%
  • CNU 64%
  • Admissions

  • Applied
  • DeSales University 3,977
  • CNU 7,341
  • Admitted
  • DeSales University 3,066
  • CNU 6,316
  • Acceptance Rate
  • DeSales University 77.1%
  • CNU 86%
  • Enrolled
  • DeSales University 16.7%
  • CNU 18%
  • Typical SAT score
  • DeSales University 1180
  • CNU 1180
  • Typical ACT score
  • DeSales University 27
  • CNU 27
  • Average High School GPA
  • DeSales University 3.39
  • CNU 3.79
  • Typical High School Grades
  • DeSales University B+
  • CNU A-
  • Admissions Standards
  • DeSales University Average
  • CNU Challenging
  • Applicant Competition
  • DeSales University
  • CNU
  • ACT Range
  • DeSales University 27/28
  • CNU 25/30
  • SAT Range
  • DeSales University 1090/1260
  • CNU 1060/1290
  • Submit Test Scores
  • DeSales University Test optional
  • CNU Test optional
  • Application Deadline
  • DeSales University Aug 1, 2027
  • CNU Feb 1, 2027
  • Academics

  • Student to Faculty Ratio
  • DeSales University 12:1
  • CNU 13:1
  • Popular Majors
  • DeSales University
    • Business (29%)
    • Health Professions (19%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (11%)
    • Biology (5%)
    • Communication (5%)
  • CNU
    • Social Sciences (15%)
    • Communication (13%)
    • Biology (12%)
    • Business (11%)
    • Psychology (11%)
  • Outcomes

  • Graduation Rate
  • DeSales University 69%
  • CNU 63%
  • Median Earnings (After 10 years)
  • DeSales University $51,100
  • CNU $47,100
  • Making Student Loan Payments
  • DeSales University 71%
  • CNU 78%
  • Median Student Loan Debt
  • DeSales University $26,000
  • CNU $25,000
  • Median Loan Payment
  • DeSales University $268
  • CNU $258
  • Diversity

  • % Men
  • DeSales University 35%
  • CNU 47%
  • % Women
  • DeSales University 65%
  • CNU 53%
  • Racial Diversity
  • DeSales University Low
  • CNU Low
  • HBCU
  • DeSales University No
  • CNU No
  • % White
  • DeSales University 75%
  • CNU 74%
  • % Asian
  • DeSales University 2%
  • CNU 3%
  • % Black
  • DeSales University 4%
  • CNU 8%
  • % Hispanic
  • DeSales University 12%
  • CNU 5%
  • % Native American
  • DeSales University 0%
  • CNU 0%
  • % Pacific Islander
  • DeSales University 0%
  • CNU 0%
  • % Two or More Races
  • DeSales University 2%
  • CNU 5%
  • % International
  • DeSales University 0%
  • CNU 0%
  • % Unknown Race
  • DeSales University 6%
  • CNU 5%
  • Students

  • % In-State
  • DeSales University 70%
  • CNU 92%
  • % Out-of-State
  • DeSales University 30%
  • CNU 5%
  • Campus

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

Comparable Facts

Compare DeSales University in Center Valley, PA with Christopher Newport University in Newport News, VA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Christopher Newport University is larger than DeSales University based on total student enrollment (4,454 students vs. 2,972 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • DeSales University is located in Center Valley, PA (Large Suburban setting); Christopher Newport University is in Newport News, VA (Midsize City setting).
  • DeSales University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Christopher Newport University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: DeSales University 12:1; Christopher Newport University 13:1.

DeSales University vs. CNU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, DeSales University 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 Christopher Newport University than DeSales University ($23,148 vs. $31,732).
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Christopher Newport University are 9.7% lower than at DeSales University ($12,460 vs. $13,800).
  • DeSales University is 178.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than CNU (about $29,972 more per year; $46,800.00 vs. $16,828.00).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 50.1% higher at DeSales University than at Christopher Newport University (about $15,622 more per year; $46,800.00 vs. $31,178.00).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at DeSales University than at Christopher Newport University (100% vs. 64%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by DeSales University students is 194.5% larger than aid received by Christopher Newport University students ($30,909 vs. $10,494).

DeSales University vs. CNU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, DeSales University 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 DeSales University.

  • The typical SAT score (median estimate) at DeSales University (1180) is the same as at CNU (1180).
  • Incoming DeSales University students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 27) as students at CNU (27).
  • Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: DeSales University 1090/1260; Christopher Newport University 1060/1290.
  • Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: DeSales University 27/28; Christopher Newport University 25/30.
  • Submitting SAT or ACT scores: DeSales University - Test optional; CNU - Test optional.
  • Typical fall application deadline: DeSales University Aug 1, 2027; CNU Feb 1, 2027.
  • Accepted freshman CNU students have a 0.4 point higher average high school GPA (3.79) than students at DeSales University (3.39).
  • CNU has a higher acceptance rate (86%) than DeSales University (77.1%).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 16.7% at DeSales University vs. 18% at CNU.

DeSales University vs. CNU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for DeSales University 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).

  • DeSales University's six-year graduation rate (69%) is higher than Christopher Newport University's (63%).
  • Graduates from DeSales University earn a median of about $4,000 more per year than CNU graduates about ten years after starting college ($51,100 vs. $47,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Christopher Newport University graduates have a $1,000 lower median loan debt than DeSales University graduates ($25,000 vs. $26,000).
  • Among borrowers, CNU graduates have an estimated $10 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than DeSales University graduates ($258 vs. $268).
  • More CNU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former DeSales University students, three years after graduation. (78% vs. 71%)

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.