Howard vs. CNU

Comparable Facts

Compare Howard University in Washington, DC with Christopher Newport University in Newport News, VA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Howard University is larger than CNU based on total student enrollment (14,890 students vs. 4,454 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Howard University is located in Washington, DC (Large City setting); Christopher Newport University is in Newport News, VA (Midsize City setting).
• Howard University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Christopher Newport University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Howard University 13:1; Christopher Newport University 13:1.

Howard vs. CNU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Howard 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 Howard ($23,148 vs. $33,368).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Christopher Newport University are 28.1% lower than at Howard University ($12,460 vs. $17,322).
• Howard University is 112.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than CNU (about $18,982 more per year; $35,810.00 vs. $16,828.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 14.9% higher at Howard than at Christopher Newport University (about $4,632 more per year; $35,810.00 vs. $31,178.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Howard University than at Christopher Newport University (99% vs. 64%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Howard University students is 102.6% larger than aid received by Christopher Newport University students ($21,262 vs. $10,494).

Howard vs. CNU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Howard 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 Howard.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Howard University (1210) is 30 points higher than at CNU (1180).
• Incoming CNU students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (27 vs. 25 at Howard).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Howard University 1090/1320; Christopher Newport University 1060/1290.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Howard University 22/28; Christopher Newport University 25/30.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Howard - Test optional; CNU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Howard Feb 15, 2027; CNU Feb 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman CNU students have a 0.13 point higher average high school GPA (3.79) than students at Howard (3.66).
• CNU has a higher acceptance rate (86%) than Howard (41.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 19.4% at Howard vs. 18% at CNU.

Howard vs. CNU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Howard 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).

• The graduation rate at Howard is the same as at Christopher Newport University (63% vs. 63%).
• Graduates from Howard University earn a median of about $4,700 more per year than CNU graduates about ten years after starting college ($51,800 vs. $47,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Christopher Newport University graduates have a $2,000 lower median loan debt than Howard graduates ($25,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, CNU graduates have an estimated $21 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Howard graduates ($258 vs. $279).
• More CNU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Howard students, three years after graduation. (78% vs. 33%)

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.