Mount St. Mary's University vs. CNU

Comparable Facts

Compare Mount St. Mary's University in Emmitsburg, MD 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 Mount St. Mary's University based on total student enrollment (4,454 students vs. 2,408 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Mount St. Mary's University is located in Emmitsburg, MD (Rural Fringe setting); Christopher Newport University is in Newport News, VA (Midsize City setting).
• Mount St. Mary's University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Christopher Newport University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Mount St. Mary's University 13:1; Christopher Newport University 13:1.

Mount St. Mary's University vs. CNU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Mount St. Mary's 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 Mount St. Mary's University than CNU ($23,027 vs. $23,148).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Christopher Newport University are 17.2% lower than at Mount St. Mary's University ($12,460 vs. $15,050).
• Mount St. Mary's University is 189% more expensive for in-state tuition than CNU (about $31,802 more per year; $48,630.00 vs. $16,828.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 56% higher at Mount St. Mary's University than at Christopher Newport University (about $17,452 more per year; $48,630.00 vs. $31,178.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Mount St. Mary's University than at Christopher Newport University (100% vs. 64%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Mount St. Mary's University students is 287.1% larger than aid received by Christopher Newport University students ($40,619 vs. $10,494).

Mount St. Mary's University vs. CNU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Mount St. Mary's 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 Mount St. Mary's University.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Christopher Newport University (1180) is 20 points higher than at Mount St. Mary's University (1160).
• Incoming CNU students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (27 vs. 23 at Mount St. Mary's University).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Mount St. Mary's University 1046/1280; Christopher Newport University 1060/1290.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Mount St. Mary's University 19/27; Christopher Newport University 25/30.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Mount St. Mary's University - Test optional; CNU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Mount St. Mary's University Mar 1, 2027; CNU Feb 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman CNU students have a 0.43 point higher average high school GPA (3.79) than students at Mount St. Mary's University (3.36).
• CNU has a higher acceptance rate (86%) than Mount St. Mary's University (73.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.2% at Mount St. Mary's University vs. 18% at CNU.

Mount St. Mary's University vs. CNU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Mount St. Mary's 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).

• Mount St. Mary's University's six-year graduation rate (76%) is higher than Christopher Newport University's (63%).
• Graduates from Mount St. Mary's University earn a median of about $9,000 more per year than CNU graduates about ten years after starting college ($56,100 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 Mount St. Mary's University graduates ($25,000 vs. $26,000).
• Among borrowers, CNU graduates have an estimated $10 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Mount St. Mary's University graduates ($258 vs. $268).
• More CNU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Mount St. Mary's University students, three years after graduation. (78% vs. 77%)

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.