NC State vs. CNU

Comparable Facts

Compare North Carolina State University at Raleigh in Raleigh, NC with Christopher Newport University in Newport News, VA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

North Carolina State University at Raleigh is larger than CNU based on total student enrollment (38,464 students vs. 4,454 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• North Carolina State University at Raleigh is located in Raleigh, NC (Large City setting); Christopher Newport University is in Newport News, VA (Midsize City setting).
• North Carolina State University at Raleigh is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Christopher Newport University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: North Carolina State University at Raleigh 15:1; Christopher Newport University 13:1.

NC State vs. CNU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, NC State 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 North Carolina State University at Raleigh than CNU ($15,522 vs. $23,148).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Christopher Newport University are 13.1% lower than at North Carolina State University at Raleigh ($12,460 vs. $14,332).
• Christopher Newport University is 91.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than NC State (about $8,029 more per year; $16,828.00 vs. $8,799.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 5.4% higher at NC State than at Christopher Newport University (about $1,669 more per year; $32,847.00 vs. $31,178.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Christopher Newport University than at North Carolina State University at Raleigh (64% vs. 51%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by North Carolina State University at Raleigh students is 11.3% larger than aid received by Christopher Newport University students ($11,675 vs. $10,494).

NC State vs. CNU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, NC State 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 NC State.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at North Carolina State University at Raleigh (1390) is 210 points higher than at CNU (1180).
• Incoming NC State students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (30 vs. 27 at CNU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: North Carolina State University at Raleigh 1300/1470; Christopher Newport University 1060/1290.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: North Carolina State University at Raleigh 28/32; Christopher Newport University 25/30.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: NC State - Test optional; CNU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: NC State Jan 15, 2027; CNU Feb 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman NC State students have a 0.04 point higher average high school GPA (3.83) than students at CNU (3.79).
• CNU has a higher acceptance rate (86%) than NC State (41.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 31.8% at NC State vs. 18% at CNU.

NC State vs. CNU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for NC State 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).

• North Carolina State University at Raleigh's six-year graduation rate (72%) is higher than Christopher Newport University's (63%).
• Graduates from North Carolina State University at Raleigh earn a median of about $10,100 more per year than CNU graduates about ten years after starting college ($57,200 vs. $47,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, North Carolina State University at Raleigh graduates have a $4,218 lower median loan debt than CNU graduates ($20,782 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, NC State graduates have an estimated $44 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than CNU graduates ($214 vs. $258).
• More CNU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former NC State students, three years after graduation. (78% vs. 76%)

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.