Penn State Beaver vs. CNU

Comparable Facts

Compare Penn State Beaver in Monaca, 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 Penn State Beaver based on total student enrollment (4,454 students vs. 482 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Penn State Beaver vs. CNU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Penn State Beaver 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 Penn State Beaver than CNU ($18,581 vs. $23,148).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Christopher Newport University are 13.9% lower than at Penn State Beaver ($12,460 vs. $14,474).
• Christopher Newport University is 16.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than Penn State Beaver (about $2,420 more per year; $16,828.00 vs. $14,408.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 29.2% higher at CNU than at Penn State Beaver (about $7,044 more per year; $31,178.00 vs. $24,134.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Penn State Beaver than at Christopher Newport University (88% vs. 64%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Christopher Newport University students is 16% larger than aid received by Penn State Beaver students ($10,494 vs. $9,045).

Penn State Beaver vs. CNU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Penn State Beaver 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 Penn State Beaver.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Penn State Beaver (1190) is 10 points higher than at CNU (1180).
• Incoming CNU students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (27 vs. 25 at Penn State Beaver).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Penn State Beaver 1080/1290; Christopher Newport University 1060/1290.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Penn State Beaver 24/27; Christopher Newport University 25/30.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Penn State Beaver - Test optional; CNU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: CNU Feb 1, 2027.
• Penn State Beaver has a higher acceptance rate (95.7%) than CNU (86%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 9.5% at Penn State Beaver vs. 18% at CNU.

Penn State Beaver vs. CNU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Penn State Beaver 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).

• Christopher Newport University's six-year graduation rate (63%) is higher than Penn State Beaver's (47%).
• Graduates from Penn State Beaver earn a median of about $8,200 more per year than CNU graduates about ten years after starting college ($55,300 vs. $47,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Christopher Newport University graduates have a $1,818 lower median loan debt than Penn State Beaver graduates ($25,000 vs. $26,818).
• Among borrowers, CNU graduates have an estimated $19 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Penn State Beaver graduates ($258 vs. $277).
• More CNU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Penn State Beaver students, three years after graduation. (78% vs. 69%)

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.