Penn State Brandywine vs. CNU

Comparable Facts

Compare Penn State Brandywine in Media, 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 Brandywine based on total student enrollment (4,454 students vs. 1,236 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Penn State Brandywine is located in Media, PA (Large Suburban setting); Christopher Newport University is in Newport News, VA (Midsize City setting).
• Penn State Brandywine 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 Brandywine 15:1; Christopher Newport University 13:1.

Penn State Brandywine vs. CNU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Penn State Brandywine 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 Brandywine than CNU ($22,710 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 Brandywine ($12,460 vs. $14,474).
• Christopher Newport University is 10.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Penn State Brandywine (about $1,620 more per year; $16,828.00 vs. $15,208.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 22.8% higher at CNU than at Penn State Brandywine (about $5,786 more per year; $31,178.00 vs. $25,392.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Penn State Brandywine than at Christopher Newport University (73% vs. 64%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Christopher Newport University students is 15.2% larger than aid received by Penn State Brandywine students ($10,494 vs. $9,113).

Penn State Brandywine vs. CNU Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Penn State Brandywine (1200) is 20 points higher than at CNU (1180).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Penn State Brandywine 1080/1310; Christopher Newport University 1060/1290.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsChristopher Newport University 25/30.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Penn State Brandywine - Test optional; CNU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: CNU Feb 1, 2027.
• Penn State Brandywine has a higher acceptance rate (98.1%) than CNU (86%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 16.8% at Penn State Brandywine vs. 18% at CNU.

Penn State Brandywine vs. CNU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Penn State Brandywine 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 Brandywine's (37%).
• Graduates from Penn State Brandywine 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 Brandywine graduates ($25,000 vs. $26,818).
• Among borrowers, CNU graduates have an estimated $19 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Penn State Brandywine graduates ($258 vs. $277).
• More CNU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Penn State Brandywine 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.