Penn State Wilkes-Barre vs. CNU

Comparable Facts

Compare Penn State Wilkes Barre in Dallas, 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 Wilkes-Barre based on total student enrollment (4,454 students vs. 315 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Penn State Wilkes Barre is located in Dallas, PA (Rural Fringe setting); Christopher Newport University is in Newport News, VA (Midsize City setting).
• Penn State Wilkes Barre 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 Wilkes Barre 10:1; Christopher Newport University 13:1.

Penn State Wilkes-Barre vs. CNU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Penn State Wilkes-Barre 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 Wilkes Barre than CNU ($16,621 vs. $23,148).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Christopher Newport University are 18.4% lower than at Penn State Wilkes Barre ($12,460 vs. $15,274).
• Christopher Newport University is 17.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than Penn State Wilkes-Barre (about $2,548 more per year; $16,828.00 vs. $14,280.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 29.9% higher at CNU than at Penn State Wilkes Barre (about $7,172 more per year; $31,178.00 vs. $24,006.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Penn State Wilkes Barre than at Christopher Newport University (89% vs. 64%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Christopher Newport University students is 7.7% larger than aid received by Penn State Wilkes Barre students ($10,494 vs. $9,742).

Penn State Wilkes-Barre vs. CNU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Penn State Wilkes-Barre 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 Wilkes-Barre.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Penn State Wilkes Barre (1210) is 30 points higher than at CNU (1180).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Penn State Wilkes Barre 1090/1330; 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 Wilkes-Barre - Test optional; CNU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: CNU Feb 1, 2027.
• Penn State Wilkes-Barre has a higher acceptance rate (97%) than CNU (86%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15% at Penn State Wilkes-Barre vs. 18% at CNU.

Penn State Wilkes-Barre vs. CNU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Penn State Wilkes-Barre 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 Wilkes Barre's (47%).
• Graduates from Penn State Wilkes Barre 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 Wilkes-Barre graduates ($25,000 vs. $26,818).
• Among borrowers, CNU graduates have an estimated $19 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Penn State Wilkes-Barre graduates ($258 vs. $277).
• More CNU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Penn State Wilkes-Barre 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.