Rutgers University-Newark vs. CNU

Deciding between Rutgers University Newark and Christopher Newport University? The table below shows tuition, aid, admissions, and outcomes side by side. Data comes from public sources across more than 3,000 U.S. colleges and universities. No account is required.

Rutgers University Newark
Christopher Newport University

Frequently compared to these colleges. Click a college to add to the comparison. 

  • Overview

  • Location
  • Rutgers University-Newark Newark, NJ
  • CNU Newport News, VA
  • Setting
  • Rutgers University-Newark Large City
  • CNU Midsize City
  • Total enrollment
  • Rutgers University-Newark 11,315
  • CNU 4,454
  • Type
  • Rutgers University-Newark Public 4 Year
  • CNU Public 4 Year
  • National Ranking
  • Rutgers University-Newark #188
  • CNU #378
  • Religious Affiliation
  • Rutgers University-Newark -
  • CNU -
  • Status
  • Rutgers University-Newark Non-profit
  • CNU Non-profit
  • Team Colors
  • Rutgers University-Newark
  • CNU
  • Cost

  • Tuition (In State)
  • Rutgers University-Newark $17,250
  • CNU $16,828
  • Tuition (Out of State)
  • Rutgers University-Newark $36,762
  • CNU $31,178
  • Room & Board
  • Rutgers University-Newark $16,074
  • CNU $12,460
  • Average Net Price
  • Rutgers University-Newark $18,276
  • CNU $23,148
  • Average Grant Aid
  • Rutgers University-Newark $17,405
  • CNU $10,494
  • % Receiving Grant Aid
  • Rutgers University-Newark 72%
  • CNU 64%
  • Admissions

  • Applied
  • Rutgers University-Newark 36,793
  • CNU 7,341
  • Admitted
  • Rutgers University-Newark 26,254
  • CNU 6,316
  • Acceptance Rate
  • Rutgers University-Newark 71.4%
  • CNU 86%
  • Enrolled
  • Rutgers University-Newark 7.1%
  • CNU 18%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Rutgers University-Newark 1150
  • CNU 1180
  • Typical ACT score
  • Rutgers University-Newark 24
  • CNU 27
  • Average High School GPA
  • Rutgers University-Newark 3.23
  • CNU 3.79
  • Typical High School Grades
  • Rutgers University-Newark B+
  • CNU A-
  • Admissions Standards
  • Rutgers University-Newark Average
  • CNU Challenging
  • Applicant Competition
  • Rutgers University-Newark Low
  • CNU
  • ACT Range
  • Rutgers University-Newark 21/28
  • CNU 25/30
  • SAT Range
  • Rutgers University-Newark 1030/1270
  • CNU 1060/1290
  • Submit Test Scores
  • Rutgers University-Newark Test-free
  • CNU Test optional
  • Application Deadline
  • Rutgers University-Newark
  • CNU Feb 1, 2027
  • Academics

  • Student to Faculty Ratio
  • Rutgers University-Newark 14:1
  • CNU 13:1
  • Popular Majors
  • Rutgers University-Newark
    • Business (36%)
    • Health Professions (11%)
    • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (11%)
    • Psychology (10%)
    • Social Sciences (8%)
  • CNU
    • Social Sciences (15%)
    • Communication (13%)
    • Biology (12%)
    • Business (11%)
    • Psychology (11%)
  • Outcomes

  • Graduation Rate
  • Rutgers University-Newark 68%
  • CNU 63%
  • Median Earnings (After 10 years)
  • Rutgers University-Newark $66,200
  • CNU $47,100
  • Making Student Loan Payments
  • Rutgers University-Newark 68%
  • CNU 78%
  • Median Student Loan Debt
  • Rutgers University-Newark $22,215
  • CNU $25,000
  • Median Loan Payment
  • Rutgers University-Newark $229
  • CNU $258
  • Diversity

  • % Men
  • Rutgers University-Newark 48%
  • CNU 47%
  • % Women
  • Rutgers University-Newark 52%
  • CNU 53%
  • Racial Diversity
  • Rutgers University-Newark Very High
  • CNU Low
  • HBCU
  • Rutgers University-Newark No
  • CNU No
  • % White
  • Rutgers University-Newark 25%
  • CNU 74%
  • % Asian
  • Rutgers University-Newark 21%
  • CNU 3%
  • % Black
  • Rutgers University-Newark 19%
  • CNU 8%
  • % Hispanic
  • Rutgers University-Newark 27%
  • CNU 5%
  • % Native American
  • Rutgers University-Newark 0%
  • CNU 0%
  • % Pacific Islander
  • Rutgers University-Newark 0%
  • CNU 0%
  • % Two or More Races
  • Rutgers University-Newark 2%
  • CNU 5%
  • % International
  • Rutgers University-Newark 4%
  • CNU 0%
  • % Unknown Race
  • Rutgers University-Newark 2%
  • CNU 5%
  • Students

  • % In-State
  • Rutgers University-Newark 92%
  • CNU 92%
  • % Out-of-State
  • Rutgers University-Newark 4%
  • CNU 5%
  • Campus

  • Campus Housing
  • Rutgers University-Newark Yes
  • CNU Yes
  • Freshman Dorm Required
  • Rutgers University-Newark No
  • CNU No
  • Meal Plan
  • Rutgers University-Newark Yes
  • CNU Yes
  • Weekend/Evening Classes
  • Rutgers University-Newark No
  • CNU No
  • Daycare Facility
  • Rutgers University-Newark Yes
  • CNU No

Comparable Facts

Compare Rutgers University Newark in Newark, NJ with Christopher Newport University in Newport News, VA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Rutgers University Newark is larger than CNU based on total student enrollment (11,315 students vs. 4,454 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Rutgers University Newark is located in Newark, NJ (Large City setting); Christopher Newport University is in Newport News, VA (Midsize City setting).
  • Rutgers University Newark is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Christopher Newport University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Rutgers University Newark 14:1; Christopher Newport University 13:1.

Rutgers University-Newark vs. CNU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Rutgers University-Newark 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 Rutgers University Newark than CNU ($18,276 vs. $23,148).
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Christopher Newport University are 22.5% lower than at Rutgers University Newark ($12,460 vs. $16,074).
  • Rutgers University Newark is 2.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than CNU (about $422 more per year; $17,250.00 vs. $16,828.00).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 17.9% higher at Rutgers University-Newark than at Christopher Newport University (about $5,584 more per year; $36,762.00 vs. $31,178.00).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Rutgers University Newark than at Christopher Newport University (72% vs. 64%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Rutgers University Newark students is 65.9% larger than aid received by Christopher Newport University students ($17,405 vs. $10,494).

Rutgers University-Newark vs. CNU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Rutgers University-Newark 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 Rutgers University-Newark.

  • The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Christopher Newport University (1180) is 30 points higher than at Rutgers University-Newark (1150).
  • Incoming CNU students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (27 vs. 24 at Rutgers University-Newark).
  • Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Rutgers University Newark 1030/1270; Christopher Newport University 1060/1290.
  • Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Rutgers University Newark 21/28; Christopher Newport University 25/30.
  • Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Rutgers University-Newark - Test-free; CNU - Test optional.
  • Typical fall application deadline: CNU Feb 1, 2027.
  • Accepted freshman CNU students have a 0.56 point higher average high school GPA (3.79) than students at Rutgers University-Newark (3.23).
  • CNU has a higher acceptance rate (86%) than Rutgers University-Newark (71.4%).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 7.1% at Rutgers University-Newark vs. 18% at CNU.

Rutgers University-Newark vs. CNU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Rutgers University-Newark 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).

  • Rutgers University Newark's six-year graduation rate (68%) is higher than Christopher Newport University's (63%).
  • Graduates from Rutgers University Newark earn a median of about $19,100 more per year than CNU graduates about ten years after starting college ($66,200 vs. $47,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Rutgers University Newark graduates have a $2,785 lower median loan debt than CNU graduates ($22,215 vs. $25,000).
  • Among borrowers, Rutgers University-Newark graduates have an estimated $29 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than CNU graduates ($229 vs. $258).
  • More CNU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Rutgers University-Newark students, three years after graduation. (78% vs. 68%)

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.