TCNJ vs. CNU

Comparable Facts

Compare The College of New Jersey in Ewing, NJ with Christopher Newport University in Newport News, VA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

The College of New Jersey is larger than CNU based on total student enrollment (8,141 students vs. 4,454 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• The College of New Jersey is located in Ewing, NJ (Large Suburban setting); Christopher Newport University is in Newport News, VA (Midsize City setting).
• The College of New Jersey is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Christopher Newport University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: The College of New Jersey 14:1; Christopher Newport University 13:1.

TCNJ vs. CNU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, TCNJ 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 Christopher Newport University than TCNJ ($23,148 vs. $25,580).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Christopher Newport University are 16.8% lower than at The College of New Jersey ($12,460 vs. $14,976).
• The College of New Jersey is 16.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than CNU (about $2,804 more per year; $19,632.00 vs. $16,828.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 21.1% higher at CNU than at The College of New Jersey (about $5,426 more per year; $31,178.00 vs. $25,752.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Christopher Newport University than at The College of New Jersey (64% vs. 59%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by The College of New Jersey students is 27.3% larger than aid received by Christopher Newport University students ($13,360 vs. $10,494).

TCNJ vs. CNU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, TCNJ 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 TCNJ.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at The College of New Jersey (1240) is 60 points higher than at CNU (1180).
• Incoming TCNJ students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (28 vs. 27 at CNU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: The College of New Jersey 1140/1340; Christopher Newport University 1060/1290.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: The College of New Jersey 26/31; Christopher Newport University 25/30.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: TCNJ - Test optional; CNU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: TCNJ Feb 1, 2027; CNU Feb 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman CNU students have a 0.5 point higher average high school GPA (3.79) than students at TCNJ (3.29).
• CNU has a higher acceptance rate (86%) than TCNJ (62.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 19.7% at TCNJ vs. 18% at CNU.

TCNJ vs. CNU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for TCNJ 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).

• The College of New Jersey's six-year graduation rate (87%) is higher than Christopher Newport University's (63%).
• Graduates from The College of New Jersey earn a median of about $15,000 more per year than CNU graduates about ten years after starting college ($62,100 vs. $47,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, The College of New Jersey graduates have a $1,750 lower median loan debt than CNU graduates ($23,250 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, TCNJ graduates have an estimated $18 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than CNU graduates ($240 vs. $258).
• More TCNJ graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former CNU students, three years after graduation. (85% vs. 78%)

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.