The University of Montana vs. CNU

Comparable Facts

Compare The University of Montana in Missoula, MT with Christopher Newport University in Newport News, VA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

The University of Montana is larger than CNU based on total student enrollment (10,811 students vs. 4,454 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• The University of Montana is located in Missoula, MT (Small City setting); Christopher Newport University is in Newport News, VA (Midsize City setting).
• The University of Montana is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Christopher Newport University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: The University of Montana 17:1; Christopher Newport University 13:1.

The University of Montana vs. CNU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, The University of Montana 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 The University of Montana than CNU ($17,370 vs. $23,148).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Christopher Newport University are 2.7% lower than at The University of Montana ($12,460 vs. $12,804).
• Christopher Newport University is 96.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than The University of Montana (about $8,276 more per year; $16,828.00 vs. $8,552.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 8% higher at The University of Montana than at Christopher Newport University (about $2,493 more per year; $33,671.00 vs. $31,178.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at The University of Montana than at Christopher Newport University (83% vs. 64%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Christopher Newport University students is 7.1% larger than aid received by The University of Montana students ($10,494 vs. $9,799).

The University of Montana vs. CNU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, The University of Montana 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 The University of Montana.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at The University of Montana (1180) is the same as at CNU (1180).
• Incoming CNU students have a 5 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (27 vs. 22 at The University of Montana).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: The University of Montana 1070/1280; Christopher Newport University 1060/1290.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: The University of Montana 18/26; Christopher Newport University 25/30.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: The University of Montana - Test optional; CNU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: The University of Montana Aug 18, 2027; CNU Feb 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman CNU students have a 0.43 point higher average high school GPA (3.79) than students at The University of Montana (3.36).
• The University of Montana has a higher acceptance rate (95.9%) than CNU (86%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 19.3% at The University of Montana vs. 18% at CNU.

The University of Montana vs. CNU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for The University of Montana 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 The University of Montana's (47%).
• Graduates from Christopher Newport University earn a median of about $6,100 more per year than The University of Montana graduates about ten years after starting college ($47,100 vs. $41,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, The University of Montana graduates have a $1,817 lower median loan debt than CNU graduates ($23,183 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, The University of Montana graduates have an estimated $19 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than CNU graduates ($239 vs. $258).
• More CNU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former The University of Montana students, three years after graduation. (78% vs. 59%)

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.