TU vs. CNU

Deciding between Towson University 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.

Towson University
Christopher Newport University

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

  • Overview

  • Location
  • TU Towson, MD
  • CNU Newport News, VA
  • Setting
  • TU Small City
  • CNU Midsize City
  • Total enrollment
  • TU 19,401
  • CNU 4,454
  • Type
  • TU Public 4 Year
  • CNU Public 4 Year
  • National Ranking
  • TU #396
  • CNU #378
  • Religious Affiliation
  • TU -
  • CNU -
  • Status
  • TU Non-profit
  • CNU Non-profit
  • Team Colors
  • TU
  • CNU

  • Cost

  • Tuition (In State)
  • TU $11,728
  • CNU $16,828
  • Tuition (Out of State)
  • TU $29,820
  • CNU $31,178
  • Room & Board
  • TU $16,260
  • CNU $12,460
  • Average Net Price
  • TU $16,653
  • CNU $23,148
  • Average Grant Aid
  • TU $11,820
  • CNU $10,494
  • % Receiving Grant Aid
  • TU 73%
  • CNU 64%

  • Admissions

  • Applied
  • TU 19,777
  • CNU 7,341
  • Admitted
  • TU 16,212
  • CNU 6,316
  • Acceptance Rate
  • TU 82%
  • CNU 86%
  • Enrolled
  • TU 18.2%
  • CNU 18%
  • Typical SAT score
  • TU 1090
  • CNU 1180
  • Typical ACT score
  • TU 23
  • CNU 27
  • Average High School GPA
  • TU 3.69
  • CNU 3.79
  • Typical High School Grades
  • TU A-
  • CNU A-
  • Admissions Standards
  • TU Moderate
  • CNU Challenging
  • Applicant Competition
  • TU
  • CNU
  • ACT Range
  • TU 19/27
  • CNU 25/30
  • SAT Range
  • TU 950/1235
  • CNU 1060/1290
  • Submit Test Scores
  • TU Test optional
  • CNU Test optional
  • Application Deadline
  • TU Apr 1, 2027
  • CNU Feb 1, 2027

  • Academics

  • Student to Faculty Ratio
  • TU 14:1
  • CNU 13:1
  • Popular Majors
  • TU
    • Business (18%)
    • Education (11%)
    • Social Sciences (11%)
    • Communication (9%)
    • Health Professions (9%)
  • CNU
    • Social Sciences (15%)
    • Communication (13%)
    • Biology (12%)
    • Business (11%)
    • Psychology (11%)

  • Outcomes

  • Graduation Rate
  • TU 64%
  • CNU 63%
  • Median Earnings (After 10 years)
  • TU $53,500
  • CNU $47,100
  • Making Student Loan Payments
  • TU 69%
  • CNU 78%
  • Median Student Loan Debt
  • TU $17,750
  • CNU $25,000
  • Median Loan Payment
  • TU $183
  • CNU $258

  • Diversity

  • % Men
  • TU 38%
  • CNU 47%
  • % Women
  • TU 62%
  • CNU 53%
  • Racial Diversity
  • TU Medium
  • CNU Low
  • HBCU
  • TU No
  • CNU No
  • % White
  • TU 61%
  • CNU 74%
  • % Asian
  • TU 5%
  • CNU 3%
  • % Black
  • TU 18%
  • CNU 8%
  • % Hispanic
  • TU 6%
  • CNU 5%
  • % Native American
  • TU 0%
  • CNU 0%
  • % Pacific Islander
  • TU 0%
  • CNU 0%
  • % Two or More Races
  • TU 4%
  • CNU 5%
  • % International
  • TU 2%
  • CNU 0%
  • % Unknown Race
  • TU 3%
  • CNU 5%

  • Students

  • % In-State
  • TU 88%
  • CNU 92%
  • % Out-of-State
  • TU 11%
  • CNU 5%

  • Campus

  • Campus Housing
  • TU Yes
  • CNU Yes
  • Freshman Dorm Required
  • TU No
  • CNU No
  • Meal Plan
  • TU Yes
  • CNU Yes
  • Weekend/Evening Classes
  • TU No
  • CNU No
  • Daycare Facility
  • TU Yes
  • CNU No

Comparable Facts

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

Towson University is larger than CNU based on total student enrollment (19,401 students vs. 4,454 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

TU vs. CNU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, TU 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 Towson University than CNU ($16,653 vs. $23,148).
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Christopher Newport University are 23.4% lower than at Towson University ($12,460 vs. $16,260).
  • Christopher Newport University is 43.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than TU (about $5,100 more per year; $16,828.00 vs. $11,728.00).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 4.6% higher at CNU than at Towson University (about $1,358 more per year; $31,178.00 vs. $29,820.00).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Towson University than at Christopher Newport University (73% vs. 64%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Towson University students is 12.6% larger than aid received by Christopher Newport University students ($11,820 vs. $10,494).

TU vs. CNU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, TU 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 TU.

  • The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Christopher Newport University (1180) is 90 points higher than at TU (1090).
  • Incoming CNU students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (27 vs. 23 at TU).
  • Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Towson University 950/1235; Christopher Newport University 1060/1290.
  • Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Towson University 19/27; Christopher Newport University 25/30.
  • Submitting SAT or ACT scores: TU - Test optional; CNU - Test optional.
  • Typical fall application deadline: TU Apr 1, 2027; CNU Feb 1, 2027.
  • Accepted freshman CNU students have a 0.1 point higher average high school GPA (3.79) than students at TU (3.69).
  • CNU has a higher acceptance rate (86%) than TU (82%).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 18.2% at TU vs. 18% at CNU.

TU vs. CNU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for TU 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).

  • Towson University's six-year graduation rate (64%) is higher than Christopher Newport University's (63%).
  • Graduates from Towson University earn a median of about $6,400 more per year than CNU graduates about ten years after starting college ($53,500 vs. $47,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Towson University graduates have a $7,250 lower median loan debt than CNU graduates ($17,750 vs. $25,000).
  • Among borrowers, TU graduates have an estimated $75 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than CNU graduates ($183 vs. $258).
  • More CNU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former TU 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.