UD vs. CNU

Comparable Facts

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

University of Delaware is larger than CNU based on total student enrollment (24,412 students vs. 4,454 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Delaware is located in Newark, DE (Large Suburban setting); Christopher Newport University is in Newport News, VA (Midsize City setting).
• University of Delaware is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Christopher Newport University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Delaware 16:1; Christopher Newport University 13:1.

UD vs. CNU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UD 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 University of Delaware than CNU ($19,139 vs. $23,148).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Christopher Newport University are 19% lower than at University of Delaware ($12,460 vs. $15,386).
• Christopher Newport University is 0.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than UD (about $18 more per year; $16,828.00 vs. $16,810.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 32.8% higher at UD than at Christopher Newport University (about $10,222 more per year; $41,400.00 vs. $31,178.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Delaware than at Christopher Newport University (91% vs. 64%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Delaware students is 26.8% larger than aid received by Christopher Newport University students ($13,302 vs. $10,494).

UD vs. CNU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UD 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 UD.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Delaware (1280) is 100 points higher than at CNU (1180).
• Incoming UD students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (30 vs. 27 at CNU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Delaware 1190/1370; Christopher Newport University 1060/1290.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Delaware 28/32; Christopher Newport University 25/30.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UD - Test optional; CNU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UD Jan 15, 2027; CNU Feb 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman UD students have a 0.15 point higher average high school GPA (3.94) than students at CNU (3.79).
• CNU has a higher acceptance rate (86%) than UD (70.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15.7% at UD vs. 18% at CNU.

UD vs. CNU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UD 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).

• University of Delaware's six-year graduation rate (78%) is higher than Christopher Newport University's (63%).
• Graduates from University of Delaware earn a median of about $14,200 more per year than CNU graduates about ten years after starting college ($61,300 vs. $47,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Delaware graduates have a $797 lower median loan debt than CNU graduates ($24,203 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, UD graduates have an estimated $8 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than CNU graduates ($250 vs. $258).
• More UD graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former CNU students, three years after graduation. (80% 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.