UNC Chapel Hill vs. CNU

Comparable Facts

Compare University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in Chapel Hill, NC with Christopher Newport University in Newport News, VA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is larger than CNU based on total student enrollment (32,438 students vs. 4,454 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is located in Chapel Hill, NC (Small City setting); Christopher Newport University is in Newport News, VA (Midsize City setting).
• University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill 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 North Carolina at Chapel Hill 15:1; Christopher Newport University 13:1.

UNC Chapel Hill vs. CNU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UNC Chapel Hill 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 North Carolina at Chapel Hill than CNU ($10,154 vs. $23,148).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Christopher Newport University are 9.7% lower than at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill ($12,460 vs. $13,804).
• Christopher Newport University is 87.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than UNC Chapel Hill (about $7,834 more per year; $16,828.00 vs. $8,994.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 32.2% higher at UNC Chapel Hill than at Christopher Newport University (about $10,025 more per year; $41,203.00 vs. $31,178.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Christopher Newport University than at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (64% vs. 38%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill students is 69.8% larger than aid received by Christopher Newport University students ($17,814 vs. $10,494).

UNC Chapel Hill vs. CNU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UNC Chapel Hill 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 UNC Chapel Hill.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (1460) is 280 points higher than at CNU (1180).
• Incoming UNC Chapel Hill students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (31 vs. 27 at CNU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill 1390/1530; Christopher Newport University 1060/1290.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill 28/34; Christopher Newport University 25/30.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UNC Chapel Hill - Test optional; CNU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UNC Chapel Hill Jan 15, 2027; CNU Feb 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman UNC Chapel Hill students have a 0.04 point higher average high school GPA (3.83) than students at CNU (3.79).
• CNU has a higher acceptance rate (86%) than UNC Chapel Hill (15.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 45.5% at UNC Chapel Hill vs. 18% at CNU.

UNC Chapel Hill vs. CNU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UNC Chapel Hill 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 North Carolina at Chapel Hill's six-year graduation rate (89%) is higher than Christopher Newport University's (63%).
• Graduates from University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill earn a median of about $19,000 more per year than CNU graduates about ten years after starting college ($66,100 vs. $47,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill graduates have a $8,521 lower median loan debt than CNU graduates ($16,479 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, UNC Chapel Hill graduates have an estimated $88 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than CNU graduates ($170 vs. $258).
• More UNC Chapel Hill graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former CNU students, three years after graduation. (82% 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.