UNC Charlotte vs. CNU

Comparable Facts

Compare University of North Carolina at Charlotte in Charlotte, 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 Charlotte is larger than CNU based on total student enrollment (31,091 students vs. 4,454 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of North Carolina at Charlotte is located in Charlotte, NC (Large City setting); Christopher Newport University is in Newport News, VA (Midsize City setting).
• University of North Carolina at Charlotte 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 Charlotte 21:1; Christopher Newport University 13:1.

UNC Charlotte vs. CNU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UNC Charlotte 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 Charlotte than CNU ($15,045 vs. $23,148).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Christopher Newport University are 13.8% lower than at University of North Carolina at Charlotte ($12,460 vs. $14,458).
• Christopher Newport University is 132.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than UNC Charlotte (about $9,589 more per year; $16,828.00 vs. $7,239.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 38.6% higher at CNU than at University of North Carolina at Charlotte (about $8,686 more per year; $31,178.00 vs. $22,492.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Christopher Newport University than at University of North Carolina at Charlotte (64% vs. 60%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Christopher Newport University students is 31.7% larger than aid received by University of North Carolina at Charlotte students ($10,494 vs. $7,966).

UNC Charlotte vs. CNU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UNC Charlotte 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 Charlotte.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of North Carolina at Charlotte (1240) is 60 points higher than at CNU (1180).
• Incoming CNU students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (27 vs. 24 at UNC Charlotte).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of North Carolina at Charlotte 1140/1330; Christopher Newport University 1060/1290.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of North Carolina at Charlotte 21/28; Christopher Newport University 25/30.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UNC Charlotte - Test optional; CNU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UNC Charlotte Jun 1, 2027; CNU Feb 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman CNU students have a 0.22 point higher average high school GPA (3.79) than students at UNC Charlotte (3.57).
• CNU has a higher acceptance rate (86%) than UNC Charlotte (79.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 24.5% at UNC Charlotte vs. 18% at CNU.

UNC Charlotte vs. CNU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UNC Charlotte 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 University of North Carolina at Charlotte's (53%).
• Graduates from University of North Carolina at Charlotte earn a median of about $1,500 more per year than CNU graduates about ten years after starting college ($48,600 vs. $47,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of North Carolina at Charlotte graduates have a $2,000 lower median loan debt than CNU graduates ($23,000 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, UNC Charlotte graduates have an estimated $21 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than CNU graduates ($237 vs. $258).
• More CNU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UNC Charlotte students, three years after graduation. (78% vs. 61%)

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.