UNCW vs. CNU

Comparable Facts

Compare University of North Carolina Wilmington in Wilmington, 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 Wilmington is larger than CNU based on total student enrollment (18,848 students vs. 4,454 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of North Carolina Wilmington is located in Wilmington, NC (Midsize City setting); Christopher Newport University is in Newport News, VA (Midsize City setting).
• University of North Carolina Wilmington 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 Wilmington 17:1; Christopher Newport University 13:1.

UNCW vs. CNU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UNCW 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 Wilmington than CNU ($18,976 vs. $23,148).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Christopher Newport University are 12.7% lower than at University of North Carolina Wilmington ($12,460 vs. $14,268).
• Christopher Newport University is 131.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than UNCW (about $9,551 more per year; $16,828.00 vs. $7,277.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 29.1% higher at CNU than at University of North Carolina Wilmington (about $7,026 more per year; $31,178.00 vs. $24,152.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Christopher Newport University than at University of North Carolina Wilmington (64% vs. 55%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Christopher Newport University students is 57.2% larger than aid received by University of North Carolina Wilmington students ($10,494 vs. $6,674).

UNCW vs. CNU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UNCW 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 UNCW.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of North Carolina Wilmington (1290) is 110 points higher than at CNU (1180).
• Incoming CNU students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (27 vs. 26 at UNCW).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of North Carolina Wilmington 1230/1340; Christopher Newport University 1060/1290.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of North Carolina Wilmington 24/29; Christopher Newport University 25/30.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UNCW - Test optional; CNU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UNCW Feb 1, 2027; CNU Feb 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman CNU students have a 0.23 point higher average high school GPA (3.79) than students at UNCW (3.56).
• CNU has a higher acceptance rate (86%) than UNCW (64.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 21% at UNCW vs. 18% at CNU.

UNCW vs. CNU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UNCW 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 Wilmington's six-year graduation rate (67%) is higher than Christopher Newport University's (63%).
• Graduates from Christopher Newport University earn a median of about $2,400 more per year than UNCW graduates about ten years after starting college ($47,100 vs. $44,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of North Carolina Wilmington graduates have a $4,500 lower median loan debt than CNU graduates ($20,500 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, UNCW graduates have an estimated $47 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than CNU graduates ($211 vs. $258).
• More CNU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UNCW students, three years after graduation. (78% vs. 64%)

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.