UNCSA vs. CNU

Comparable Facts

Compare University of North Carolina School of the Arts in Winston Salem, NC with Christopher Newport University in Newport News, VA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Christopher Newport University is larger than UNCSA based on total student enrollment (4,454 students vs. 1,111 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of North Carolina School of the Arts is located in Winston Salem, NC (Midsize City setting); Christopher Newport University is in Newport News, VA (Midsize City setting).
• University of North Carolina School of the Arts 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 School of the Arts 6:1; Christopher Newport University 13:1.

UNCSA vs. CNU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UNCSA 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 School of the Arts than CNU ($13,140 vs. $23,148).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Christopher Newport University are 7.8% lower than at University of North Carolina School of the Arts ($12,460 vs. $13,517).
• Christopher Newport University is 77.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than UNCSA (about $7,351 more per year; $16,828.00 vs. $9,477.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 14.6% higher at CNU than at University of North Carolina School of the Arts (about $3,967 more per year; $31,178.00 vs. $27,211.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Christopher Newport University than at University of North Carolina School of the Arts (64% vs. 62%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of North Carolina School of the Arts students is 22.7% larger than aid received by Christopher Newport University students ($12,876 vs. $10,494).

UNCSA vs. CNU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UNCSA 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 UNCSA.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of North Carolina School of the Arts (1260) is 80 points higher than at CNU (1180).
• Incoming CNU students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (27 vs. 25 at UNCSA).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of North Carolina School of the Arts 1140/1370; Christopher Newport University 1060/1290.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of North Carolina School of the Arts 22/29; Christopher Newport University 25/30.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UNCSA - Test optional; CNU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UNCSA Mar 15, 2027; CNU Feb 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman CNU students have a 0.04 point higher average high school GPA (3.79) than students at UNCSA (3.75).
• CNU has a higher acceptance rate (86%) than UNCSA (30%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 55.5% at UNCSA vs. 18% at CNU.

UNCSA vs. CNU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UNCSA 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 School of the Arts's (58%).
• Graduates from Christopher Newport University earn a median of about $8,000 more per year than UNCSA graduates about ten years after starting college ($47,100 vs. $39,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Christopher Newport University graduates have a $2,000 lower median loan debt than UNCSA graduates ($25,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, CNU graduates have an estimated $21 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UNCSA graduates ($258 vs. $279).
• More CNU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UNCSA students, three years after graduation. (78% vs. 56%)

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.