University of Scranton vs. CNU

Deciding between University of Scranton and Christopher Newport University? The table below shows tuition, aid, admissions, and outcomes side by side. Data comes from public sources across more than 3,000 U.S. colleges and universities. No account is required.

University of Scranton
Christopher Newport University

Frequently compared to these colleges. Click a college to add to the comparison. 

  • Overview

  • Location
  • University of Scranton Scranton, PA
  • CNU Newport News, VA
  • Setting
  • University of Scranton Small City
  • CNU Midsize City
  • Total enrollment
  • University of Scranton 4,724
  • CNU 4,454
  • Type
  • University of Scranton Private 4 Year
  • CNU Public 4 Year
  • National Ranking
  • University of Scranton #219
  • CNU #378
  • Religious Affiliation
  • University of Scranton Roman Catholic
  • CNU -
  • Status
  • University of Scranton Non-profit
  • CNU Non-profit
  • Team Colors
  • University of Scranton
  • CNU
  • Cost

  • Tuition (In State)
  • University of Scranton $53,983
  • CNU $16,828
  • Tuition (Out of State)
  • University of Scranton $53,983
  • CNU $31,178
  • Room & Board
  • University of Scranton $17,380
  • CNU $12,460
  • Average Net Price
  • University of Scranton $34,234
  • CNU $23,148
  • Average Grant Aid
  • University of Scranton $35,606
  • CNU $10,494
  • % Receiving Grant Aid
  • University of Scranton 96%
  • CNU 64%
  • Admissions

  • Applied
  • University of Scranton 9,666
  • CNU 7,341
  • Admitted
  • University of Scranton 7,852
  • CNU 6,316
  • Acceptance Rate
  • University of Scranton 81.2%
  • CNU 86%
  • Enrolled
  • University of Scranton 11.3%
  • CNU 18%
  • Typical SAT score
  • University of Scranton 1240
  • CNU 1180
  • Typical ACT score
  • University of Scranton 27
  • CNU 27
  • Average High School GPA
  • University of Scranton 3.56
  • CNU 3.79
  • Typical High School Grades
  • University of Scranton A-
  • CNU A-
  • Admissions Standards
  • University of Scranton Difficult
  • CNU Challenging
  • Applicant Competition
  • University of Scranton
  • CNU
  • ACT Range
  • University of Scranton 25/30
  • CNU 25/30
  • SAT Range
  • University of Scranton 1160/1318
  • CNU 1060/1290
  • Submit Test Scores
  • University of Scranton Test optional
  • CNU Test optional
  • Application Deadline
  • University of Scranton Mar 1, 2027
  • CNU Feb 1, 2027
  • Academics

  • Student to Faculty Ratio
  • University of Scranton 11:1
  • CNU 13:1
  • Popular Majors
  • University of Scranton
    • Business (20%)
    • Education (13%)
    • Biology (11%)
    • Health Professions (10%)
    • Communication (7%)
  • CNU
    • Social Sciences (15%)
    • Communication (13%)
    • Biology (12%)
    • Business (11%)
    • Psychology (11%)
  • Outcomes

  • Graduation Rate
  • University of Scranton 77%
  • CNU 63%
  • Median Earnings (After 10 years)
  • University of Scranton $62,100
  • CNU $47,100
  • Making Student Loan Payments
  • University of Scranton 81%
  • CNU 78%
  • Median Student Loan Debt
  • University of Scranton $27,000
  • CNU $25,000
  • Median Loan Payment
  • University of Scranton $279
  • CNU $258
  • Diversity

  • % Men
  • University of Scranton 43%
  • CNU 47%
  • % Women
  • University of Scranton 57%
  • CNU 53%
  • Racial Diversity
  • University of Scranton Very Low
  • CNU Low
  • HBCU
  • University of Scranton No
  • CNU No
  • % White
  • University of Scranton 82%
  • CNU 74%
  • % Asian
  • University of Scranton 2%
  • CNU 3%
  • % Black
  • University of Scranton 2%
  • CNU 8%
  • % Hispanic
  • University of Scranton 9%
  • CNU 5%
  • % Native American
  • University of Scranton 0%
  • CNU 0%
  • % Pacific Islander
  • University of Scranton 0%
  • CNU 0%
  • % Two or More Races
  • University of Scranton 2%
  • CNU 5%
  • % International
  • University of Scranton 1%
  • CNU 0%
  • % Unknown Race
  • University of Scranton 2%
  • CNU 5%
  • Students

  • % In-State
  • University of Scranton 45%
  • CNU 92%
  • % Out-of-State
  • University of Scranton 55%
  • CNU 5%
  • Campus

  • Campus Housing
  • University of Scranton Yes
  • CNU Yes
  • Freshman Dorm Required
  • University of Scranton No
  • CNU No
  • Meal Plan
  • University of Scranton Yes
  • CNU Yes
  • Weekend/Evening Classes
  • University of Scranton Yes
  • CNU No
  • Daycare Facility
  • University of Scranton No
  • CNU No

Comparable Facts

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

University of Scranton is larger than CNU based on total student enrollment (4,724 students vs. 4,454 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • University of Scranton is located in Scranton, PA (Small City setting); Christopher Newport University is in Newport News, VA (Midsize City setting).
  • University of Scranton is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Christopher Newport University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Scranton 11:1; Christopher Newport University 13:1.

University of Scranton vs. CNU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, University of Scranton 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 Christopher Newport University than University of Scranton ($23,148 vs. $34,234).
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Christopher Newport University are 28.3% lower than at University of Scranton ($12,460 vs. $17,380).
  • University of Scranton is 220.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than CNU (about $37,155 more per year; $53,983.00 vs. $16,828.00).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 73.1% higher at University of Scranton than at Christopher Newport University (about $22,805 more per year; $53,983.00 vs. $31,178.00).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Scranton than at Christopher Newport University (96% vs. 64%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by University of Scranton students is 239.3% larger than aid received by Christopher Newport University students ($35,606 vs. $10,494).

University of Scranton vs. CNU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, University of Scranton 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 University of Scranton.

  • The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Scranton (1240) is 60 points higher than at CNU (1180).
  • Incoming University of Scranton students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 27) as students at CNU (27).
  • Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Scranton 1160/1318; Christopher Newport University 1060/1290.
  • Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Scranton 25/30; Christopher Newport University 25/30.
  • Submitting SAT or ACT scores: University of Scranton - Test optional; CNU - Test optional.
  • Typical fall application deadline: University of Scranton Mar 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 University of Scranton (3.56).
  • CNU has a higher acceptance rate (86%) than University of Scranton (81.2%).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 11.3% at University of Scranton vs. 18% at CNU.

University of Scranton vs. CNU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for University of Scranton 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 Scranton's six-year graduation rate (77%) is higher than Christopher Newport University's (63%).
  • Graduates from University of Scranton earn a median of about $15,000 more per year than CNU graduates about ten years after starting college ($62,100 vs. $47,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Christopher Newport University graduates have a $2,000 lower median loan debt than University of Scranton graduates ($25,000 vs. $27,000).
  • Among borrowers, CNU graduates have an estimated $21 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than University of Scranton graduates ($258 vs. $279).
  • More University of Scranton graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former CNU students, three years after graduation. (81% 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.