USD vs. CNU

Comparable Facts

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

University of South Dakota is larger than CNU based on total student enrollment (10,619 students vs. 4,454 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of South Dakota is located in Vermillion, SD (Distant Town setting); Christopher Newport University is in Newport News, VA (Midsize City setting).
• University of South Dakota 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 South Dakota 16:1; Christopher Newport University 13:1.

USD vs. CNU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, USD 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 South Dakota than CNU ($19,133 vs. $23,148).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of South Dakota are 16.9% lower than at Christopher Newport University ($10,356 vs. $12,460).
• Christopher Newport University is 78.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than USD (about $7,396 more per year; $16,828.00 vs. $9,432.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 140.9% higher at CNU than at University of South Dakota (about $18,236 more per year; $31,178.00 vs. $12,942.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of South Dakota than at Christopher Newport University (83% vs. 64%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Christopher Newport University students is 86.6% larger than aid received by University of South Dakota students ($10,494 vs. $5,623).

USD vs. CNU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, USD 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 USD.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of South Dakota (1220) is 40 points higher than at CNU (1180).
• Incoming CNU students have a 5 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (27 vs. 22 at USD).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of South Dakota 1125/1315; Christopher Newport University 1060/1290.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of South Dakota 19/25; Christopher Newport University 25/30.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: USD - Test optional; CNU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: CNU Feb 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman CNU students have a 0.36 point higher average high school GPA (3.79) than students at USD (3.43).
• USD has a higher acceptance rate (98.8%) than CNU (86%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 24.1% at USD vs. 18% at CNU.

USD vs. CNU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for USD 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 South Dakota's (47%).
• Graduates from University of South Dakota earn a median of about $1,100 more per year than CNU graduates about ten years after starting college ($48,200 vs. $47,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Christopher Newport University and USD graduates have the same median loan debt ($25,000 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers in the federal data, Christopher Newport University and USD graduates have the same median monthly federal student loan payment ($258 vs. $258).
• More CNU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former USD students, three years after graduation. (78% vs. 70%)

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.