Wagner College vs. CNU

Deciding between Wagner College 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.

Wagner College
Christopher Newport University

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

  • Overview

  • Location
  • Wagner College Staten Island, NY
  • CNU Newport News, VA
  • Setting
  • Wagner College Large City
  • CNU Midsize City
  • Total enrollment
  • Wagner College 2,001
  • CNU 4,454
  • Type
  • Wagner College Private 4 Year
  • CNU Public 4 Year
  • National Ranking
  • Wagner College #278
  • CNU #378
  • Religious Affiliation
  • Wagner College Lutheran Church in America
  • CNU -
  • Status
  • Wagner College Non-profit
  • CNU Non-profit
  • Team Colors
  • Wagner College
  • CNU
  • Cost

  • Tuition (In State)
  • Wagner College $53,200
  • CNU $16,828
  • Tuition (Out of State)
  • Wagner College $53,200
  • CNU $31,178
  • Room & Board
  • Wagner College $16,485
  • CNU $12,460
  • Average Net Price
  • Wagner College $28,033
  • CNU $23,148
  • Average Grant Aid
  • Wagner College $37,897
  • CNU $10,494
  • % Receiving Grant Aid
  • Wagner College 100%
  • CNU 64%
  • Admissions

  • Applied
  • Wagner College 2,566
  • CNU 7,341
  • Admitted
  • Wagner College 2,258
  • CNU 6,316
  • Acceptance Rate
  • Wagner College 88%
  • CNU 86%
  • Enrolled
  • Wagner College 20.1%
  • CNU 18%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Wagner College 1240
  • CNU 1180
  • Typical ACT score
  • Wagner College 25
  • CNU 27
  • Average High School GPA
  • Wagner College 3.5
  • CNU 3.79
  • Typical High School Grades
  • Wagner College A-
  • CNU A-
  • Admissions Standards
  • Wagner College Challenging
  • CNU Challenging
  • Applicant Competition
  • Wagner College
  • CNU
  • ACT Range
  • Wagner College 23/28
  • CNU 25/30
  • SAT Range
  • Wagner College 1190/1290
  • CNU 1060/1290
  • Submit Test Scores
  • Wagner College Test optional
  • CNU Test optional
  • Application Deadline
  • Wagner College Feb 15, 2027
  • CNU Feb 1, 2027
  • Academics

  • Student to Faculty Ratio
  • Wagner College 11:1
  • CNU 13:1
  • Popular Majors
  • Wagner College
    • Business (22%)
    • Health Professions (19%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (15%)
    • Social Sciences (11%)
    • Psychology (6%)
  • CNU
    • Social Sciences (15%)
    • Communication (13%)
    • Biology (12%)
    • Business (11%)
    • Psychology (11%)
  • Outcomes

  • Graduation Rate
  • Wagner College 67%
  • CNU 63%
  • Median Earnings (After 10 years)
  • Wagner College $64,100
  • CNU $47,100
  • Making Student Loan Payments
  • Wagner College 80%
  • CNU 78%
  • Median Student Loan Debt
  • Wagner College $26,379
  • CNU $25,000
  • Median Loan Payment
  • Wagner College $272
  • CNU $258
  • Diversity

  • % Men
  • Wagner College 37%
  • CNU 47%
  • % Women
  • Wagner College 63%
  • CNU 53%
  • Racial Diversity
  • Wagner College Medium
  • CNU Low
  • HBCU
  • Wagner College No
  • CNU No
  • % White
  • Wagner College 66%
  • CNU 74%
  • % Asian
  • Wagner College 3%
  • CNU 3%
  • % Black
  • Wagner College 7%
  • CNU 8%
  • % Hispanic
  • Wagner College 11%
  • CNU 5%
  • % Native American
  • Wagner College 0%
  • CNU 0%
  • % Pacific Islander
  • Wagner College 0%
  • CNU 0%
  • % Two or More Races
  • Wagner College 2%
  • CNU 5%
  • % International
  • Wagner College 3%
  • CNU 0%
  • % Unknown Race
  • Wagner College 7%
  • CNU 5%
  • Students

  • % In-State
  • Wagner College 52%
  • CNU 92%
  • % Out-of-State
  • Wagner College 41%
  • CNU 5%
  • Campus

  • Campus Housing
  • Wagner College Yes
  • CNU Yes
  • Freshman Dorm Required
  • Wagner College No
  • CNU No
  • Meal Plan
  • Wagner College Yes
  • CNU Yes
  • Weekend/Evening Classes
  • Wagner College Yes
  • CNU No
  • Daycare Facility
  • Wagner College No
  • CNU No

Comparable Facts

Compare Wagner College in Staten Island, NY 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 Wagner College based on total student enrollment (4,454 students vs. 2,001 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Wagner College is located in Staten Island, NY (Large City setting); Christopher Newport University is in Newport News, VA (Midsize City setting).
  • Wagner College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Christopher Newport University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Wagner College 11:1; Christopher Newport University 13:1.

Wagner College vs. CNU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Wagner College 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 Wagner College ($23,148 vs. $28,033).
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Christopher Newport University are 24.4% lower than at Wagner College ($12,460 vs. $16,485).
  • Wagner College is 216.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than CNU (about $36,372 more per year; $53,200.00 vs. $16,828.00).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 70.6% higher at Wagner College than at Christopher Newport University (about $22,022 more per year; $53,200.00 vs. $31,178.00).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Wagner College than at Christopher Newport University (100% vs. 64%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Wagner College students is 261.1% larger than aid received by Christopher Newport University students ($37,897 vs. $10,494).

Wagner College vs. CNU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Wagner College 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 Wagner College.

  • The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Wagner College (1240) is 60 points higher than at CNU (1180).
  • Incoming CNU students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (27 vs. 25 at Wagner College).
  • Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Wagner College 1190/1290; Christopher Newport University 1060/1290.
  • Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Wagner College 23/28; Christopher Newport University 25/30.
  • Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Wagner College - Test optional; CNU - Test optional.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Wagner College Feb 15, 2027; CNU Feb 1, 2027.
  • Accepted freshman CNU students have a 0.29 point higher average high school GPA (3.79) than students at Wagner College (3.5).
  • Wagner College has a higher acceptance rate (88%) than CNU (86%).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 20.1% at Wagner College vs. 18% at CNU.

Wagner College vs. CNU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Wagner College 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).

  • Wagner College's six-year graduation rate (67%) is higher than Christopher Newport University's (63%).
  • Graduates from Wagner College earn a median of about $17,000 more per year than CNU graduates about ten years after starting college ($64,100 vs. $47,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Christopher Newport University graduates have a $1,379 lower median loan debt than Wagner College graduates ($25,000 vs. $26,379).
  • Among borrowers, CNU graduates have an estimated $14 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Wagner College graduates ($258 vs. $272).
  • More Wagner College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former CNU students, three years after graduation. (80% 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.