WCU vs. CNU

Should I go to West Chester University of Pennsylvania or Christopher Newport University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if WCU or CNU is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.

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West Chester University of Pennsylvania vs. Christopher Newport University comparison
West Chester University of Pennsylvania Christopher Newport University College 3 College 4
West Chester University of Pennsylvania Christopher Newport University
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Overview

WCU CNU
Location West Chester, PA Newport News, VA
Setting Large Suburban Midsize City
Enrollment 17,275 4,559
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #496 #390
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website wcupa.edu cnu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

WCU CNU
Tuition (In State) $7,716 $9,375
Tuition (Out of State) $19,290 $22,613
Room & Board $14,228 $11,990
Avg Net Price $22,973 $23,287
Avg Grant Aid $5,443 $8,022
% Receiving Grant Aid 64% 66%

Admission

WCU CNU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 14,778 7,428
Admitted 12,982 6,340
Acceptance Rate 87.8% 85.4%
Enrolled % 23.2% 18.3%
Avg High School GPA 3.43 3.79
Typical High School Grades B+ A-
Admissions Standards Challenging Challenging
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 23/30 22/29
SAT Range 1080/1260 1100/1290
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Feb 1, 2025

Academics

WCU CNU
Student to Faculty Ratio 20:1 13:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (16%)
  • Education (16%)
  • Health Professions (14%)
  • English and Literature (9%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (9%)
  • Social Sciences (15%)
  • Communication (13%)
  • Biology (12%)
  • Business (11%)
  • Psychology (11%)

Outcomes

WCU CNU
Graduation Rate 68% 63%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $49,000 $47,100
Making Student Loan Payments 75% 78%
Median Student Loan Debt $23,500 $25,000
Median Loan Payment $242 $258

Diversity

WCU CNU
% Men 39% 46%
% Women 61% 54%
Racial Diversity Low Low
HBCU No No
% White 78% 74%
% Black 11% 8%
% Hispanic 5% 5%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 3% 5%
% International 0% 0%
% Unknown Race 0% 5%

Students

WCU CNU
% In-State 87% 91%
% Out-of-State 12% 6%

Campus

WCU CNU
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes No No
Daycare Facility No No
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • West Chester University of Pennsylvania is larger than than CNU based on total student enrollment (17,275 students vs. 4,559 students)

WCU vs. CNU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, WCU or CNU?

  • Christopher Newport University is 21.5% more expensive to attend than WCU for in-state tuition ($9,375.00 vs. $7,716.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 17.2% higher at CNU than West Chester University of Pennsylvania ($22,613.00 vs. $19,290.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at West Chester University of Pennsylvania than CNU ($22,973 vs. $23,287)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Christopher Newport University are 18.7% lower than costs at West Chester University of Pennsylvania ($11,990 vs. $14,228)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Christopher Newport University than West Chester University of Pennsylvania (66% vs. 64%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Christopher Newport University students is 47.4% larger than aid received West Chester University of Pennsylvania ($8,022 vs. $5,443)

WCU vs. CNU Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, WCU or CNU? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between CNU or WCU .

  • The average SAT score at Christopher Newport University (1155) is 83 points higher than at WCU (1072)
  • Incoming CNU students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (25) than students at WCU (24)
  • Accepted freshman CNU students have a 0.36 point higher average high school GPA (3.79) than students at WCU (3.43)
  • WCU has a higher acceptance rate (87.8%) than CNU (85.4%)

WCU vs. CNU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, WCU or CNU? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between CNU and WCU.

  • The graduation rate at WCU is higher than Christopher Newport University (68% vs. 63%)
  • Graduates from West Chester University of Pennsylvania earn on average $1,900 more per year than CNU graduates after ten years. ($49,000 vs. $47,100)
  • West Chester University of Pennsylvania students graduate with a $1,500 lower median federal student loan debt than CNU graduates. ($23,500 vs. $25,000)
  • WCU graduates are paying $16 less per month on federal student loans than CNU graduates. ($242 vs. $258)
  • More CNU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former WCU students, three years after graduation. (78% vs. 75%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/