WestConn vs. CNU

Should I go to Western Connecticut State University or Christopher Newport University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if WestConn 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.

Add a college to compare up to four schools

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

JMU Mason Old Dominion Mary Washington College Virginia Tech VCU William & Mary ECSU Longwood University UVA SCSU Elon
Western Connecticut State University vs. Christopher Newport University comparison
Western Connecticut State University Christopher Newport University College 3 College 4
Western Connecticut State University Christopher Newport University
Remove Remove +Add +Add

Overview

WestConn CNU
Location Danbury, CT Newport News, VA
Setting Small City Midsize City
Enrollment 4,417 4,559
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #466 #390
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website wcsu.edu cnu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

WestConn CNU
Tuition (In State) $6,464 $9,375
Tuition (Out of State) $19,358 $22,613
Room & Board $14,568 $11,990
Avg Net Price $15,862 $23,287
Avg Grant Aid $9,057 $8,022
% Receiving Grant Aid 72% 66%

Admission

WestConn CNU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 5,093 7,428
Admitted 4,253 6,340
Acceptance Rate 83.5% 85.4%
Enrolled % 14.8% 18.3%
Avg High School GPA 3.38 3.79
Typical High School Grades B+ A-
Admissions Standards Average Challenging
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 19/29 22/29
SAT Range 1010/1230 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

WestConn CNU
Student to Faculty Ratio 11:1 13:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (27%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (12%)
  • Communication (8%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (8%)
  • Education (8%)
  • Social Sciences (15%)
  • Communication (13%)
  • Biology (12%)
  • Business (11%)
  • Psychology (11%)

Outcomes

WestConn CNU
Graduation Rate 40% 63%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $47,400 $47,100
Making Student Loan Payments 65% 78%
Median Student Loan Debt $25,000 $25,000
Median Loan Payment $258 $258

Diversity

WestConn CNU
% Men 45% 46%
% Women 55% 54%
Racial Diversity Medium Low
HBCU No No
% White 61% 74%
% Black 12% 8%
% Hispanic 18% 5%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 1% 5%
% International 0% 0%
% Unknown Race 3% 5%

Students

WestConn CNU
% In-State 70% 91%
% Out-of-State 30% 6%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Christopher Newport University is larger than than WestConn based on total student enrollment (4,559 students vs. 4,417 students)

WestConn vs. CNU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, WestConn or CNU?

  • Christopher Newport University is 45% more expensive to attend than WestConn for in-state tuition ($9,375.00 vs. $6,464.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 16.8% higher at CNU than Western Connecticut State University ($22,613.00 vs. $19,358.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Western Connecticut State University than CNU ($15,862 vs. $23,287)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Christopher Newport University are 21.5% lower than costs at Western Connecticut State University ($11,990 vs. $14,568)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Western Connecticut State University than Christopher Newport University (72% vs. 66%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Western Connecticut State University students is 12.9% larger than aid received Christopher Newport University ($9,057 vs. $8,022)

WestConn vs. CNU Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • Accepted freshman CNU students have a 0.41 point higher average high school GPA (3.79) than students at WestConn (3.38)
  • CNU has a higher acceptance rate (85.4%) than WestConn (83.5%)

WestConn vs. CNU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, WestConn 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 WestConn.

  • The graduation rate at CNU is higher than Western Connecticut State University (63% vs. 40%)
  • Graduates from Western Connecticut State University earn on average $300 more per year than CNU graduates after ten years. ($47,400 vs. $47,100)
  • Christopher Newport University and WestConn graduates both have the same median student loan debt upon graduation ($25,000 vs. $25,000)
  • Christopher Newport University and WestConn graduates both have a median monthly student loan payment upon graduation ($258 vs. $258)
  • More CNU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former WestConn students, three years after graduation. (78% vs. 65%)

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