Western State Colorado University vs. CNU

Should I go to Western State Colorado University or Christopher Newport University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Western State Colorado University 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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Western State Colorado University vs. Christopher Newport University comparison
Western State Colorado University Christopher Newport University College 3 College 4
Western State Colorado University Christopher Newport University
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Overview

Western State Colorado University CNU
Location Gunnison, CO Newport News, VA
Setting Remote Town Midsize City
Enrollment 3,548 4,559
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #709 #390
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website western.edu cnu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Western State Colorado University CNU
Tuition (In State) $6,936 $9,375
Tuition (Out of State) $18,960 $22,613
Room & Board $10,286 $11,990
Avg Net Price $16,672 $23,287
Avg Grant Aid $9,189 $8,022
% Receiving Grant Aid 91% 66%

Admission

Western State Colorado University CNU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 3,116 7,428
Admitted 2,862 6,340
Acceptance Rate 91.8% 85.4%
Enrolled % 15.3% 18.3%
Avg High School GPA 3.42 3.79
Typical High School Grades B+ A-
Admissions Standards Challenging Challenging
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 21/29 22/29
SAT Range 1010/1270 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

Western State Colorado University CNU
Student to Faculty Ratio 16:1 13:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (28%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (17%)
  • Social Sciences (13%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (7%)
  • Biology (7%)
  • Social Sciences (15%)
  • Communication (13%)
  • Biology (12%)
  • Business (11%)
  • Psychology (11%)

Outcomes

Western State Colorado University CNU
Graduation Rate 39% 63%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $40,800 $47,100
Making Student Loan Payments 61% 78%
Median Student Loan Debt $21,500 $25,000
Median Loan Payment $222 $258

Diversity

Western State Colorado University CNU
% Men 49% 46%
% Women 51% 54%
Racial Diversity Low Low
HBCU No No
% White 75% 74%
% Black 3% 8%
% Hispanic 10% 5%
% Native American 1% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 4% 5%
% International 0% 0%
% Unknown Race 6% 5%

Students

Western State Colorado University CNU
% In-State 72% 91%
% Out-of-State 27% 6%

Campus

Western State Colorado University 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 Western State Colorado University based on total student enrollment (4,559 students vs. 3,548 students)

Western State Colorado University vs. CNU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Western State Colorado University or CNU?

  • Christopher Newport University is 35.2% more expensive to attend than Western State Colorado University for in-state tuition ($9,375.00 vs. $6,936.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 19.3% higher at CNU than Western State Colorado University ($22,613.00 vs. $18,960.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Western State Colorado University than CNU ($16,672 vs. $23,287)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Western State Colorado University are 16.6% lower than costs at Christopher Newport University ($10,286 vs. $11,990)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Western State Colorado University than Christopher Newport University (91% vs. 66%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Western State Colorado University students is 14.5% larger than aid received Christopher Newport University ($9,189 vs. $8,022)

Western State Colorado University vs. CNU Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Christopher Newport University (1155) is 191 points higher than at Western State Colorado University (964)
  • Incoming CNU students have a 5 point higher average ACT score (25) than students at Western State Colorado University (20)
  • Accepted freshman CNU students have a 0.37 point higher average high school GPA (3.79) than students at Western State Colorado University (3.42)
  • Western State Colorado University has a higher acceptance rate (91.8%) than CNU (85.4%)

Western State Colorado University vs. CNU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Western State Colorado University 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 Western State Colorado University.

  • The graduation rate at CNU is higher than Western State Colorado University (63% vs. 39%)
  • Graduates from Christopher Newport University earn on average $6,300 more per year than Western State Colorado University graduates after ten years. ($47,100 vs. $40,800)
  • Western State Colorado University students graduate with a $3,500 lower median federal student loan debt than CNU graduates. ($21,500 vs. $25,000)
  • Western State Colorado University graduates are paying $36 less per month on federal student loans than CNU graduates. ($222 vs. $258)
  • More CNU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Western State Colorado University students, three years after graduation. (78% vs. 61%)

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