Worcester State University vs. CNU

Deciding between Worcester State University 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.

Worcester State University
Christopher Newport University

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

  • Overview

  • Location
  • Worcester State University Worcester, MA
  • CNU Newport News, VA
  • Setting
  • Worcester State University Midsize City
  • CNU Midsize City
  • Total enrollment
  • Worcester State University 5,745
  • CNU 4,454
  • Type
  • Worcester State University Public 4 Year
  • CNU Public 4 Year
  • National Ranking
  • Worcester State University #558
  • CNU #378
  • Religious Affiliation
  • Worcester State University -
  • CNU -
  • Status
  • Worcester State University Non-profit
  • CNU Non-profit
  • Team Colors
  • Worcester State University
  • CNU
  • Cost

  • Tuition (In State)
  • Worcester State University $11,786
  • CNU $16,828
  • Tuition (Out of State)
  • Worcester State University $17,866
  • CNU $31,178
  • Room & Board
  • Worcester State University $14,307
  • CNU $12,460
  • Average Net Price
  • Worcester State University $12,778
  • CNU $23,148
  • Average Grant Aid
  • Worcester State University $9,464
  • CNU $10,494
  • % Receiving Grant Aid
  • Worcester State University 80%
  • CNU 64%
  • Admissions

  • Applied
  • Worcester State University 5,156
  • CNU 7,341
  • Admitted
  • Worcester State University 4,537
  • CNU 6,316
  • Acceptance Rate
  • Worcester State University 88%
  • CNU 86%
  • Enrolled
  • Worcester State University 16.7%
  • CNU 18%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Worcester State University 1150
  • CNU 1180
  • Typical ACT score
  • Worcester State University
  • CNU 27
  • Average High School GPA
  • Worcester State University 3.3
  • CNU 3.79
  • Typical High School Grades
  • Worcester State University B+
  • CNU A-
  • Admissions Standards
  • Worcester State University Average
  • CNU Challenging
  • Applicant Competition
  • Worcester State University
  • CNU
  • ACT Range
  • Worcester State University
  • CNU 25/30
  • SAT Range
  • Worcester State University 1026/1283
  • CNU 1060/1290
  • Submit Test Scores
  • Worcester State University Test optional
  • CNU Test optional
  • Application Deadline
  • Worcester State University Jun 1, 2027
  • CNU Feb 1, 2027
  • Academics

  • Student to Faculty Ratio
  • Worcester State University 16:1
  • CNU 13:1
  • Popular Majors
  • Worcester State University
    • Business (21%)
    • Psychology (15%)
    • Health Professions (14%)
    • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (7%)
    • Biology (6%)
  • CNU
    • Social Sciences (15%)
    • Communication (13%)
    • Biology (12%)
    • Business (11%)
    • Psychology (11%)
  • Outcomes

  • Graduation Rate
  • Worcester State University 47%
  • CNU 63%
  • Median Earnings (After 10 years)
  • Worcester State University $49,200
  • CNU $47,100
  • Making Student Loan Payments
  • Worcester State University 66%
  • CNU 78%
  • Median Student Loan Debt
  • Worcester State University $20,000
  • CNU $25,000
  • Median Loan Payment
  • Worcester State University $206
  • CNU $258
  • Diversity

  • % Men
  • Worcester State University 38%
  • CNU 47%
  • % Women
  • Worcester State University 62%
  • CNU 53%
  • Racial Diversity
  • Worcester State University Low
  • CNU Low
  • HBCU
  • Worcester State University No
  • CNU No
  • % White
  • Worcester State University 71%
  • CNU 74%
  • % Asian
  • Worcester State University 4%
  • CNU 3%
  • % Black
  • Worcester State University 8%
  • CNU 8%
  • % Hispanic
  • Worcester State University 9%
  • CNU 5%
  • % Native American
  • Worcester State University 0%
  • CNU 0%
  • % Pacific Islander
  • Worcester State University 0%
  • CNU 0%
  • % Two or More Races
  • Worcester State University 3%
  • CNU 5%
  • % International
  • Worcester State University 1%
  • CNU 0%
  • % Unknown Race
  • Worcester State University 4%
  • CNU 5%
  • Students

  • % In-State
  • Worcester State University 93%
  • CNU 92%
  • % Out-of-State
  • Worcester State University 6%
  • CNU 5%
  • Campus

  • Campus Housing
  • Worcester State University Yes
  • CNU Yes
  • Freshman Dorm Required
  • Worcester State University No
  • CNU No
  • Meal Plan
  • Worcester State University Yes
  • CNU Yes
  • Weekend/Evening Classes
  • Worcester State University Yes
  • CNU No
  • Daycare Facility
  • Worcester State University No
  • CNU No

Comparable Facts

Compare Worcester State University in Worcester, MA with Christopher Newport University in Newport News, VA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Worcester State University is larger than CNU based on total student enrollment (5,745 students vs. 4,454 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Worcester State University is located in Worcester, MA (Midsize City setting); Christopher Newport University is in Newport News, VA (Midsize City setting).
  • Worcester State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Christopher Newport University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Worcester State University 16:1; Christopher Newport University 13:1.

Worcester State University vs. CNU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Worcester State University 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 Worcester State University than CNU ($12,778 vs. $23,148).
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Christopher Newport University are 12.9% lower than at Worcester State University ($12,460 vs. $14,307).
  • Christopher Newport University is 42.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than Worcester State University (about $5,042 more per year; $16,828.00 vs. $11,786.00).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 74.5% higher at CNU than at Worcester State University (about $13,312 more per year; $31,178.00 vs. $17,866.00).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Worcester State University than at Christopher Newport University (80% vs. 64%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Christopher Newport University students is 10.9% larger than aid received by Worcester State University students ($10,494 vs. $9,464).

Worcester State University vs. CNU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Worcester State University 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 Worcester State University.

  • The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Christopher Newport University (1180) is 30 points higher than at Worcester State University (1150).
  • Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Worcester State University 1026/1283; Christopher Newport University 1060/1290.
  • Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsChristopher Newport University 25/30.
  • Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Worcester State University - Test optional; CNU - Test optional.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Worcester State University Jun 1, 2027; CNU Feb 1, 2027.
  • Accepted freshman CNU students have a 0.49 point higher average high school GPA (3.79) than students at Worcester State University (3.3).
  • Worcester State University has a higher acceptance rate (88%) than CNU (86%).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 16.7% at Worcester State University vs. 18% at CNU.

Worcester State University vs. CNU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Worcester State University 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 Worcester State University's (47%).
  • Graduates from Worcester State University earn a median of about $2,100 more per year than CNU graduates about ten years after starting college ($49,200 vs. $47,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Worcester State University graduates have a $5,000 lower median loan debt than CNU graduates ($20,000 vs. $25,000).
  • Among borrowers, Worcester State University graduates have an estimated $52 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than CNU graduates ($206 vs. $258).
  • More CNU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Worcester State University students, three years after graduation. (78% vs. 66%)

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.