Christopher Newport University

7/10 Overall Rating
4 Year
Newport News, VA
3.2 4 reviews

#8 Best Public Universities in Virginia

Overview Admission Cost Majors Diversity Outcomes Salaries Location Compare Reviews Admission Calculator

Overview

Total enrollment

4,454

Location Newport News, Virginia
Website cnu.edu
Type Public 4 Year
Setting Midsize City

Best Colleges Rank

#378

Size Mid-size
Status Non-profit
Housing Yes
Level of Study Undergrad/Graduate

Christopher Newport University occupies a suburban campus in Newport News, Virginia, positioned on the Peninsula region between the James and York Rivers and within an hour's drive of Virginia Beach and Colonial Williamsburg. The campus features Georgian architecture throughout its academic buildings and residential facilities, reflecting a cohesive design aesthetic established during its transformation from a two-year branch of the College of William & Mary in 1960 to its current status as a public liberal arts institution. CNU requires all students to live on campus for their first three years, housing them in residential colleges and suite-style accommodations. The university maintains a strong focus on liberal arts and sciences, with notable programs in business, leadership studies, and science disciplines, while also operating a distinguished President's Leadership Program. As an NCAA Division III institution, CNU competes as the Captains in the Coast-To-Coast Athletic Conference, with particularly competitive programs in basketball and softball.

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Ratings

CNU is rated within the top 40% of four-year colleges nationally and earns a CollegeSimply grade of 7 out of 10.

Overall Rating

7 out of 10
Academics

7 out of 10
Resources

7 out of 10
Outcomes

6 out of 10
Value

4 out of 10

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Rankings

Rankings for Christopher Newport University within the 2027 CollegeSimply Best Colleges Lists.

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Admissions

Admission Standards

Challenging

SAT (enrolled mid-50) 1060/1290
ACT (enrolled mid-50) 25/30
GPA 3.79

Acceptance Rate

86%

Applications Due Feb 1, 2027
Enrollment Rate 18%
Application Fee $65

Applicant Competition Very Low

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Annual Cost to Attend

Virginia Resident Tuition

$16,828

Out of State Resident Tuition

$31,178

Breakdown

Tuition $16,828
Books and Supplies $1,564
Other Fees $6,540
Room and Board $12,460
Budget for Other Expenses $4,420
Total One Year Cost $41,812

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Student Outcomes

Average Salary After 10 Years

$47,100 per year

Bachelor's Degree Graduation Rate

63% within 6 years

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Popular Areas of Study

Popular majors at Christopher Newport University are Social Sciences, Communication, and Biology. 15% of students major in Social Sciences, 13% in Communication, and 12% in Biology.