CNU Admission Requirements
- 7/10 Overall Rating
- 4 Year
- Newport News, VA
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CNU Admission Overview
CNU admission requirements are summarized from last year's class. Last year CNU admitted 86% of applicants. Enrolled freshmen typically had about a 3.79 GPA (A-) and SAT 1060-1290 / ACT 25-30. CNU is test-optional, so you choose whether to send SAT or ACT. Those figures describe last year's class, not a score you must hit.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
CNU is test-optional. You choose whether to send SAT or ACT.
CNU Acceptance Rate
Admission Rate & Difficulty
Acceptance rate Share of applicants offered admission last year.
Admission Standards Measure of enrolled testers' SAT/ACT scores vs. other colleges.
Applicant Competition Measure of this school's acceptance rate vs. other colleges. A low acceptance rate indicates high competition.
Very Low
Admission difficulty for Christopher Newport University
Acceptance Rate
The CNU acceptance rate is 86%. Last year, 6,316 of 7,341 applicants were admitted. That is the 24th lowest acceptance rate in Virginia.
Admission Selectivity
How hard is it to get into CNU and can you get accepted?
CNU is an easy school to get into, admitting most applicants. You have a very good chance of acceptance if you meet last year's profile.
Christopher Newport University typically attracts "A-" average high school students with an average GPA around 3.79. Most incoming freshmen graduate in the top half of their high school class. 18% of those admitted chose to enroll.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
CNU GPA
GPA of enrolled freshmen
Avg. High School GPA The average high school GPA for incoming freshmen on a 4.0 scale.
3.79Typical High School Grades Letter grade on a 4.0 scale for last year's average, not a cutoff.
A-Average GPA (4.0 Scale) 3.79
Average GPA
Enrolled freshmen at CNU typically have around a 3.79 GPA (A-) on a 4.0 scale. That is last year's class average, not a cutoff. Enrolled students typically have exceptionally good grades. CNU is test-optional. If you withhold SAT or ACT, GPA carries more weight.
34% of enrolled freshmen had a 4.0. The school ranks #6 in Virginia for highest average GPA.
See additional colleges accepting applicants in the 3.8 GPA range.
Competitiveness by GPA Ranges
Share of last year's freshmen in each GPA range, compared with the rest of the class.
GPA Data Source, Peterson's Data 2024
CNU SAT Scores
SAT scores of enrolled freshmen
SAT Range The middle 50% of enrolled testers who sent SAT. The maximum score is 1600.
1060-1290Freshmen who sent SAT Share of enrolled freshmen who submitted SAT scores. This is enrolled testers, not all applicants.
38%25th Percentile Scores
- Reading 550
- Math 510
- Composite 1060
75th Percentile Scores
- Reading 660
- Math 630
- Composite 1290
Average SAT
Enrolled testers at CNU typically score around a 1180 SAT (middle 50% 1060–1290) out of 1600. That is last year's class, not a cutoff. The average SAT of enrolled testers is about the 73rd percentile nationally. CNU ranks #17 in the state of Virginia for highest average SAT composite score.
SAT Range (25th-75th Percentile) 1060 to 1290
SAT policy
CNU is test-optional. You choose whether to send SAT. If you send a score, it is considered.
View other colleges which accept students in the 1180 SAT score range.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
How SAT scores compare with last year's enrolled testers
This table compares SAT ranges with last year's enrolled testers and the school's acceptance rate. It is not a personal chance of admission. If you withhold SAT, skip this table.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
CNU ACT Scores
ACT scores among enrolled freshmen
ACT Range Mid-50 ACT composite among enrolled testers who sent ACT. The scale tops out at 36.
25-30Freshmen reporting ACT Percent of enrolled freshmen who reported ACT. Counts enrolled testers, not the full applicant pool.
3%25th Percentile Scores
- English N/A
- Math N/A
- Composite 25
75th Percentile Scores
- English N/A
- Math N/A
- Composite 30
Average ACT
Incoming testers at CNU typically have around a 27 ACT (mid-50 25–30) on the 36 scale. That reflects last year's enrolled testers, not a cutoff. That average sits near the 85th percentile of ACT takers nationwide. CNU places #10 among colleges in Virginia for highest average ACT composite.
ACT Range (25th-75th Percentile) 25 to 30
ACT policy
You may apply to CNU without ACT. A score you do send is still reviewed.
See colleges with similar ACT profiles in the 27.0 ACT score range.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
How ACT scores compare with last year's enrolled testers
This table compares ACT ranges with last year's enrolled testers and the school's acceptance rate. They are not your individual odds. If you leave ACT off your application, you can skip this table.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
High School Class Rank
Class Rank of Admitted Students
77% of Christopher Newport University freshman are in the top half of their high school graduating class and 44% are in the top quarter.
Data Source, Peterson's Data
Estimate How You Compare
See how your GPA and scores compare with last year's enrolled testers. You can mark that you will withhold scores.
Open the CNU chances calculatorApplying
Admission Statistics
Admission and enrollment rates by gender are detailed in the table below.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
Application Requirements
What are the requirements for admission to Christopher Newport University and what student information is used for admission decisions?
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
Fall 2027 Application Deadline
Applications Due
Feb 1, 2027Days left to Apply
154Applicants have 154 days left until the Fall 2027 term applications are due on Feb 1, 2027.
Application Fee
The cost for prospective students to apply to Christopher Newport University is $65.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
Credits Accepted
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
Admission summary
CNU is test-optional for 2024-25. Last year it admitted 86% of applicants. Enrolled freshmen typically had about a 3.79 GPA (about an A- average). Send SAT/ACT if you are at or above this campus mid-50 (1060-1290); otherwise withhold. Mid-50 scores, where shown, are enrolled testers, not cutoffs.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
Other Colleges to Apply To
Students applying to Christopher Newport University often consider these colleges
Data source: NCES / IPEDS https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=231712.
GPA calculator: Christopher Newport University GPA calculator.
Last updated: August 2026