CNU vs. Roanoke College

Christopher Newport University and Roanoke College side by side on admissions, cost, and outcomes, from public data.

Christopher Newport University
Roanoke College

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Roanoke College (83.1% admitted vs 86%). Typical SAT 1200 vs 1180.
  • Cheaper after aid: CNU. Average net price is $23,148 vs $26,044 at Roanoke College.
  • Graduation: CNU 63% vs Roanoke College 69%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: CNU $47,100 vs Roanoke College $51,200 (median).
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Key differences

Christopher Newport University Roanoke College
Acceptance rate
Roanoke College more selective
CNU86%
Roanoke College83.1%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Roanoke College higher
CNU1060-1290
Roanoke College1090-1300
Average net price
CNU $2,896 less
CNU$23,148
Roanoke College$26,044
In-state tuition
CNU $21,240 less
CNU$16,828
Roanoke College$38,068
Out-of-state tuition
CNU $6,890 less
CNU$31,178
Roanoke College$38,068
Graduation rate
Roanoke College +6 pts
CNU63%
Roanoke College69%
Median earnings (10 years)
Roanoke College +$4,100
CNU$47,100
Roanoke College$51,200

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • CNU 7,341
  • Roanoke College 5,785
  • Admitted
  • CNU 6,316
  • Roanoke College 4,805
  • Acceptance rate
  • CNU 86%
  • Roanoke College 83.1%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • CNU 18%
  • Roanoke College 9.7%
  • Typical SAT score
  • CNU 1180
  • Roanoke College 1200
  • Typical ACT score
  • CNU 27
  • Roanoke College 27
  • Average high school GPA
  • CNU 3.79
  • Roanoke College 3.56
  • Typical high school grades
  • CNU A-
  • Roanoke College A-
  • Admissions standards
  • CNU Challenging
  • Roanoke College Difficult
  • Applicant competition
  • CNU
  • Roanoke College
  • SAT range
  • CNU 1060-1290
  • Roanoke College 1090-1300
  • ACT range
  • CNU 25-30
  • Roanoke College 24-31
  • Submit test scores
  • CNU Test optional
  • Roanoke College Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • CNU Feb 1, 2027
  • Roanoke College
  • Tuition (in state)
  • CNU $16,828
  • Roanoke College $38,068
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • CNU $31,178
  • Roanoke College $38,068
  • Room & board
  • CNU $12,460
  • Roanoke College $15,366
  • Average net price
  • CNU $23,148
  • Roanoke College $26,044
  • Average grant aid
  • CNU $10,494
  • Roanoke College $28,188
  • % receiving grant aid
  • CNU 64%
  • Roanoke College 100%
  • Graduation rate
  • CNU 63%
  • Roanoke College 69%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • CNU $47,100
  • Roanoke College $51,200
  • Making student loan payments
  • CNU 78%
  • Roanoke College 75%
  • Median student loan debt
  • CNU $25,000
  • Roanoke College $27,000
  • Median loan payment
  • CNU $258
  • Roanoke College $279
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • CNU 13:1
  • Roanoke College 11:1
  • Popular majors
  • CNU
    • Social Sciences (15%)
    • Communication (13%)
    • Biology (12%)
    • Business (11%)
    • Psychology (11%)
  • Roanoke College
    • Business (25%)
    • Social Sciences (16%)
    • Psychology (10%)
    • History (9%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (7%)
  • Location
  • CNU Newport News, VA
  • Roanoke College Salem, VA
  • Setting
  • CNU Midsize City
  • Roanoke College Midsize Suburban
  • Total enrollment
  • CNU 4,454
  • Roanoke College 1,804
  • Type
  • CNU Public 4 Year
  • Roanoke College Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • CNU #378
  • Roanoke College #369

Comparable Facts

Compare Christopher Newport University in Newport News, VA with Roanoke College in Salem, VA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

Christopher Newport University is larger than Roanoke College based on total student enrollment (4,454 students vs. 1,804 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Christopher Newport University is located in Newport News, VA (Midsize City setting); Roanoke College is in Salem, VA (Midsize Suburban setting).
  • Christopher Newport University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Roanoke College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Christopher Newport University 13:1; Roanoke College 11:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Christopher Newport University are 18.9% lower than at Roanoke College ($12,460 vs. $15,366).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 22.1% higher at Roanoke College than at Christopher Newport University (about $6,890 more per year; $38,068 vs. $31,178).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Roanoke College than at Christopher Newport University (100% vs. 64%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Roanoke College students is 168.6% larger than aid received by Christopher Newport University students ($28,188 vs. $10,494).

Admissions details

  • Incoming CNU students have the same typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate; 27) as students at Roanoke College (27).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both CNU and Roanoke College.
  • Typical fall application deadline: CNU Feb 1, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at CNU average a 3.79 high school GPA, 0.23 higher than at Roanoke College (3.56).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 18% at CNU vs. 9.7% at Roanoke College.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Christopher Newport University graduates have a $2,000 lower median loan debt than Roanoke College graduates ($25,000 vs. $27,000).
  • Among borrowers, CNU graduates have an estimated $21 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Roanoke College graduates ($258 vs. $279).
  • More CNU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Roanoke College students, three years after graduation (78% vs. 75%).

Sources: U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS and College Scorecard. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.

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