CNU vs. VCU

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

CNU VCU
Location Newport News, VA Richmond, VA
Setting Midsize City Midsize City
Enrollment 4,559 28,082
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #390 #442
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website cnu.edu vcu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

CNU VCU
Tuition (In State) $9,375 $12,458
Tuition (Out of State) $22,613 $33,726
Room & Board $11,990 $12,279
Avg Net Price $23,287 $21,294
Avg Grant Aid $8,022 $12,583
% Receiving Grant Aid 66% 83%

Admission

CNU VCU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 7,428 18,242
Admitted 6,340 16,600
Acceptance Rate 85.4% 91%
Enrolled % 18.3% 25.1%
Avg High School GPA 3.79 3.75
Typical High School Grades A- A-
Admissions Standards Challenging Difficult
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 22/29 22/30
SAT Range 1100/1290 1030/1290
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, 2024 Jan 18, 2024

Academics

CNU VCU
Student to Faculty Ratio 13:1 16:1
Popular Majors
  • Social Sciences (15%)
  • Communication (13%)
  • Biology (12%)
  • Business (11%)
  • Psychology (11%)
  • Business (15%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (13%)
  • Health Professions (9%)
  • Psychology (9%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (8%)

Outcomes

CNU VCU
Graduation Rate 63% 53%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $47,100 $47,500
Making Student Loan Payments 78% 56%
Median Student Loan Debt $25,000 $23,250
Median Loan Payment $258 $240

Diversity

CNU VCU
% Men 46% 36%
% Women 54% 64%
Racial Diversity Low Very High
HBCU No No
% White 74% 50%
% Black 8% 18%
% Hispanic 5% 8%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 5% 6%
% International 0% 3%
% Unknown Race 5% 1%

Students

CNU VCU
% In-State 91% 92%
% Out-of-State 6% 6%

Campus

CNU VCU
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes No Yes
Daycare Facility No Yes
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Virginia Commonwealth University is larger than than CNU based on total student enrollment (28,082 students vs. 4,559 students)

CNU vs. VCU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, CNU or VCU?

  • Virginia Commonwealth University is 32.9% more expensive to attend than CNU for in-state tuition ($12,458.00 vs. $9,375.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 49.1% higher at VCU than Christopher Newport University ($33,726.00 vs. $22,613.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Virginia Commonwealth University than CNU ($21,294 vs. $23,287)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Christopher Newport University are 2.4% lower than costs at Virginia Commonwealth University ($11,990 vs. $12,279)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Virginia Commonwealth University than Christopher Newport University (83% vs. 66%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Virginia Commonwealth University students is 56.9% larger than aid received Christopher Newport University ($12,583 vs. $8,022)

CNU vs. VCU Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Christopher Newport University (1155) is 58 points higher than at VCU (1097)
  • Incoming CNU students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (25) than students at VCU (24)
  • Accepted freshman CNU students have a 0.04 point higher average high school GPA (3.79) than students at VCU (3.75)
  • VCU has a higher acceptance rate (91%) than CNU (85.4%)

CNU vs. VCU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, CNU or VCU? 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 VCU and CNU.

  • The graduation rate at CNU is higher than Virginia Commonwealth University (63% vs. 53%)
  • Graduates from Virginia Commonwealth University earn on average $400 more per year than CNU graduates after ten years. ($47,500 vs. $47,100)
  • Virginia Commonwealth University students graduate with a $1,750 lower median federal student loan debt than CNU graduates. ($23,250 vs. $25,000)
  • VCU graduates are paying $18 less per month on federal student loans than CNU graduates. ($240 vs. $258)
  • More CNU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former VCU students, three years after graduation. (78% vs. 56%)

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