CNU vs. Washington and Lee

Should I go to Christopher Newport University or Washington and Lee University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if CNU or Washington and Lee 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.

Add a college to compare up to four schools

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

JMU William & Mary Davidson Mason University of Richmond UVA Old Dominion Mary Washington College Lehigh Virginia Tech VCU Emory
Christopher Newport University vs. Washington and Lee University comparison
Christopher Newport University Washington and Lee University College 3 College 4
Christopher Newport University Washington and Lee University
Remove Remove +Add +Add

Overview

CNU Washington and Lee
Location Newport News, VA Lexington, VA
Setting Midsize City Distant Town
Enrollment 4,559 2,243
Type Public 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #390 #30
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website cnu.edu wlu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

CNU Washington and Lee
Tuition (In State) $9,375 $60,590
Tuition (Out of State) $22,613 $60,590
Room & Board $11,990 $16,920
Avg Net Price $23,287 $24,733
Avg Grant Aid $8,022 $55,567
% Receiving Grant Aid 66% 61%

Admission

CNU Washington and Lee
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 7,428 7,224
Admitted 6,340 1,225
Acceptance Rate 85.4% 17%
Enrolled % 18.3% 38.9%
Avg High School GPA 3.79 3.87
Typical High School Grades A- A-
Admissions Standards Challenging Exceptional
Applicant Competition Very High
ACT Range 22/29 32/34
SAT Range 1100/1290 1410/1533
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 1, 2024

Academics

CNU Washington and Lee
Student to Faculty Ratio 13:1 7:1
Popular Majors
  • Social Sciences (15%)
  • Communication (13%)
  • Biology (12%)
  • Business (11%)
  • Psychology (11%)
  • Social Sciences (21%)
  • Business (19%)
  • Foreign Languages (9%)
  • History (7%)
  • Biology (7%)

Outcomes

CNU Washington and Lee
Graduation Rate 63% 91%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $47,100 $89,000
Making Student Loan Payments 78% 88%
Median Student Loan Debt $25,000 $21,500
Median Loan Payment $258 $222

Diversity

CNU Washington and Lee
% Men 46% 49%
% Women 54% 51%
Racial Diversity Low Very Low
HBCU No No
% White 74% 82%
% Black 8% 2%
% Hispanic 5% 3%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 5% 3%
% International 0% 4%
% Unknown Race 5% 2%

Students

CNU Washington and Lee
% In-State 91% 18%
% Out-of-State 6% 73%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Christopher Newport University is larger than than Washington and Lee based on total student enrollment (4,559 students vs. 2,243 students)

CNU vs. Washington and Lee Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, CNU or Washington and Lee?

  • Washington and Lee University is 546.3% more expensive to attend than CNU for in-state tuition ($60,590.00 vs. $9,375.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 167.9% higher at Washington and Lee than Christopher Newport University ($60,590.00 vs. $22,613.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Christopher Newport University than Washington and Lee ($23,287 vs. $24,733)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Christopher Newport University are 41.1% lower than costs at Washington and Lee University ($11,990 vs. $16,920)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Christopher Newport University than Washington and Lee University (66% vs. 61%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Washington and Lee University students is 592.7% larger than aid received Christopher Newport University ($55,567 vs. $8,022)

CNU vs. Washington and Lee Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Washington and Lee University (1395) is 240 points higher than at CNU (1155)
  • Incoming Washington and Lee students have a 7 point higher average ACT score (32) than students at CNU (25)
  • Accepted freshman Washington and Lee students have a 0.08 point higher average high school GPA (3.87) than students at CNU (3.79)
  • CNU has a higher acceptance rate (85.4%) than Washington and Lee (17%)

CNU vs. Washington and Lee Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, CNU or Washington and Lee? 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 Washington and Lee and CNU.

  • The graduation rate at Washington and Lee is higher than Christopher Newport University (91% vs. 63%)
  • Graduates from Washington and Lee University earn on average $41,900 more per year than CNU graduates after ten years. ($89,000 vs. $47,100)
  • Washington and Lee University students graduate with a $3,500 lower median federal student loan debt than CNU graduates. ($21,500 vs. $25,000)
  • Washington and Lee graduates are paying $36 less per month on federal student loans than CNU graduates. ($222 vs. $258)
  • More Washington and Lee graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former CNU students, three years after graduation. (88% vs. 78%)

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