MSU vs. CNU

Deciding between Montana State University and Christopher Newport University? The table below shows tuition, aid, admissions, and outcomes side by side. Data comes from public sources across more than 3,000 U.S. colleges and universities. No account is required.

Montana State University
Christopher Newport University

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  • Overview

  • Location
  • MSU Bozeman, MT
  • CNU Newport News, VA
  • Setting
  • MSU Remote Town
  • CNU Midsize City
  • Total enrollment
  • MSU 17,135
  • CNU 4,454
  • Type
  • MSU Public 4 Year
  • CNU Public 4 Year
  • National Ranking
  • MSU #620
  • CNU #378
  • Religious Affiliation
  • MSU -
  • CNU -
  • Status
  • MSU Non-profit
  • CNU Non-profit
  • Team Colors
  • MSU
  • CNU

  • Cost

  • Tuition (In State)
  • MSU $8,460
  • CNU $16,828
  • Tuition (Out of State)
  • MSU $33,287
  • CNU $31,178
  • Room & Board
  • MSU $14,000
  • CNU $12,460
  • Average Net Price
  • MSU $20,142
  • CNU $23,148
  • Average Grant Aid
  • MSU $11,763
  • CNU $10,494
  • % Receiving Grant Aid
  • MSU 83%
  • CNU 64%

  • Admissions

  • Applied
  • MSU 21,652
  • CNU 7,341
  • Admitted
  • MSU 17,786
  • CNU 6,316
  • Acceptance Rate
  • MSU 82.1%
  • CNU 86%
  • Enrolled
  • MSU 20.3%
  • CNU 18%
  • Typical SAT score
  • MSU 1180
  • CNU 1180
  • Typical ACT score
  • MSU 24
  • CNU 27
  • Average High School GPA
  • MSU 3.5
  • CNU 3.79
  • Typical High School Grades
  • MSU A-
  • CNU A-
  • Admissions Standards
  • MSU Average
  • CNU Challenging
  • Applicant Competition
  • MSU
  • CNU
  • ACT Range
  • MSU 21/27
  • CNU 25/30
  • SAT Range
  • MSU 1065/1285
  • CNU 1060/1290
  • Submit Test Scores
  • MSU Test optional
  • CNU Test optional
  • Application Deadline
  • MSU
  • CNU Feb 1, 2027

  • Academics

  • Student to Faculty Ratio
  • MSU 18:1
  • CNU 13:1
  • Popular Majors
  • MSU
    • Engineering (12%)
    • Business (10%)
    • Health Professions (9%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (8%)
    • Education (7%)
  • CNU
    • Social Sciences (15%)
    • Communication (13%)
    • Biology (12%)
    • Business (11%)
    • Psychology (11%)

  • Outcomes

  • Graduation Rate
  • MSU 51%
  • CNU 63%
  • Median Earnings (After 10 years)
  • MSU $45,800
  • CNU $47,100
  • Making Student Loan Payments
  • MSU 71%
  • CNU 78%
  • Median Student Loan Debt
  • MSU $24,000
  • CNU $25,000
  • Median Loan Payment
  • MSU $248
  • CNU $258

  • Diversity

  • % Men
  • MSU 52%
  • CNU 47%
  • % Women
  • MSU 48%
  • CNU 53%
  • Racial Diversity
  • MSU Very Low
  • CNU Low
  • HBCU
  • MSU No
  • CNU No
  • % White
  • MSU 86%
  • CNU 74%
  • % Asian
  • MSU 1%
  • CNU 3%
  • % Black
  • MSU 1%
  • CNU 8%
  • % Hispanic
  • MSU 4%
  • CNU 5%
  • % Native American
  • MSU 2%
  • CNU 0%
  • % Pacific Islander
  • MSU 0%
  • CNU 0%
  • % Two or More Races
  • MSU 3%
  • CNU 5%
  • % International
  • MSU 3%
  • CNU 0%
  • % Unknown Race
  • MSU 1%
  • CNU 5%

  • Students

  • % In-State
  • MSU 39%
  • CNU 92%
  • % Out-of-State
  • MSU 61%
  • CNU 5%

  • Campus

  • Campus Housing
  • MSU Yes
  • CNU Yes
  • Freshman Dorm Required
  • MSU No
  • CNU No
  • Meal Plan
  • MSU Yes
  • CNU Yes
  • Weekend/Evening Classes
  • MSU No
  • CNU No
  • Daycare Facility
  • MSU Yes
  • CNU No

Comparable Facts

Compare Montana State University in Bozeman, MT with Christopher Newport University in Newport News, VA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Montana State University is larger than CNU based on total student enrollment (17,135 students vs. 4,454 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Montana State University is located in Bozeman, MT (Remote Town setting); Christopher Newport University is in Newport News, VA (Midsize City setting).
  • Montana State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Christopher Newport University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Montana State University 18:1; Christopher Newport University 13:1.

MSU vs. CNU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, MSU or CNU? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Montana State University than CNU ($20,142 vs. $23,148).
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Christopher Newport University are 11% lower than at Montana State University ($12,460 vs. $14,000).
  • Christopher Newport University is 98.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than MSU (about $8,368 more per year; $16,828.00 vs. $8,460.00).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 6.8% higher at MSU than at Christopher Newport University (about $2,109 more per year; $33,287.00 vs. $31,178.00).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Montana State University than at Christopher Newport University (83% vs. 64%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Montana State University students is 12.1% larger than aid received by Christopher Newport University students ($11,763 vs. $10,494).

MSU vs. CNU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, MSU or CNU? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between CNU and MSU.

  • The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Montana State University (1180) is the same as at CNU (1180).
  • Incoming CNU students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (27 vs. 24 at MSU).
  • Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Montana State University 1065/1285; Christopher Newport University 1060/1290.
  • Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Montana State University 21/27; Christopher Newport University 25/30.
  • Submitting SAT or ACT scores: MSU - Test optional; CNU - Test optional.
  • Typical fall application deadline: CNU Feb 1, 2027.
  • Accepted freshman CNU students have a 0.29 point higher average high school GPA (3.79) than students at MSU (3.5).
  • CNU has a higher acceptance rate (86%) than MSU (82.1%).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 20.3% at MSU vs. 18% at CNU.

MSU vs. CNU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for MSU and CNU? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

  • Christopher Newport University's six-year graduation rate (63%) is higher than Montana State University's (51%).
  • Graduates from Christopher Newport University earn a median of about $1,300 more per year than MSU graduates about ten years after starting college ($47,100 vs. $45,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Montana State University graduates have a $1,000 lower median loan debt than CNU graduates ($24,000 vs. $25,000).
  • Among borrowers, MSU graduates have an estimated $10 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than CNU graduates ($248 vs. $258).
  • More CNU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former MSU students, three years after graduation. (78% vs. 71%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.