Salisbury vs. CNU

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

Salisbury University
Christopher Newport University

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: CNU (86% admitted vs 87.5%). Typical SAT 1180 vs 1250.
  • Cheaper after aid: Salisbury. Average net price is $18,760 vs $23,148 at CNU.
  • Graduation: Salisbury 67% vs CNU 63%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Salisbury $52,000 vs CNU $47,100 (median).
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Key differences

Salisbury University Christopher Newport University
Acceptance rate
CNU more selective
Salisbury87.5%
CNU86%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Salisbury higher
Salisbury1180-1320
CNU1060-1290
Average net price
Salisbury $4,388 less
Salisbury$18,760
CNU$23,148
In-state tuition
Salisbury $5,744 less
Salisbury$11,084
CNU$16,828
Out-of-state tuition
Salisbury $9,004 less
Salisbury$22,174
CNU$31,178
Graduation rate
Salisbury +4 pts
Salisbury67%
CNU63%
Median earnings (10 years)
Salisbury +$4,900
Salisbury$52,000
CNU$47,100

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Salisbury 8,845
  • CNU 7,341
  • Admitted
  • Salisbury 7,737
  • CNU 6,316
  • Acceptance rate
  • Salisbury 87.5%
  • CNU 86%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Salisbury 18.4%
  • CNU 18%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Salisbury 1250
  • CNU 1180
  • Typical ACT score
  • Salisbury 24
  • CNU 27
  • Average high school GPA
  • Salisbury 3.73
  • CNU 3.79
  • Typical high school grades
  • Salisbury A-
  • CNU A-
  • Admissions standards
  • Salisbury Challenging
  • CNU Challenging
  • Applicant competition
  • Salisbury
  • CNU
  • SAT range
  • Salisbury 1180-1320
  • CNU 1060-1290
  • ACT range
  • Salisbury 20-29
  • CNU 25-30
  • Submit test scores
  • Salisbury Test optional
  • CNU Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Salisbury Jan 15, 2027
  • CNU Feb 1, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Salisbury $11,084
  • CNU $16,828
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Salisbury $22,174
  • CNU $31,178
  • Room & board
  • Salisbury $13,900
  • CNU $12,460
  • Average net price
  • Salisbury $18,760
  • CNU $23,148
  • Average grant aid
  • Salisbury $9,124
  • CNU $10,494
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Salisbury 88%
  • CNU 64%
  • Graduation rate
  • Salisbury 67%
  • CNU 63%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Salisbury $52,000
  • CNU $47,100
  • Making student loan payments
  • Salisbury 68%
  • CNU 78%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Salisbury $20,153
  • CNU $25,000
  • Median loan payment
  • Salisbury $208
  • CNU $258
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Salisbury 14:1
  • CNU 13:1
  • Popular majors
  • Salisbury
    • Business (17%)
    • Education (12%)
    • Health Professions (8%)
    • Communication (8%)
    • Psychology (7%)
  • CNU
    • Social Sciences (15%)
    • Communication (13%)
    • Biology (12%)
    • Business (11%)
    • Psychology (11%)
  • Location
  • Salisbury Salisbury, MD
  • CNU Newport News, VA
  • Setting
  • Salisbury Small Suburban
  • CNU Midsize City
  • Total enrollment
  • Salisbury 7,025
  • CNU 4,454
  • Type
  • Salisbury Public 4 Year
  • CNU Public 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Salisbury #352
  • CNU #378

Comparable Facts

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

Salisbury University is larger than CNU based on total student enrollment (7,025 students vs. 4,454 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Salisbury University is located in Salisbury, MD (Small Suburban setting); Christopher Newport University is in Newport News, VA (Midsize City setting).
  • Salisbury University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Christopher Newport University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Salisbury University 14:1; Christopher Newport University 13:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Christopher Newport University are 10.4% lower than at Salisbury University ($12,460 vs. $13,900).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 40.6% higher at CNU than at Salisbury University (about $9,004 more per year; $31,178 vs. $22,174).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Salisbury University than at Christopher Newport University (88% vs. 64%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Christopher Newport University students is 15% larger than aid received by Salisbury University students ($10,494 vs. $9,124).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 3 points higher at CNU than at Salisbury (27 vs. 24, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both Salisbury and CNU.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Salisbury Jan 15, 2027; CNU Feb 1, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at CNU average a 3.79 high school GPA, 0.06 higher than at Salisbury (3.73).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 18.4% at Salisbury vs. 18% at CNU.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Salisbury University graduates have a $4,847 lower median loan debt than CNU graduates ($20,153 vs. $25,000).
  • Among borrowers, Salisbury graduates have an estimated $50 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than CNU graduates ($208 vs. $258).
  • More CNU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Salisbury students, three years after graduation (78% vs. 68%).

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

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