Tennessee Tech vs. CNU

Comparable Facts

Compare Tennessee Technological University in Cookeville, TN with Christopher Newport University in Newport News, VA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Tennessee Technological University is larger than CNU based on total student enrollment (10,511 students vs. 4,454 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Tennessee Technological University is located in Cookeville, TN (Remote Town setting); Christopher Newport University is in Newport News, VA (Midsize City setting).
• Tennessee Technological University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Christopher Newport University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Tennessee Technological University 16:1; Christopher Newport University 13:1.

Tennessee Tech vs. CNU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Tennessee Tech 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 Tennessee Technological University than CNU ($15,336 vs. $23,148).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Christopher Newport University are 6.3% lower than at Tennessee Technological University ($12,460 vs. $13,302).
• Christopher Newport University is 47.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Tennessee Tech (about $5,452 more per year; $16,828.00 vs. $11,376.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 100.2% higher at CNU than at Tennessee Technological University (about $15,602 more per year; $31,178.00 vs. $15,576.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Tennessee Technological University than at Christopher Newport University (95% vs. 64%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Christopher Newport University students is 0.3% larger than aid received by Tennessee Technological University students ($10,494 vs. $10,458).

Tennessee Tech vs. CNU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Tennessee Tech 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 Tennessee Tech.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Tennessee Technological University (1180) is the same as at CNU (1180).
• Incoming CNU students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (27 vs. 23 at Tennessee Tech).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Tennessee Technological University 1048/1310; Christopher Newport University 1060/1290.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Tennessee Technological University 20/27; Christopher Newport University 25/30.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Tennessee Tech - Test optional; CNU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Tennessee Tech Aug 1, 2027; CNU Feb 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman CNU students have a 0.16 point higher average high school GPA (3.79) than students at Tennessee Tech (3.63).
• CNU has a higher acceptance rate (86%) than Tennessee Tech (76.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 22.8% at Tennessee Tech vs. 18% at CNU.

Tennessee Tech vs. CNU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Tennessee Tech 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 Tennessee Technological University's (50%).
• Graduates from Christopher Newport University earn a median of about $3,700 more per year than Tennessee Tech graduates about ten years after starting college ($47,100 vs. $43,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Tennessee Technological University graduates have a $9,000 lower median loan debt than CNU graduates ($16,000 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, Tennessee Tech graduates have an estimated $93 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than CNU graduates ($165 vs. $258).
• More CNU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Tennessee Tech students, three years after graduation. (78% vs. 61%)

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.