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#8 Best Public Universities in Virginia

CNU Admission Requirements

Newport News, Virginia

 4 Reviews

Your chances of getting into Christopher Newport University

Admission Rate & Difficulty

Percent Admitted 

85.4%
Admission Difficulty for Christopher Newport University
Measure Difficulty
Admission Standards Challenging 
Applicant Competition Very Low 

Acceptance Rate

The acceptance rate at CNU is 85.4%.  Its admission rate is the 29th lowest in Virginia.

Admission Selectivity

How hard is it to get into CNU and can you get accepted?

Christopher Newport University is an easy school to get into and you have a very good chance of acceptance if you meet the admission criteria. Last year, 6,340 out of the 7,428 who applied were admitted.

Christopher Newport University typically accepts and attracts "A-" average high school students with an average GPA around 3.79. Most incoming freshmen graduate in the top half of their high school class. 18% of those admitted chose to enroll in the school.

Can you get into CNU?

85% are accepted, can you get in? Use the admission calculator to see if you have the grades and test scores needed to get in. See your admission chances based on your extracurriculars, intended major, background, and more.

Calculate your admission chances
Calculate your admission chances

Admission Requirements in Brief

To have the best chance of getting into to Christopher Newport University you should:

  • Have a high school GPA of 3.79 or better
  • Earn A- grades in high school
  • Score 1200 on the SAT
  • Score 25 on the ACT
  • Graduate in the top half of your high school class

CNU GPA

GPA Requirements & Average GPA

Avg. High School GPA 

3.79

Typical High School Grades 

A-

What GPA do you need to get into Christopher Newport University?

GPA Requirements

The GPA requirements for getting into CNU are to have around a 3.79 high school GPA. You are required to have exceptionally good grades and you should be graduating near the top of your class.

If your high school grades are above the average 3.79 GPA, you have a very good chance of being admitted as CNU accepts 85% of applicants.

Average GPA

The average unweighted GPA at CNU is 3.79 on the 4.0 scale. 34% of students who get in have perfect 4.0 GPA's in high school. To achieve the average GPA for admission, you need to earn A- letter grades and regularly score around 90-92 percent on tests and assignments in high school.  The school ranks #6 in Virginia for highest average GPA.

Importance of GPA

Since CNU is a test optional college, extra focus will be placed on your GPA when the school considers your application. As a result, it is very important that you meet the GPA requirements.

See additional colleges accepting applicants in the 3.8 GPA range.

Competitiveness by GPA Ranges

The table below outlines the number of admitted freshmen by GPA range as well as how competitive your GPA will be as compared with other applicants.

High School GPA's for admitted Christopher Newport University students
High School GPA Freshmen Within Range Competitiveness 
4.0 34.0% Good
3.75 to 3.99 22.0% Avg
3.50 to 3.74 18.0% Avg -
3.25 to 3.49 15.0% Reach
3.00 to 3.24 8.0% Reach
2.50 to 2.99 3.0% Low
2.00 to 2.49 0% Low
1.00 to 1.99 0% Low
less than 1.00 0% Low

 What do these chances mean?

GPA Data Source, Peterson's Data 2022

Calculate My Chances 

CNU SAT Scores

Testing Requirements

Submission of SAT or ACT scores is not required for admission to Christopher Newport University. If you optionally submit test scores, they will be considered with your application, but they are not mandatory. 40% of students submitted SAT scores and 7% submitted ACT scores for admission for the most recent academic year..

SAT Requirements & Average SAT Score

SAT Range 

1100-1290

Applicants Submitting SAT 

40%
SAT Scores for Christopher Newport University
SAT Test 25th Percentile Score
Reading 25th Percentile 560
Math 25th Percentile 540
Composite 25th Percentile 1100
SAT Scores for Christopher Newport University
SAT Test 75th Percentile Score
Reading 75th Percentile 660
Math 75th Percentile 630
Composite 75th Percentile 1290
Average SAT Score 1200

SAT Scores you need to get in

What are the SAT requirements for you to be admitted to Christopher Newport University?

Average Score & Range

The average SAT score at CNU is 1200 out of 1600 and the range for the middle 50% of accepted students is 1100-1290. Students who get into Christopher Newport University score in the top 41 percent of all SAT test takers..  CNU ranks #14 in the state of Virginia for highest average SAT composite score.

Score for Acceptance

You should target scoring 1200 or above to be most competitive with other applicants. CNU regularly admits students with SAT scores down to 1100 on a 1600 scale. However, three quarter of admitted students score higher. If you score below a 1100, admission should be considered a reach. Some students may be accepted with minimum SAT's as low as 1000, but scores this low are outside the normal range.

Score Submission Requirements

Christopher Newport University is a test optional school meaning do not have to submit SAT scores with your application. The position on SAT scores from the college is "not required for admission, but considered if submitted (test optional)".

View other colleges which accept students in the 1200 SAT score range.

Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2022 starting class

Chance of Acceptance by SAT Score

The table below outlines your predicted admission chances based on SAT score alone. If you are an average applicant with a score of 1195, you have around a 85% chance of being admitted. A 1290 places you well ahead of most other applicants and gives you about a 92% chance of getting in.

Christopher Newport University admission chances by SAT score
SAT Score (1600 scale) Competitiveness  Admission Chances 
1290 and Above Good >92%
1195 to 1290 Avg + 85%-92%
1100 to 1195 Avg - 75%-85%
1005 to 1100 Reach 61%-75%
Less than 1005 Low <61%
Calculate My Chances 

CNU ACT Scores

ACT Requirements & Average ACT Score

ACT Range 

22-29 

Applicants Submitting ACT 

7%
ACT Scores for Christopher Newport University
ACT Test 25th Percentile Score
Reading 25th Percentile N/A
Math 25th Percentile N/A
Composite 25th Percentile 22
ACT Scores for Christopher Newport University
ACT Test 75th Percentile Score
Reading 75th Percentile N/A
Math 75th Percentile N/A
Composite 75th Percentile 29
Average ACT Score 25

ACT Scores needed to get accepted

What are the ACT requirements for students to get into CNU?

Score Range

The average ACT score for admitted students to CNU is 25, while the middle 50% of students (25th to 75th percentile) score between a 22 and 29.  The school ranks #18 in Virginia for highest average ACT composite score.

Score for Acceptance

For the best chance of admission, you should have an ACT of 25. This will place you in solid competition against other applicants. At a minimum, you should aim for a 22 and score in the score in the top 37 percent nationally. The lowest ACT score likely to be admitted is a 18.

7 percent of applicants submit ACT scores to Christopher Newport University.

Score Submission Requirements

You do not have to to submit ACT scores with your application as Christopher Newport University is test optional. The policy from the school on ACT scores is "not required for admission, but considered if submitted (test optional)".

Find other colleges with similar ACT score requirements

Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2022 starting class

Chance of Acceptance by ACT Score

Here are your predicted chances of getting into CNU for different ACT score ranges. A typical applicant with a 25 score has around 85% chance of getting in. Your odds increase to about 92% with a 29 ACT score.

Christopher Newport University admission chances by ACT score
ACT Score Competitiveness  Admission Chances 
29 and Above Good >92%
25 to 29 Avg + 85%-92%
22 to 25 Avg - 77%-85%
19 to 22 Reach 65%-77%
Less than 19 Low <65%
Calculate My Chances 

High School Class Rank

77% of Christopher Newport University freshman are in the top half of their high school graduating class and 44% are in the top quarter.

High School Class Rank for admitted Christopher Newport University students
High School Class Rank Freshmen Within Range
Top 10% of class 16%
Top 25% of class 44%
Top 50% of class 77%
Data Source, Peterson's Data

Applying

Admission Statistics

Admission and enrollment rates by gender are detailed the the table below.

Christopher Newport University admission statistics
Women Men Total
Applied 4,042 3,386 7,428
Accepted 3,502 2,838 6,340
Acceptance Rate 87% 84% 85%
Enrolled 586 575 1,161
Percent of Admitted Who Enrolled (Admission Yield) 17% 20% 18%
Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2022 starting class

Fall 2025 Application Deadline

Applications Due

Feb 1, 2025

Days left to Apply

52

Applicants have 52 days left until the Fall 2025 term applications are due on Feb 1, 2025.

Application Fee

The cost for prospective students to apply to Christopher Newport University is $65.

Application Requirements

What are the requirements for admission to Christopher Newport University and what student information is used for admission decisions?

Christopher Newport University Application Requirements
Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
High School GPA Required to be considered for admission
High School Class Rank Not required for admission, but considered if submitted
Completion of College Preparatory Program Required to be considered for admission
Recommendations Not required for admission, but considered if submitted
Demonstration of Competencies Not required for admission, but considered if submitted

Credits Accepted

High School Credits Accepted at Christopher Newport University
AP Credit Yes
Dual Credit Yes
Credit for Life Experiences No

Admission Requirements Summary

Because Christopher Newport University is lightly competitive to get into, you have a very good chance of acceptance with the right GPA and test scores. If you have a 3.79 GPA, you are almost certain to getting in. Combining this with an SAT score of 1200 and ACT of 25 will almost guarantee your admission.

Other Colleges to Apply To 

Students applying to Christopher Newport University often consider these colleges

Primary data source, U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=231712 IPEDS survey data for Christopher Newport University.

Last updated February 24, 2024