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Christopher Newport University

CNU

Newport News, Virginia 23606-3072

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Campus Vibe

Mid-SizeUrbanPublic

Known for business

Christopher Newport University is a public institution in Newport News with particular strength in business and biology. With an average SAT of 1207, the school attracts a broad applicant pool.

A mid-sized campus of 4.4K undergraduates with a 13:1 student-faculty ratio. The urban location puts students at the center of city life.

75% of students graduate within four years, and graduates earn a median of $60,509 a decade after enrollment. Net price after aid averages $22,197.

Established
1960
Motto
"Students Come First"
Mascot
Captain Chris
Type
Public university
Division
Division III

Plan Your Visit

88%Acceptance
1207SAT Avg
4,402Students
13:1Student:Faculty
75%Grad Rate
$60,509Earnings 10yr
$22,197Net Price

News & Alerts

program2026-03-15

Christopher Newport University Launches New Data Science Minor

Starting Fall 2026, students can pursue an interdisciplinary data science minor combining CS, statistics, and domain courses.

tuition2026-02-28

Tuition Increase Announced for 2026-27

The board of trustees approved a 3.2% tuition increase for the upcoming academic year, in line with peer institutions.

Admissions

Acceptance Rate88.0%

SAT Score Ranges

Average: 1207

Reading & WritingMid: 620
560670
MathMid: 595
540630

ACT Score Range

CompositeMid: 27
2329

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard / IPEDS.

Admissions Intel

Acceptance Rate

88.0%

Trend

SAT Avg

1207

Yield Rate

35.0%

Cost & Financial Aid

Sticker Price

Tuition (in-state)$16,351
Tuition (out-of-state)$30,988
Room & Board$12,360
Books & Supplies$1,516
Total Cost of Attendance$32,242
Average Net Price$22,197
Median Debt at Graduation$25,000
Monthly Payment (10yr)$265

Net Price by Family Income

$0–30K$9,652
$30–48K$11,509
$48–75K$15,030
$75–110K$24,931
$110K+$30,024

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Net price reflects most recent cohort of federally-aided undergraduates.

Debt & Aid Detail

Net Price Trend

Tuition Trend

Graduate w/ Zero Debt

63.5%

Avg Tuition Increase

3.2%/yr

Median Debt at Grad

$19,500

Campus Safety

Total Incidents (2024)

35

Peer Average

37

3-Year Trend

Emergency System

Campus police, emergency alert system, blue-light phones

Incident Breakdown (2024)

9

Burglary

2

Aggravated Assault

1

Robbery

3

Motor Vehicle Theft

4

Sex Offenses

0

Arson

9

Drug Arrests

7

Liquor Arrests

Source: U.S. Department of Education Campus Safety & Security data (Clery Act, 2024 reporting year).

Programs (27)

Student Life

Student Satisfaction

Retention Rate

83%

Mixed
  • 83% first-year retention rate
  • Active student organizations
  • Engaged campus community

Mental Health Services

Counselor Ratio

1:350

24/7 Crisis Line

Yes

Free Sessions

12 per year

Avg Wait

5 days

Walk-in hours available weekdays

Disability Services

Dedicated OfficeOffice of Disability Services
Extended test timeNote-taking assistanceHousing accommodationsAccessible transportation

ADA-compliant campus with ongoing accessibility improvements

Dining

Rating

★★★★☆

Score

4/5

Meal Plan

$6,200/yr

VegetarianVeganGluten-freeHalalKosher

Multiple dining halls with farm-to-table options

Student Body

Undergrads
4,402
Gender Split
52% / 48%
Women / Men
First Generation
18%
Pell Grant Recipients
15%

Race & Ethnicity

White 72%
Black 9%
Hispanic 8%
Asian 4%
Two+ 5%

Outcomes

4-Year Graduation Rate75.1%
Freshman Retention82.8%

Median Earnings After Graduation

6 Years$51,931
10 Years$60,509

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Earnings reflect federally-aided students 6 and 10 years after entry.

Rankings

U.S. News
#136
2
vs 2024

More About This School

Varsity Sports — Capital Athletic

Soccer programBasketball program

History & Fun Facts

  • The college was founded as an extension of the College of William Mary and offered extension courses that had already been available in the area for some time.
  • In 1964, the college was moved to its current location, a 75-acre (300,000 m) tract of land seized by the city via eminent domain.
  • In 1971, CNC became a four-year college; however, it remained an extension of William Mary until 1977 when it became an autonomous four-year institution.

Source: Wikipedia

Location & Lifestyle

Cost of Living

112Above Average

Housing and food costs are higher than national average

Climate (School Year)

68°
Sep
55°
Oct
42°
Nov
30°
Dec
25°
Jan
28°
Feb
38°
Mar
50°
Apr
62°
May
Snowfall: 48"Sunny days: 200Rainy days: 120

Nearest Cities

Bostonpop. 675,647
90 miles(95 min)
Hartfordpop. 121,054
60 miles(70 min)

Transit Scores

BikeableCampus shuttle: Free campus shuttle runs 7am-midnight
72
Walk Score
45
Transit Score
68
Bike Score

Local Economy

Unemployment Rate3.2%
Top Employers
UniversityRegional Medical CenterTech corridor firms
Key Industries
EducationHealthcareTechnology

Getting There

Nearest Airports

RIC Richmond55 mi
IAD Washington Dulles141 mi
BWI Baltimore-Washington146 mi

Distance to Cities

Boston, MA466 mi · ~13h 28m drive
New York, NY285 mi · ~8h 14m drive
Hartford, CT384 mi · ~11h 6m drive
Providence, RI426 mi · ~12h 18m drive
Albany, NY413 mi · ~11h 56m drive
Syracuse, NY414 mi · ~11h 58m drive
Rochester, NY425 mi · ~12h 17m drive
Buffalo, NY422 mi · ~12h 11m drive
Philadelphia, PA212 mi · ~6h 7m drive
Pittsburgh, PA300 mi · ~8h 40m drive
Harrisburg, PA223 mi · ~6h 27m drive
Newark, NJ283 mi · ~8h 11m drive
Washington, DC131 mi · ~3h 47m drive
Baltimore, MD154 mi · ~4h 27m drive
Atlanta, GA500 mi · ~14h 27m drive
Charlotte, NC274 mi · ~7h 55m drive
Raleigh, NC149 mi · ~4h 18m drive
Miami, FL810 mi · ~23h 24m drive
Orlando, FL653 mi · ~18h 52m drive
Tampa, FL719 mi · ~20h 46m drive
Nashville, TN574 mi · ~16h 35m drive
New Orleans, LA922 mi · ~26h 38m drive
Richmond, VA61 mi · ~1h 46m drive
Chicago, IL680 mi · ~19h 39m drive
Detroit, MI504 mi · ~14h 34m drive
Minneapolis, MN1028 mi · ~29h 42m drive
St. Louis, MO755 mi · ~21h 49m drive
Kansas City, MO992 mi · ~28h 39m drive
Indianapolis, IN555 mi · ~16h 2m drive
Columbus, OH405 mi · ~11h 42m drive
Cleveland, OH414 mi · ~11h 58m drive
Milwaukee, WI730 mi · ~21h 5m drive
Dallas, TX1185 mi · ~34h 14m drive
Houston, TX1197 mi · ~34h 35m drive
Austin, TX1305 mi · ~37h 42m drive
San Antonio, TX1372 mi · ~39h 38m drive
Los Angeles, CA2337 mi · ~67h 31m drive
San Francisco, CA2495 mi · ~72h 5m drive
San Diego, CA2307 mi · ~66h 39m drive
Seattle, WA2413 mi · ~69h 43m drive
Portland, OR2432 mi · ~70h 15m drive
Denver, CO1547 mi · ~44h 41m drive
Phoenix, AZ2011 mi · ~58h 6m drive
Salt Lake City, UT1907 mi · ~55h 5m drive
Honolulu, HI4884 mi · ~141h 6m drive
Mid-Atlantic / Central (moderate winters, warm summers)

Visit Planning

Suggested Itinerary

9:00 AMArrive & park
Visitor parking lot
Free parking with visitor pass
9:30 AMCheck in at Admissions
Admissions Office
10:00 AMInformation session
Welcome Center
45 minutes
11:00 AMCampus tour
Starts at Welcome Center
75 minutes, student-led
12:30 PMLunch
Main Dining Hall
Visitor meal passes available
1:30 PMDepartment visit
Academic buildings
Schedule with department directly
2:30 PMExplore campus independently
Library, student center, residence halls

Airport Transit

Richmond (RIC)55 miles
Rental car
83 min$40-60/day
Shuttle/rideshare
110 min$66-110
Washington Dulles (IAD)141 miles
Rental car
212 min$40-60/day
Shuttle/rideshare
282 min$169-282

Deadline Calendar

Christopher Newport University Application Checklist

Decision Notifications

Christopher Newport University — v2 Preview — TourStack