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Newport News , VA
Christopher Newport University (CNU) is a public liberal arts university located in Newport News, Virginia. Established in 1960, CNU has quickly gained a reputation for its excellent academic programs, vibrant campus life, and commitment to student success. With a student population of around 5,000, CNU offers a close-knit community where students can thrive academically, personally, and professionally.
At Christopher Newport University, students have a wide range of academic options to choose from. The university offers over 90 undergraduate programs in areas such as arts and humanities, business and economics, engineering, social sciences, and natural sciences. CNUÆs faculty members are renowned for their expertise and dedication to teaching, providing students with a rigorous and engaging learning experience. The university also offers various opportunities for undergraduate research, internships, and study abroad programs to enhance studentsÆ educational experience and promote their personal and professional growth.
Beyond academics, Christopher Newport University provides a vibrant campus life for its students. The university offers over 200 student organizations and clubs, including academic and professional organizations, service clubs, cultural and diversity clubs, and recreational clubs. CNU also boasts state-of-the-art facilities, including a library, an arts center, a wellness and recreation center, and modern residence halls. Additionally, the universityÆs location in Newport News provides easy access to the cultural, entertainment, and recreational opportunities of the Hampton Roads region.
In summary, Christopher Newport University offers a high-quality education within a close-knit and supportive community. With its diverse academic programs, dedicated faculty, and vibrant campus life, CNU provides students with the tools and resources they need to succeed both academically and personally. Whether you are interested in arts and humanities, sciences, or business, CNU offers a transformative educational experience that prepares students for a successful future.
Christopher Newport University is a public comprehensive higher education institution located in Newport News, VA and set in an urban environment. This institution follows a semester-based calendar. It has an acceptance rate of 86%. The freshman retention rate at Christopher Newport University is 81.24% and the six-year graduation rate is 72%.
For transfer students, the application deadline is July 15.
Explore this school's profile to find out the most essential things about Christopher Newport University.
Quick Facts
4,369
Total Number of Undergraduate Students
14:1
Student to Faculty Ratio
72%
Graduation Rate
Admissions
If you know as much as possible about the school's criteria for admission, you can make a better judgment about your eligibility and boost your chances of getting accepted. Check out some vital data about admission at Christopher Newport University.
According to the most recent data, this institution uses standardized test scores for admission and it admitted 6,316 in 2025. Christopher Newport University has an official test-optional admission policy but considers standardized test scores if the applicant chooses to submit them. As far as admission difficulty is considered, based on data self-reported by the institution this school is moderately difficult to get into.
Test Scores
37% of first-time, first-year degree-seeking students submitted their SAT scores for admission, and 6% submitted ACT scores, out of the total number of those who submitted test scores. 7% of the freshmen submitted SAT composite scores between 1,400 and 1,600, 41% between 1,200 and 1,399, 46% between 1,000 and 1,199, 4% between 800 and 999, and 1% of the students between 600 and 799. The percent of freshmen who submitted ACT Composite scores in the range between 30-36 was 24, 44 between 24-29, 27 in the range between 18-23, and 5 between 12-17.
The SAT Critical Reading average score was 615 for the accepted students, while the average SAT Math score was 585. For transfer students, the application deadline is July 15.
Retention Rate
What is the freshman retention rate? The freshman retention rate is the percentage of full-time students who entered the institution as freshmen in the previous academic year and returned for the fall term of the current academic year. When creating your list of possible schools to attend, you should consider the freshman retention rate, among other things.
The freshman retention rate for Christopher Newport University was 81.24% in 2025, a clear indication of the excellence and value of the educational experience at this school.
Another important metric to consider is the graduation rate. This rate indicates how many students finish their degrees within a certain timeframe. This academic institution has the six-year graduation rate of 72%, which is considered an above-average graduation rate.
Student Body
Figuring out which school is the right fit for you is not a task you should take lightly. You can have a better understanding of the school's culture and way of life by finding out more about the student body.
Main Student Body
The total number of students enrolled at Christopher Newport University in 2025 was 4,454.
That year, the institution had 7% of out-of-state students. The total number of undergraduate students enrolled at the school was 4,369, 16 of which were international students. The school admitted a total of 187 transfer students.
Student Population Gender Ratio
With a coeducational student body, the school had 2,067 male and 2,287 female full-time students in 2025. 33 full-time graduate men and 52 full-time graduate women attended this school.
Student Population Diversity
The importance of student diversity cannnot be denied, when it comes to the overall feeling of inclusion and beloning among the students of any school. Diversity promotes critical thinking, challenges preconceived notions, and encourages intellectual growth, so it helps students develop empathy and a broader understanding of the world. Find out more about different ethnic groups you can meet at Christopher Newport University.
In 2025, out of the total number of students enrolled at the institution, the number of students of Asian origin was 177, and the number of Afro-American students was 400. 400 students at this school declared as Hispanic/Latino and 263 identified with more than one race. The school also had 2 students who declared as Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander, as well as 5 American Indian or Alaska Native students. There were also 134 students whose ethnicity is unknown.
Cost
One of the most crucial things to take into account when applying to any college or university is the financial component. Here are some details you should know about the expenses at Christopher Newport University that the majority of students face.
Tuition and Fees
If you were wondering how much the tuition cost for Christopher Newport University is, here are some recent data that will come in handy.
According to the reports from public county and municipal institutions, tuition fees were $10,417 for area residents. For out-of-state students, tuition fees amounted to $31,440. For the students coming from abroad, tuition at this school was $31,440, as well. Full-time students in 2025 were obliged to pay additional fees in the amount of $6,802.
| Category | Tuition | Fees | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Out-of-State | $31,440 | $6,802 | $38,242 |
| In-State | $10,417 | $6,802 | $17,219 |
Books and Supplies
Another important expense to take into consideration is the estimated price of books and supplies for a college or university. The cost of books and supplies for full-time students of this school is estimated at about $1,604.
Boarding
Besides tuition, another cost to consider is the price of housing in the dorms and eating at the school cafeteria. What is the typical amount colleges and universities charge for room and board?
In 2025, room and board cost at Christopher Newport University amounted to $14,132 a year. Room-only (on campus) cost per academic year at this school reached $8,776, according to the data from 2025. The estimated expense of room-only (on campus) for commuters not living at home was $9,310.
| Expense Category | Amount |
|---|---|
| Tuition | $ 10,417 |
| Room and Board | $ 14,132 |
| Book and Supplies | $ 1,604 |
| Total Expense | $ 26,153 |
Financial Aid
Obtaining some financial aid in forms of grants, loans, scholarships or work-study programs can be crucial for finishing your studies. Check out some recent data to get the info about need-based and non-need-based monetary aid students could get at Christopher Newport University.
The most recent figures show that financial help was given to 494 freshmen. The average amount of financial aid given to students was $14,392.
Need-based
If you need help with paying for your studies and you meet certain eligibility requirements, you may be eligible for need-based aid.
There were 1,225 students who received need-based financial aid of any kind. The overall number of students (including freshmen) who were determined to have financial need was found to be 1,598. The amount of federal need-based scholarships/grants awarded to the students at this institution added up to $5,359,989, and state $7,597,106. The students of Christopher Newport University received the -institutional need-based aid in the amount of $1,430,371, and external in the amount of $28,635.
$4,342
Average Amount of Aid Received
Non-Need Based
Non-need-based financial aid is any type of financial aid provided to a student who does not meet the criteria for need-based aid. Non-need-based student aid typicaly comes in a form of Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loans, Graduate PLUS Loans, Parent PLUS Loans, and the Teacher Education Access for College and Higher Education (TEACH) Grant.
624 students, including freshmen, were awarded institutional non-need-based financial aid at this school in 2025. Institutional help in the form of non-need-based scholarships or grants was given to 283 full-time freshmen. The total dollar amount of federal non-need-based scholarships/grants awarded to the studens at this school was $5,359,989 while the state aid is $71,846. The total amount of institutional scholarships and awards that were not based on financial need was $5,652,190. This includes endowment, alumni, other institutional awards, and also external funds awarded by the institution, but doesn't include athletic aid and tuition waivers. The amount the students of this school received from external sources (e.g. Kiwanis, National Merit) was $1,108,529 USD.
Open Applications
Find open programs by choosing your preferred academic interest from the list below, and select your desired term start. Get started with your application process and find more information using the Apply button.
Majors
Faculty
14:1
Student to Faculty Ratio
The student-to-faculty ratio can tell you a lot about the teaching resources a school provides for its students.
In 2025, this ratio at Christopher Newport University was 14:1. That means that there were 14 times more students than teachers at this school. The total number of faculty teaching at the institution is 426. Out of that number, there were 236 male and 190 female faculty members.
Student Population Diversity Graph
Campus Life
It is not all about learning and grades at Christopher Newport University: campus life is a crucial component of your educational experience. Find out some information about students' life at Christopher Newport University.
It has a campus size of 260 acres.
Student Organizations
Exploring a variety of student organizations can contribute to a more vibrant and rewarding educational experience.
Based on the most up-to-date information available, there are 141 open-membership organizations at Christopher Newport University. That includes sororities and fraternities. 19 percent of male and 21.9 of female students participate actively in different organizations at Christopher Newport University. The student organization that is most favored by students is Art Club, followed by Captain's Emergency Response Organization and CNU Barbell Club. Other popular student organizations at this school are Food Fighters and Serve the City.
If you are interested in music, you can join the Christopher Newport University band or chorus. For students with a talent for acting, there is a drama club. For students interested in media and communication, Christopher Newport University publishes its own newspaper and has its own radio station.
Student Services
At Christopher Newport University, there are many amenities that make life on campus comfortable and safe.
The dormitory entrances are electronically operated. There is a 24-hour security patrol. The transport/escort service operates during late hours.
There is a medical clinic with personal/psychological counseling. In addition, other services like Veteran's Affairs are available to the students of Christopher Newport University.
All in all, campus life at Christopher Newport University is rich and vibrant and provides everything most students need.
Career Services
Having career services at a college or university can mean a great deal for your career planning, so find out what you can expect at Christopher Newport University.
Career Counselling
At Christopher Newport University, there is both group career counseling for all students and individual career counseling for all students. There are a job bank and job fairs. Job interviews are also available to students through the career center. The career center offers resume preparation and resume referral to employers. The school has campus employer recruitment for all the students. This school offers alumni networking opportunities, which could be highly beneficial for your future career. Individual job placement is available to full-time undergraduates only at this school.
FAQ
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Christopher Newport University is located in Newport News, VA.
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This school uses standardized test scores for admission.
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According to the latest information, the acceptance rate for Christopher Newport University is 86%.
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The most recent reported freshman retention rate for Christopher Newport University is 81.24%.
Contact Information
Christopher Newport University
1 Avenue of the Arts
Newport News , VA
23606-3072
757 594-7000
Data Source: IPEDS and Peterson's Databases © 2023 Peterson's LLC All rights reserved. Portions of this content were co-written with OpenAI's GPT-3.5 model.
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Data Source: IPEDS and Peterson's Databases © 2023 Peterson's LLC All rights reserved.
Portions of this content were co-written with OpenAI's GPT-3.5 model.
