Christopher Newport University
Christopher Newport University — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Christopher Newport University at a Glance
Christopher Newport University (CNU) is a public university in Newport News, Virginia, United States. It was founded in 1960 as Christopher Newport College, an extension school of the College of William and Mary for mid-career working professionals, members of the military, and non-traditional students in and around the Newport News area of the Hampton Roads region. The university has since expanded into a residential college for traditional students.
1960
66 years old
$57M
$57.2 million (2025)
4,454
4,369 undergrad · 85 grad
283
260 acres
Identity
Is Christopher Newport University Worth It?
Christopher Newport University offers moderate value at $23,015/year net price. Graduates earn a median of $60,509, which is near the national average. Students should research specific program outcomes before committing.
The investment pays for itself in just 1.5 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
The 73% graduation rate means roughly 27% of students leave without a degree — taking on debt without the earnings boost that completion brings.
How Christopher Newport University compares to peer public colleges of similar tier nationally
Ranked #26 of 93 on value score. Peers are matched by size, median earnings, SAT, and admission rate — not just geography.
| Rank | College | Value | Net price / yr | Median earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Brazosport College | 100 | $4,732 | $45,910 |
| #2 | Bates Technical College | 86 | $6,292 | $50,051 |
| #3 | University of Illinois Springfield | 83 | $9,833 | $57,103 |
| #4 | California State University-Channel Islands | 83 | $9,849 | $62,152 |
| #5 | Sonoma State University | 76 | $12,885 | $65,986 |
| #6 | Renton Technical College | 76 | $8,296 | $49,782 |
| #26 | Christopher Newport University | 48 | $23,015 | $60,509 |
Peer group: public colleges within ±60% of Christopher Newport University's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 1 in VA.
Best Programs at Christopher Newport University
The highest-earning program at Christopher Newport University is Computer Science at $60,600/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Visual and Performing Arts, General at $21,700/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Computer Science graduate from Christopher Newport University earns $60,600, while a Visual and Performing Arts, General graduate earns $21,700. That's more than a 2× difference from the same institution. Choose your program carefully — it's the single biggest lever you control.
Debt also varies by program: Computer Science graduates carry $26,270 in median debt vs. $23,625 for Visual and Performing Arts, General.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $23,015/yr net price × 4 years
Earnings Premium
vs. national average of $53,787/yr
Payback Period
Time to recoup the total cost through higher earnings
10-Year Net Gain
Median earnings over 10 years minus total cost of attendance
Programs & Earnings by Major
Graduate earnings data by field of study (4 years after graduation):
| Major | Earnings (4yr) | Earnings (1yr) | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Computer Science | $60,600 | $60,600 | $26,270 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $42,200 | $42,200 | $25,030 |
| Economics | $40,600 | $40,600 | $25,000 |
| History | $36,000 | $36,000 | $26,000 |
| Communication and Media Studies | $35,500 | $35,500 | $25,000 |
| Linguistic, Comparative, and Related Language Studies and Services | $33,800 | $33,800 | $26,546 |
| Psychology, General | $31,100 | $31,100 | $25,490 |
| Political Science and Government | $30,900 | $30,900 | $26,000 |
| English Language and Literature, General | $30,600 | $30,600 | $24,197 |
| Sociology | $30,600 | $30,600 | $23,175 |
| Chemistry | $27,600 | $27,600 | $26,000 |
| Biology, General | $27,300 | $27,300 | $25,250 |
| Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other | $27,000 | $27,000 | $26,970 |
| Visual and Performing Arts, General | $21,700 | $21,700 | $23,625 |
Similar Colleges in VA
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- public
- Location
- Newport News, VA
- Student Body
- 4,365 students
- Admission Rate
- 86%
- Graduation Rate
- 73%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $23,015
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $60,509
- Median Student Debt
- $25,000