Overview
Christopher Newport University is a public university established in 1960. As of fall 2023, it has 4,407 undergraduate students. The campus spans 260 acres in an urban setting, and the university follows a semester-based academic calendar. In the 2025 Best Colleges rankings, Christopher Newport holds the #6 spot among Regional Universities in the South. For in-state students, tuition and fees are $16,828, while out-of-state students pay $30,778.
At-a-Glance
- Setting: Urban
- In-state tuition & fees: $16,828
- Undergraduate enrollment: 4,407
- Acceptance rate: 88%
Christopher Newport University Rankings
Here’s how the university stacks up in various categories:
- #6 in Regional Universities South
- #3 in Top Public Schools
- #52 in Best Value Schools
- #205 in Best Undergraduate Engineering Programs (tie)
- #277 in Economics (tie)
- #4 in Best Colleges for Veterans
- #8 in Best Undergraduate Teaching (tie)
- #106 in Top Performers on Social Mobility (tie)
Christopher Newport ranks #6 out of 135 Regional Universities South. These rankings are based on widely accepted measures of academic excellence.
U.S. News Overall Score
- Score (out of 100): 90
- Graduation rates:
- Average 6-year graduation rate: 77%
- Pell Grant recipients: 71%
- Non-Pell Grant recipients: 76%
Admissions
Christopher Newport has an 88% acceptance rate, with an early acceptance rate of 92.9%. Half of admitted students who submitted test scores had an SAT between 1100-1300 or an ACT between 23-29. A quarter scored above these ranges, and a quarter scored below. The application deadline is February 1.
Admissions officers weigh GPA very heavily, along with high school class rank (if available) and recommendation letters.
Admissions Stats
- Application deadline: Feb. 1
- Application fee: $65
- Acceptance rate: 88%
Tuition & Financial Aid
- In-state tuition & fees: $16,828
- Out-of-state tuition & fees: $30,778
- Total cost (including housing, books, etc.):
- In-state: $34,523
- Out-of-state: $48,760
- Average net price after aid:
- In-state: $22,582
- Out-of-state (need-based aid recipients): $42,360
Net Price by Family Income (2021-2022)
| Family Income | Average Cost |
|---|---|
| $0-$30,000 | $10,562 |
| $30,001-$48,000 | $13,690 |
| $48,001-$75,000 | $17,026 |
| $75,001-$110,000 | $24,805 |
| $110,001+ | $28,609 |
- Food & Housing: $12,460
Academics
- Student-faculty ratio: 13:1
- Small class sizes: 55.9% of classes have fewer than 20 students
- Freshman retention rate: 85% (indicator of student satisfaction)
Most Popular Majors (2023 Graduates)
- Business, Management, Marketing & Related Support Services – 16%
- Biological & Biomedical Sciences – 14%
- Psychology – 13%
- Social Sciences-12%
Student Life at Christopher Newport University
Christopher Newport University has an undergraduate enrollment of 4,407 students (fall 2023), with a nearly even gender split—47.8% male students and 52.2% female students. Most students (82%) live in university housing, whether it’s owned, operated, or affiliated with the school, while the remaining 18% live off-campus. When it comes to sports, the university competes in NCAA Division III.
Quick Student Life Stats
- Total enrollment: 4,503 (fall 2023)
- On-campus living: 82%
- Athletic association: NCAA III
Student Body Breakdown
- Total enrollment: 4,503 (fall 2023)
- Undergraduate students: 4,407 (fall 2023)
- Graduate students: 96 (fall 2023)
- Pell Grant recipients (2022-2023): 16%
Gender Distribution (Degree-Seeking Students)
- Women: 52%
- Men: 48%
- Veterans or active service members: 0.5%
Campus Life & Services
The university provides a range of student support, including tutoring (non-developmental) and health services. For safety, they offer 24/7 foot and vehicle patrols, late-night transport/escort options, well-lit pathways, and secure dorm access (via key cards, security cards, etc.). Even students of legal drinking age aren’t allowed to consume alcohol on campus.