Percentile rankings vs 1,600+ peer institutions. Higher is better.
Career OutcomesAzimuth ranks Christopher Newport University #935 for overall value on Azimuth's composite among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn about $12,086 less than similar students at comparable institutions, placing Christopher Newport University in the 16.3 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. Azimuth ranks Christopher Newport University #882 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions.
Azimuth ranks Christopher Newport University #935 for overall value on Azimuth's composite among nonprofit four-year institutions. A public master's university in Newport News, Virginia, Christopher Newport University enrolls roughly 4,365 undergraduates. Retention stands at 81.2% and the six-year graduation rate is 71.6%, reflecting solid student persistence through degree completion. Christopher Newport University performs strongest on return on investment. Azimuth ranks Christopher Newport University #882 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn median 4-year earnings of $62,140, and earn about $12,086 less than similar students at comparable institutions, placing Christopher Newport University in the 16.3 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. This performance reflects the university's strength in Business and related fields that connect directly to regional employment opportunities. Access and affordability round out the composite profile. Christopher Newport University enrolls 16.1% Pell-eligible students and 18.1% first-generation undergraduates, positioning the institution as a broad-access public option. Azimuth ranks Christopher Newport University in the 18.8 percentile for access and the 27.0 percentile for affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions. For students prioritizing strong earnings outcomes and manageable debt relative to post-graduation income, Christopher Newport University delivers a compelling value proposition anchored in its return-on-investment strength.
Christopher Newport University's published cost of attendance is $33,766. Net price by income band reflects the institution's public tuition structure and need-based aid reach: low-income families pay approximately $12,461, middle-income families pay around $14,163, and higher-income families pay approximately $30,584. Azimuth ranks Christopher Newport University #1041 for post-graduation affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions. Net prices by income band are medians within those bands; individual aid packages vary, so some families in each band pay more and some less than the figures shown. Christopher Newport's financial aid structure combines federal (Pell Grants, Direct Loans), state, and institutional aid programs to close the gap between sticker price and what families actually pay. The institution participates in standard federal aid programs and works with families to build aid packages through the FAFSA process. For families evaluating affordability, the difference between the published cost of attendance and the net price they actually pay is substantial — a pattern worth understanding as you compare institutions. Median federal student loan debt at graduation is $25,000, and families using Parent PLUS borrow a median of $44,122; private or institutional loans may add further borrowing that falls outside these federal-only figures — see the Parent PLUS risk framework for how household context shapes PLUS decisions. For a graduate at the institution's median four-year earnings of $62,140, median federal debt of $25,000 projects to a monthly payment of about $282 under standard ten-year repayment. For personalized projections across earnings scenarios — including Parent PLUS planning — use Azimuth's Financial GPS tool.
Christopher Newport University is a strong fit for students interested in business, social sciences, and applied fields who want a public university experience in VA. Graduates earn median earnings four years after enrollment of $62,140, placing Christopher Newport University in the 52.1 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn about $12,086 less than similar students at comparable institutions, placing the institution in the 16.3 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. The university enrolls a meaningful share of Pell-eligible and first-generation students — 16.1% of undergraduates receive Pell Grants and 18.1% are first-generation — and delivers completion rates that place Christopher Newport University in the 72.4% percentile for Pell completion among nonprofit four-year institutions. With an admit rate of 86.0%, Christopher Newport University offers accessible pathways for students whose interests align with its program strengths, particularly in Business which represents 17% of degrees awarded.
This school profile was generated using Azimuth's proprietary ROI framework, developed by founder Daniel Rogers. Our methodology transforms federal education data into actionable insights for families.
College Azimuth is a private research initiative and is not affiliated with the U.S. Department of Education or Federal Student Aid. Data sourced from College Scorecard.
This content is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial, investment, or professional advice. Consult a qualified advisor before making any financial decisions.
Comprehensive Analysis
Detailed metrics, charts, and full data breakdown
Financial GPS Tool
Personalized cost and earnings calculator
This is the Christopher Newport University hub overview page. Related admissions, cost, outcomes, majors, and similar-school pages provide the detailed school data.
Based on federal data for students receiving aid. Actual costs may vary.
Christopher Newport University's published cost of attendance is $33,766. Net price by income band reflects the institution's public tuition structure and need-based aid reach: low-income families pay approximately $12,461, middle-income families pay around $14,163, and higher-income families pay approximately $30,584.
Azimuth ranks Christopher Newport University #1041 for post-graduation affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions. Net prices by income band are medians within those bands; individual aid packages vary, so some families in each band pay more and some less than the figures shown.
Christopher Newport's financial aid structure combines federal (Pell Grants, Direct Loans), state, and institutional aid programs to close the gap between sticker price and what families actually pay. The institution participates in standard federal aid programs and works with families to build aid packages through the FAFSA process.
For families evaluating affordability, the difference between the published cost of attendance and the net price they actually pay is substantial — a pattern worth understanding as you compare institutions. Median federal student loan debt at graduation is $25,000, and families using Parent PLUS borrow a median of $44,122; private or institutional loans may add further borrowing that falls outside these federal-only figures — see the [Parent PLUS risk framework](/analysis/ou-what-happens-when-parents-borrow-too/) for how household context shapes PLUS decisions.
For a graduate at the institution's median four-year earnings of $62,140, median federal debt of $25,000 projects to a monthly payment of about $282 under standard ten-year repayment. For personalized projections across earnings scenarios — including Parent PLUS planning — use [Azimuth's Financial GPS tool](/analysis/financial-gps-framework/).
Graduates of Christopher Newport University earn median 4-year earnings of $62,140, placing Christopher Newport University in the 52.1 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn about $12,086 less than similar students at comparable institutions, placing Christopher Newport University in the 16.3 percentile for [earnings beyond expectations](/analysis/a-value-added-approach-to-college-outcomes/) among nonprofit four-year institutions.
Azimuth ranks Christopher Newport University #882 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions. These outcomes reflect a career-focused institutional mission anchored in business and professional fields that connect directly to regional and national labor markets.
The earnings pattern centers on business and applied professional programs. Business Administration is the largest program with 194 graduates earning median 4-year earnings of $81,840, performing at 1.2x the national benchmark for the field.
The Psychology, General program graduates 146 students earning $53,600, and Biology, General contributes 127 graduates at $55,657. Together, these programs form the economic core of the institution, with Business representing the dominant degree concentration.
The combination of program scale and consistent earnings outcomes across the business and professional cluster supports Christopher Newport University's competitive return profile among nonprofit four-year institutions.
Peer institutions with comparable quality and outcomes:
| School | State | Accept Rate | Median Earnings | Rank | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Concord University Similar quality tier in Southeast (#28138 ranked) | WV | 93% | $42,703 | #28138 | Compare |
Plymouth State University Similar quality tier (#28135 ranked) | NH | 88% | $57,304 | #28135 | Compare |
Suny College Of Agriculture And Technology At Cobleskill Similar quality tier (#28153 ranked) | NY | 84% | $45,030 | #28153 | Compare |
Keene State College Similar quality tier (#27595 ranked) | NH | 90% | $54,368 | #27595 | Compare |
University Of South Carolina Beaufort Similar quality tier in Southeast (#27072 ranked) | SC | 73% | $48,088 | #27072 | Compare |
Computer Science
50 graduates
Information Science/Studies
30 graduates
Business Administration, Management and Operations
194 graduates
Economics
34 graduates
Chemistry
24 graduates
Christopher Newport University's program mix is anchored in business, engineering, and professional fields — a portfolio aligned with the institution's regional mission as a public comprehensive university. Business Administration is the largest program with 194 graduates annually, followed by Psychology, General, Biology, General, Communication and Media Studies, and Political Science.
Across 0 ranked programs serving roughly 1,144 students annually, several deliver strong four-year earnings outcomes aligned with regional employer demand. The earnings pattern reflects strength in applied professional fields.
Computer Science leads with median earnings of $101,900 four years after enrollment, followed by Business Administration at $81,840, Political Science at $65,241, Interdisciplinary Studies at $62,828, and Communication and Media Studies at $57,254. The concentration of Business graduates — representing 17% of degrees — combined with meaningful enrollment in Social Sciences (14%) and Arts (5%), positions the university to serve students seeking direct workforce entry in stable, in-demand fields.
Many of Christopher Newport University's strongest programs are high-mobility pathways where graduates enter regional and national labor markets directly — particularly in business, engineering, and accounting fields. The [supply and demand for college graduates](/analysis/supply-demand-map-college-degrees/) provides context for how these program families align with current labor-market demand and wage trends in the Hampton Roads region and beyond.
