Christopher Newport vs Clemson University
Christopher Newport University (CNU) and Clemson University are two distinct institutions of higher learning that offer unique educational experiences. CNU, a public liberal arts university located in Newport News, Virginia, boasts a smaller student body and a focus on undergraduate education. In contrast, Clemson University, a public research university in Clemson, South Carolina, has a larger student population and offers a wider range of graduate programs. While both universities offer strong academic programs, CNU has a higher acceptance rate and a more diverse student body, while Clemson has a higher graduation rate and more popular majors in engineering, business, and agriculture. Explore the detailed comparison table below to discover which university better aligns with your academic aspirations and personal preferences.
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![]() Christopher Newport University |
![]() Clemson University |
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Overview |
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Location | Newport News, Virginia | Clemson, South Carolina |
Campus setting | City: Midsize | Suburb: Large |
College type | 4 year | 4 year |
Control/business model | Public | Public |
Calendar system | Semester | Semester |
Degrees offered | Undergraduate and Graduate | Undergraduate and Graduate |
Students retention rate | 85.0% | 94.0% |
![]() |
Yes | Yes |
Religious affiliation | ||
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Admission |
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Acceptance rate | 88.5% | 49.2% |
Application fees |
Undergraduate:
$65
Graduate:
$65
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Undergraduate:
$70
Graduate:
$80
|
SAT range | 1110 - 1320 | 1220 - 1420 |
ACT range | 25 - 29 | 27 - 32 |
Students submitting SAT score | 36.0% | 40.0% |
Students submitting ACT score | 2.0% | 30.0% |
Total number of applicants | 6,699 | 47,007 |
Total number of admissions given out | 5,931 | 23,138 |
Admitted students who chose to enroll | 1,012 | 4,593 |
Yield rate | 17.1% | 19.9% |
Test scores (SAT/ACT) | N/A | N/A |
High school GPA | Required | Required |
Recommendation letters | Not required | Not required |
High school transcript | Not required | Not required |
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL) | Not required | Required |
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Tuition and Fees |
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Sticker price |
In state:
$33,016
Out of state:
$45,882
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In state:
$34,164
Out of state:
$57,156
|
Average net price | $24,059 | $23,732 |
Tuition |
In state:
$9,100
Out of state:
$21,566
|
In state:
$14,118
Out of state:
$37,110
|
Room & board |
Room/dormitory:
$7,238
Meal plan:
$4,522
|
Room/dormitory:
$7,808
Meal plan:
$4,426
|
Available payment plans |
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Financial Aid |
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Students receiving financial aid
(Grants & scholarships) |
65.0%
Average amount $7,294 |
81.0%
Average amount $9,699 |
Students receiving federal student loan |
42.0%
Average amount $5,122 |
41.0%
Average amount $5,281 |
Students taking out private loans |
9.0%
Average amount $18,379 |
9.0%
Average amount $21,664 |
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Students and Campus |
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Undergraduate students |
4,472
Men 45.5% Women 54.5% |
21,653
Men 48.8% Women 51.2% |
Graduate students |
112
Men 40.2% Women 59.8% |
5,688
Men 46.8% Women 53.2% |
Racial/ethnic diversity |
Low
|
Low
|
Out-of-state students | 6.7% | 48.4% |
International students | 0.3% | 4.8% |
Campus local/setting | City: Midsize | Suburb: Large |
Dormitory capacity | 3,812 | 7,800 |
First year students are required to live on campus? | No | No |
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from | Virginia Maryland New Jersey New York North Carolina | South Carolina North Carolina Georgia New Jersey New York |
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Academics |
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Popular study areas |
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Students to faculty ratio | 13:1 | 16:1 |
Institutional accreditation | Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges | Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges |
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Outcome |
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Graduation rate | 74.7% | 85.5% |
Dropout rate | 24.7% | 2.3% |
Transferred out | N/A | 11.3% |
Alumni salary by major (Top 10) |
Computer Science (Bachelor's Degrees)
Computer Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Bachelor's Degrees)
Economics (Bachelor's Degrees)
Political Science and Government (Bachelor's Degrees)
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods (Master's Degrees)
Communication and Media Studies (Bachelor's Degrees)
Chemistry (Bachelor's Degrees)
History (Bachelor's Degrees)
Psychology, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
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Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Master's Degrees)
Computer and Information Sciences, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees)
Chemical Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
Industrial Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
Public Administration (Master's Degrees)
Computer Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
Mechanical Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
Engineering-Related Fields (Bachelor's Degrees)
Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
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