James Madison University vs Christopher Newport University
Side-by-side ROI comparison using U.S. Department of Education data. Which school delivers a better financial return?
ROI Score Comparison
The Financial Comparison
James Madison University holds a 20-point ROI advantage over Christopher Newport University, scoring 84/100 versus 64/100. That gap reflects meaningful differences in how costs, earnings, and debt stack up for graduates of each institution.
On cost, Christopher Newport University comes in at $23,015 per year (net price after aid) versus $23,322 at James Madison University - a difference of $307 annually, or roughly $1,228 over four years.
Ten years after enrollment, James Madison University graduates earn a median of $69,954 compared to $60,509 at Christopher Newport University. The payback period is 6.7 years at James Madison University versus 9.1 years at Christopher Newport University.
Graduates leave James Madison University with a median $20,093 in debt versus $25,000 at Christopher Newport University. The debt-to-earnings ratios are 0.44 and 0.64 respectively - financial advisors generally recommend staying below 1.0.
Head-to-Head Numbers
| Metric | James Madison University | Christopher Newport Unive... |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | ||
| In-State Tuition | $14,250 | $16,828 |
| Out-of-State Tuition | $31,604 | $31,178 |
| Net Price (avg) | $23,322 | $23,015 |
| Total 4-Year Cost | $93,288 | $92,060 |
| Outcomes | ||
| Median Earnings (6yr) | $46,100 | $39,300 |
| Median Earnings (10yr) | $69,954 | $60,509 |
| Graduation Rate | 79.7% | 71.6% |
| Payback Period | 6.7 yr | 9.1 yr |
| Debt | ||
| Median Debt | $20,093 | $25,000 |
| Monthly Payment | $213 | $265 |
| Debt-to-Earnings | 0.44 | 0.64 |
| 3yr Repayment Rate | 87.1% | 83.3% |
| 5yr Repayment Rate | 88.1% | 82.6% |
| Admissions | ||
| Acceptance Rate | 71.5% | 86.0% |
| Enrollment | 20,888 | 4,365 |
| SAT Range | 1170-1340 | 1060-1290 |
Net Price by Family Income
Average annual net price after grants and scholarships, by household income bracket.
| Family Income | James Madison Univer... | Christopher Newport ... |
|---|---|---|
| $0-$30,000 | $11,444 | $12,461 |
| $30,001-$48,000 | $12,977 | $12,752 |
| $48,001-$75,000 | $16,475 | $14,163 |
| $75,001-$110,000 | $22,343 | $22,776 |
| $110,001+ | $30,147 | $30,584 |
Earnings by Major - Head to Head
Median earnings for majors offered at both schools. Green highlights the higher figure.
| Major | James Madison Univer... | Christopher Newport ... |
|---|---|---|
| Information Science | $113,345 | $88,842 |
| Economics | $86,681 | $75,365 |
| Business Administration, Management, and Operations | $85,137 | $81,840 |
| Chemistry | $74,631 | $66,171 |
| International Relations | $73,326 | $65,241 |
| Communication and Media Studies | $66,436 | $57,254 |
| Music | $51,882 | $63,852 |
| Biology | $62,914 | $55,657 |
| Linguistic and Comparative Language Studies | $62,366 | $53,564 |
| English Language and Literature | $57,487 | $55,379 |
| Psychology | $56,212 | $53,600 |
| History | $55,782 | $52,458 |
| Sociology | $48,774 | $55,057 |
| Social Work | $52,991 | $48,212 |
ROI Sub-Score Breakdown
| Component | James Madison Univer... | Christopher Newport ... |
|---|---|---|
| Earnings Premium (30%) | 79 | 61 |
| Payback Period (25%) | 85 | 67 |
| Debt / Earnings (20%) | 83 | 43 |
| Completion Rate (15%) | 89 | 81 |
| Repayment Rate (10%) | 90 | 80 |
| Overall ROI Score | 84 | 64 |
The Verdict
James Madison University significantly outperforms Christopher Newport University on financial ROI (84 vs 64). The 20-point gap reflects meaningfully better outcomes in earnings relative to cost. Unless Christopher Newport University offers something compelling for your specific situation - a top program in your major, a full scholarship, or non-financial factors that matter to you - the data favors James Madison University.
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James Madison University
Strong Value - Full profile and breakdown
Christopher Newport University
Fair Value - Full profile and breakdown
Data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, as of 2024-2025. Earnings are measured 6 and 10 years after enrollment. Net prices reflect average aid for first-time, full-time students.See full methodology.