Virginia Commonwealth 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
Christopher Newport University holds a 9-point ROI advantage over Virginia Commonwealth University, scoring 64/100 versus 55/100. 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 $23,433 at Virginia Commonwealth University - a difference of $418 annually, or roughly $1,672 over four years.
Ten years after enrollment, Christopher Newport University graduates earn a median of $60,509 compared to $58,128 at Virginia Commonwealth University. The payback period is 10.1 years at Virginia Commonwealth University versus 9.1 years at Christopher Newport University.
Graduates leave Virginia Commonwealth University with a median $21,500 in debt versus $25,000 at Christopher Newport University. The debt-to-earnings ratios are 0.57 and 0.64 respectively - financial advisors generally recommend staying below 1.0.
Head-to-Head Numbers
| Metric | Virginia Commonwealth Uni... | Christopher Newport Unive... |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | ||
| In-State Tuition | $16,945 | $16,828 |
| Out-of-State Tuition | $40,109 | $31,178 |
| Net Price (avg) | $23,433 | $23,015 |
| Total 4-Year Cost | $93,732 | $92,060 |
| Outcomes | ||
| Median Earnings (6yr) | $37,500 | $39,300 |
| Median Earnings (10yr) | $58,128 | $60,509 |
| Graduation Rate | 63.2% | 71.6% |
| Payback Period | 10.1 yr | 9.1 yr |
| Debt | ||
| Median Debt | $21,500 | $25,000 |
| Monthly Payment | $228 | $265 |
| Debt-to-Earnings | 0.57 | 0.64 |
| 3yr Repayment Rate | 64.7% | 83.3% |
| 5yr Repayment Rate | 61.3% | 82.6% |
| Admissions | ||
| Acceptance Rate | 92.6% | 86.0% |
| Enrollment | 20,753 | 4,365 |
| SAT Range | 1010-1270 | 1060-1290 |
Net Price by Family Income
Average annual net price after grants and scholarships, by household income bracket.
| Family Income | Virginia Commonwealt... | Christopher Newport ... |
|---|---|---|
| $0-$30,000 | $17,512 | $12,461 |
| $30,001-$48,000 | $17,777 | $12,752 |
| $48,001-$75,000 | $20,925 | $14,163 |
| $75,001-$110,000 | $24,691 | $22,776 |
| $110,001+ | $32,739 | $30,584 |
Earnings by Major - Head to Head
Median earnings for majors offered at both schools. Green highlights the higher figure.
| Major | Virginia Commonwealt... | Christopher Newport ... |
|---|---|---|
| Information Science | $87,219 | $88,842 |
| Chemistry | $67,439 | $66,171 |
| International Relations | $62,182 | $65,241 |
| Music | $38,278 | $63,852 |
| Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other | $55,855 | $62,828 |
| Communication and Media Studies | $59,968 | $57,254 |
| Biology | $58,420 | $55,657 |
| English Language and Literature | $45,844 | $55,379 |
| Social Work | $55,288 | $48,212 |
| Sociology | $53,122 | $55,057 |
| Psychology | $51,440 | $53,600 |
| Linguistic and Comparative Language Studies | $45,607 | $53,564 |
| History | $53,186 | $52,458 |
ROI Sub-Score Breakdown
| Component | Virginia Commonwealt... | Christopher Newport ... |
|---|---|---|
| Earnings Premium (30%) | 54 | 61 |
| Payback Period (25%) | 61 | 67 |
| Debt / Earnings (20%) | 58 | 43 |
| Completion Rate (15%) | 65 | 81 |
| Repayment Rate (10%) | 26 | 80 |
| Overall ROI Score | 55 | 64 |
The Verdict
Christopher Newport University has a meaningfully higher ROI score (64 vs 55). Graduates earn more relative to cost, and the financial return is somewhat stronger. That said, if Virginia Commonwealth University offers a significantly better program in your intended major, it could still be the better financial choice for you specifically.
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Virginia Commonwealth University
Below Average 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.