Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State 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
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University holds a 25-point ROI advantage over Christopher Newport University, scoring 89/100 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 $24,953 at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University - a difference of $1,938 annually, or roughly $7,752 over four years.
Ten years after enrollment, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University graduates earn a median of $81,698 compared to $60,509 at Christopher Newport University. The payback period is 5.1 years at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University versus 9.1 years at Christopher Newport University.
Graduates leave Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University with a median $21,500 in debt versus $25,000 at Christopher Newport University. The debt-to-earnings ratios are 0.43 and 0.64 respectively - financial advisors generally recommend staying below 1.0.
Head-to-Head Numbers
| Metric | Virginia Polytechnic Inst... | Christopher Newport Unive... |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | ||
| In-State Tuition | $15,948 | $16,828 |
| Out-of-State Tuition | $37,764 | $31,178 |
| Net Price (avg) | $24,953 | $23,015 |
| Total 4-Year Cost | $99,812 | $92,060 |
| Outcomes | ||
| Median Earnings (6yr) | $50,400 | $39,300 |
| Median Earnings (10yr) | $81,698 | $60,509 |
| Graduation Rate | 86.2% | 71.6% |
| Payback Period | 5.1 yr | 9.1 yr |
| Debt | ||
| Median Debt | $21,500 | $25,000 |
| Monthly Payment | $228 | $265 |
| Debt-to-Earnings | 0.43 | 0.64 |
| 3yr Repayment Rate | 85.9% | 83.3% |
| 5yr Repayment Rate | 83.5% | 82.6% |
| Admissions | ||
| Acceptance Rate | 54.8% | 86.0% |
| Enrollment | 30,923 | 4,365 |
| SAT Range | 1280-1450 | 1060-1290 |
Net Price by Family Income
Average annual net price after grants and scholarships, by household income bracket.
| Family Income | Virginia Polytechnic... | Christopher Newport ... |
|---|---|---|
| $0-$30,000 | $11,689 | $12,461 |
| $30,001-$48,000 | $11,670 | $12,752 |
| $48,001-$75,000 | $17,894 | $14,163 |
| $75,001-$110,000 | $25,835 | $22,776 |
| $110,001+ | $34,201 | $30,584 |
Earnings by Major - Head to Head
Median earnings for majors offered at both schools. Green highlights the higher figure.
| Major | Virginia Polytechnic... | Christopher Newport ... |
|---|---|---|
| Economics | $92,653 | $75,365 |
| Business Administration, Management, and Operations | $80,023 | $81,840 |
| International Relations | $75,687 | $65,241 |
| Chemistry | $73,395 | $66,171 |
| Linguistic and Comparative Language Studies | $68,263 | $53,564 |
| Communication and Media Studies | $66,106 | $57,254 |
| English Language and Literature | $64,225 | $55,379 |
| Music | $48,028 | $63,852 |
| Sociology | $63,654 | $55,057 |
| Biology | $61,703 | $55,657 |
| History | $59,819 | $52,458 |
| Psychology | $56,365 | $53,600 |
ROI Sub-Score Breakdown
| Component | Virginia Polytechnic... | Christopher Newport ... |
|---|---|---|
| Earnings Premium (30%) | 88 | 61 |
| Payback Period (25%) | 93 | 67 |
| Debt / Earnings (20%) | 84 | 43 |
| Completion Rate (15%) | 94 | 81 |
| Repayment Rate (10%) | 88 | 80 |
| Overall ROI Score | 89 | 64 |
The Verdict
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University significantly outperforms Christopher Newport University on financial ROI (89 vs 64). The 25-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 Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University.
Want to personalize these numbers?
The ROI calculator lets you plug in your financial aid, intended major, and living situation for a tailored comparison.
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State 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.