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Christopher Newport University

#427 in US ranking Newport News, VA
Type:
Public
Programs:
4 years or more

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Cost

Cost / year
$34,411
Tuition & fees
$17,219
Avg. aid
$10,626
Receiving aid
78%

Admissions

Acceptance rate
86%
SAT range
1060–1290
ACT range
25–30

Outcomes

Graduation rate
72%
Median salary
$43,402
1 yr after graduation

What does Christopher Newport University offer in terms of athletics?

Christopher Newport competes in NCAA Division III varsity athletics. Its primary conference affiliation is the Coast-to-Coast Athletic Conference, although a particular sport may compete under a different conference arrangement.

Varsity opportunities include sports such as basketball, baseball, football, field hockey, soccer, softball and volleyball. Team participation is distinct from club and recreational sports: varsity teams have formal competition and roster processes, while clubs and intramural activities can offer other ways to play. Students should check the current athletics and recreation listings for the specific sport and level they want.

Division III schools do not award athletic scholarships on the basis of athletic ability. A prospective varsity athlete may still qualify for academic or need-based aid under the university's ordinary aid rules.

What student groups and Associations are available at Christopher Newport University?

Christopher Newport has student organizations spanning service, academic interests, arts and recreation. Representative groups include Serve the City, Food Fighters, the Art Club and the CNU Barbell Club; organization status and meeting schedules can change between academic years.

Students may also encounter student government, performing groups and campus media, including a student newspaper and radio and television activities. The Captain's Emergency Response Organization is another example of a specialized student-interest group. An involvement fair can help newcomers identify organizations that are currently recruiting rather than relying on an older club list.

Recognized organizations are different from university offices or varsity teams. That distinction matters when students are looking for a leadership role, a casual activity or a service with professional staff and defined operating hours.

Who studies at Christopher Newport University?

Christopher Newport enrolled about 4,454 students in the reported institutional data, making it a smaller public university than many of Virginia's large research institutions. The reported entering first-year class contained 1,140 degree-seeking students.

The student body is predominantly from Virginia: about 92% of students were state residents, compared with about 5% from other U.S. states. Most enrolled students were ages 18-21. These figures suggest that applicants seeking a large older-adult or geographically dispersed student population should look closely at the particular program and cohort they would join.

Reported racial and ethnic counts included 2,968 White students, 400 Hispanic or Latino students, 400 Black students, 177 Asian students and 263 students identifying with two or more races. Categories and reporting periods can differ across datasets, so these counts should not be treated as a complete description of students' identities or experiences. The reported student-to-faculty ratio was 13 to 1; that institution-wide measure is not a class-size guarantee.

How does student life look like at Christopher Newport University?

Christopher Newport's student experience is strongly residential, though commuters are part of campus life. The reported figures place about 82% of students in on-campus housing and 18% in the commuting population.

For new students, orientation, first-year activities and campus events provide structured ways to meet classmates beyond coursework. Theater, music, campus media and recreational activities offer other points of entry. The university also reports a health clinic and personal or psychological counseling services; students should review current appointment, after-hours and eligibility procedures before they need care.

A residential schedule can make evening activities convenient, while commuters may need to plan around travel and parking. Neither figure determines how involved an individual student will be: course schedules, work and the accessibility of activities all affect the everyday experience.

What libraries are available to students at Christopher Newport University?

The Paul and Rosemary Trible Library is Christopher Newport's main campus library. It provides study space and academic resources for coursework and research, with reservable study rooms and extended-access study areas.

Students can use library staff for help finding sources, navigating databases and developing a research strategy. Online journals and other electronic materials are particularly useful when working away from the library; access conditions may depend on university credentials. Students who need material outside the local collection should check the library's interlibrary-loan procedures.

Hours for the building, staffed desks and particular study areas can differ, especially during breaks and exams. A 24-hour study-space option should not be taken to mean that every library service is staffed at all hours.

Christopher Newport University Student Life for 2027

Total enrollment

4454

Full Time Degree Seeking Freshmen

1139

Member of Athletic Associations

NCAA

Total staff

274 full time, 152 part time

Veterans affair office

Yes

Christopher Newport University Student Body

Undergraduate vs. graduate students

Undergraduate: 4,369
Graduate: 85

Full-time vs. part-time students

Full-time: 4,354
Part-time: 100

Full-time degree-seeking students by gender

Women: 605
Men: 534

Students by race/ethnicity

Hispanic or Latino: 400
Black or African American: 400
White: 2,968
American Indian or Alaska Native: 5
Asian: 177
Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander: 2
Two or more races: 263
Unknown: 134

Freshly enrolled students' age

Under 25 years
Over 25 years

Christopher Newport University Sports & Athletics

  • Member of NCAA

Varsity teams compete against other colleges, intramural teams within the school. Each column says whether men, women or both take part, and whether the sport offers athletic scholarships (Aid).

Sport

Varsity Intramural Aid

Baseball

MenMen–

Basketball

BothBoth–

Cheerleading

Both––

Crew

Both––

Cross-country running

BothBoth–

Equestrian sports

Both––

Field hockey

WomenWomen–

Football

MenMen–

Golf

BothBoth–

Gymnastics

Both––

Ice hockey

Men––

Lacrosse

BothBoth–

Rowing

Both––

Rugby

Both––

Sand volleyball

–Both–

Soccer

BothBoth–

Softball

WomenWomen–

Swimming and diving

Both––

Table tennis

Both––

Tennis

BothBoth–

Track and field

BothBoth–

Ultimate Frisbee

BothBoth–

Volleyball

WomenWomen–

Data last updated on November 5, 2026

Data sources: IPEDS 2024-25, Peterson 2026, College Scorecard 10/2026, Clery 2024 (2023-24), OpenAlex 2026

Figures on this profile come from federal and third-party datasets in the editions listed above and are refreshed periodically, so they may differ from what the institution currently reports. Confirm costs, deadlines and requirements with the school before making decisions.

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