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Christopher Newport University vs Roanoke College: which has better ROI?

Public, Newport News VA · vs · Private nonprofit, Salem VA

The verdict

Christopher Newport University has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $92,060 in 7.6 years versus 10.1 years at Roanoke College, on median earnings of $60,509 vs $58,047 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureChristopher Newport UniversityRoanoke College
Net price / yr$23,015$24,503
Total net cost$92,060$98,012
Median earnings, 10 yrs$60,509$58,047
Median debt$25,000$27,000
Payback7.6 yrs10.1 yrs
20-year net return$150,920$95,728

College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.

Which is cheaper, Christopher Newport University or Roanoke College?

Christopher Newport University, at $23,015 a year after aid versus $24,503 — a gap of $1,488 a year, or $5,952 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

Do Christopher Newport University or Roanoke College graduates earn more?

Christopher Newport University graduates report a median $60,509 ten years after entry, $2,462 more than the $58,047 at Roanoke College. Both are institution-wide medians from federal tax records, so a high-paying major at the lower school can beat the average at the higher one.

Which leaves students with less debt, Christopher Newport University or Roanoke College?

Christopher Newport University: its completers carry a median $25,000 in federal loans versus $27,000 at Roanoke College, a difference of $2,000. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.

Which graduates more of its students?

72% of students finish at Christopher Newport University, against 67% at Roanoke College. Completion matters to the ROI arithmetic because a degree that is never finished still carries its cost and its debt, but earns none of the graduate premium above the $48,360 high-school baseline.

Christopher Newport University vs Roanoke College: frequently asked questions

Is Christopher Newport University or Roanoke College a better value?
Christopher Newport University. It clears its $92,060 net cost in about 7.6 years versus 10.1 years at Roanoke College, on median earnings of $60,509 vs $58,047 ten years out.
Which is cheaper, Christopher Newport University or Roanoke College?
Christopher Newport University: $23,015/yr net price after aid versus $24,503/yr at Roanoke College — a difference of $1,488 a year, or about $5,952 over four years.
Do Christopher Newport University or Roanoke College graduates earn more?
Christopher Newport University graduates earn a median $60,509 ten years after entry, versus $58,047 at Roanoke College — a $2,462 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.