Head-to-head comparison
Christopher Newport University vs University of Mary Washington: which has better ROI?
Option A Newport News, VA
Christopher Newport University
- Net price / year
- $23,015
- Earnings, 10 years
- $60,509
- Payback
- 7.6 yrs
Option B Fredericksburg, VA
University of Mary Washington
- Net price / year
- $20,667
- Earnings, 10 years
- $60,613
- Payback
- 6.7 yrs
University of Mary Washington has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $82,668 in 6.7 years versus 7.6 years at Christopher Newport University, on median earnings of $60,613 vs $60,509 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Christopher Newport University | University of Mary Washington |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $23,015 | $20,667 |
| Total net cost | $92,060 | $82,668 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $60,509 | $60,613 |
| Median debt | $25,000 | $20,500 |
| Payback | 7.6 yrs | 6.7 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $150,920 | $162,392 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
The short answer
Which is cheaper, Christopher Newport University or University of Mary Washington?
University of Mary Washington, at $20,667 a year after aid versus $23,015 — a gap of $2,348 a year, or $9,392 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
The short answer
Do Christopher Newport University or University of Mary Washington graduates earn more?
University of Mary Washington graduates report a median $60,613 ten years after entry, $104 more than the $60,509 at Christopher Newport University. 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.
The short answer
Which leaves students with less debt, Christopher Newport University or University of Mary Washington?
University of Mary Washington: its completers carry a median $20,500 in federal loans versus $25,000 at Christopher Newport University, a difference of $4,500. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
The short answer
Which graduates more of its students?
72% of students finish at Christopher Newport University, against 66% at University of Mary Washington. 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.