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Victory Arch, Newport News-2Photo: Smash the Iron Cage · CC BY-SA 4.0
Colleges in and near Newport News

Newport News is home to two colleges, with 4,770 students on campus

Christopher Newport University (4,503 students on campus) and Riverside College of Health Careers (267) are inside the city. About 8% of Newport News’ residents are enrolled in college, above Virginia (7%).

Christopher Newport University

From the U.S. Department of Education (College Scorecard, June 2026; IPEDS fall 2023 enrollment) and the Census Bureau’s American Community Survey, 2020–24. Straight-line distances from the center of Newport News. Colleges are described, not graded.

Within 15 miles
4
12,352 students on campus
Nearest college
1.7 mi
Christopher Newport University
Residents in college
8%
Above VA (7%)
Nearest community college
4.6 mi
Riverside College of Health Careers · $17,250 tuition
Nearest public university
1.7 mi
Christopher Newport University · $16,828 in-state
Median household income
$70K
prices below start here

What stands out about college in Newport News

Facts about the town and its distance to campus; each college’s own figures follow.

A university in Newport NewsChristopher Newport University has 4,503 students on campus in Newport News, 72% of whom graduate within six years.In-state price at Christopher Newport UniversityLiving in Virginia, Christopher Newport University charges $16,828 in tuition and fees; from out of state, $31,178. State residency rules decide which a new arrival pays.A community college 4.6 miles awayRiverside College of Health Careers in Newport News: tuition and fees $17,250 a year for Virginia residents.Students are 8% of residentsAbove Virginia (7%). The Census counts anyone enrolled, including part-time and online students.
Every college

Colleges within 15 miles of Newport News

Two private colleges within 10.7 miles, one public college within 1.7 miles, and two community colleges.

5 mi10 mi15 miChristopher Newport UniversityVirginia PeninsulaHampton UniversityNewport News
University or collegeCommunity college
Christopher Newport UniversityUniversity or college · Public · 4,503 on campus · In Newport News86%admitted$23knet price72%graduate$61kearningsRiverside College of Health CareersCommunity college · Private nonprofit · 267 on campus · In Newport News13%admitted$21knet price100%graduate$66kearningsTuition and fees: $17,250 a year. The net price counts housing and food at full cost.Virginia Peninsula Community CollegeCommunity college · Public · 4,261 on campus · 5.6 mi · Hampton$7knet price34%graduate$38kearningsTuition and fees: $5,088 a year. The net price counts housing and food at full cost.Hampton UniversityUniversity or college · Private nonprofit · 3,321 on campus · 10.7 mi · Hampton62%admitted$25knet price57%graduate$59kearnings

Degree-granting colleges with 100 or more students on campus (fall 2023 enrollment, minus students who study only online). Admitted: share of applicants offered a place. Net price: the average a year after grants, for students on federal aid. Graduate: within 6 years (4-year colleges) or 3 (2-year). Earnings: median, 10 years after starting.

What it costs

What would your family pay?

The average a year after grants, for families on federal aid, at the colleges within 15 miles. Pick your family’s income.

Family income

Starts at $48–75k, where Newport News’ median household income ($69,634) falls.

Virginia Peninsula Community College5.6 mi · Hampton · sticker $13,576 · tuition $5,088$8,021a year
Christopher Newport UniversityIn Newport News · sticker $33,766$14,163a year
Hampton University10.7 mi · Hampton · sticker $46,027$14,305a year
Riverside College of Health CareersIn Newport News · sticker $27,018 · tuition $17,250—a year

The average a year after grants and scholarships, for first-time, full-time students on federal aid, from the College Scorecard. Your own price depends on your aid package; every college has a net price calculator. For community colleges the net price counts housing and food at full cost, so tuition is shown beside it. “—”: not reported for that income.

Outcomes

Do students finish, and does it pay?

Each dot is a college within 15 miles of Newport News: across is the share who graduate, up is what they earn ten years after starting.

$0$20k$40k$60k$80k0%25%50%75%100%Graduate →Christopher Newport UniversityVirginia PeninsulaHampton University
Christopher Newport University72% graduate$61k earnings$25k typical debt
Virginia Peninsula Community College34% graduate$38k earnings$10k typical debt
Hampton University57% graduate$59k earnings$25k typical debt
Riverside College of Health Careers100% graduate$66k earnings$15k typical debt

Graduation: first-time, full-time students within 6 years (4-year colleges) or 3 years (2-year). Earnings: median, 10 years after starting, for students who got federal aid.

Majors

What students study in Newport News

Share of bachelor’s and associate degrees by field across Newport News’ 2 colleges, weighted by undergraduates; then the biggest programs.

Biology 14%Business 13%Psychology 13%Social sciences 12%Communication 9%Computer science 9%Everything else 31%

Biggest programs

Business Administration, Management and OperationsChristopher Newport University · 182 graduates a year
$82k4 yrs out
Psychology, GeneralChristopher Newport University · 152 graduates a year
$54k4 yrs out
Biology, GeneralChristopher Newport University · 132 graduates a year
$56k4 yrs out
Communication and Media StudiesChristopher Newport University · 81 graduates a year
$57k4 yrs out
Political Science and GovernmentChristopher Newport University · 61 graduates a year
$65k4 yrs out
Computer ScienceChristopher Newport University · 60 graduates a year
$102k4 yrs out
Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, OtherChristopher Newport University · 52 graduates a year
$63k4 yrs out
SociologyChristopher Newport University · 48 graduates a year
$55k4 yrs out

College Scorecard: degree shares (PCIP; each college’s six largest fields are kept, the rest count as everything else) and the field-of-study file, median earnings 4 years after graduating.

Questions about college in Newport News

Is Newport News a college town?

No. About 8 of every 100 Newport News residents are enrolled in college (Census, 2020–24), above Virginia (7). The largest campus in the city, Christopher Newport University, has 4,503 students on campus.

What colleges are in Newport News?

Christopher Newport University and Riverside College of Health Careers are inside the city.

What is the closest community college to Newport News, and what does it cost?

Riverside College of Health Careers in Newport News, 4.6 miles away. Tuition and fees are $17,250 a year for Virginia residents; the federal net price, $20,744, counts housing and food at full cost.

How much does Christopher Newport University cost if we live in Virginia?

Tuition and fees are $16,828 a year in-state and $31,178 from out of state. After grants, families on federal aid paid an average of $12,461 (under $30,000 income) to $30,584 (over $110,000), housing and food included.

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Colleges: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard and IPEDS (Scorecard 06/10/2026 · IPEDS 2024 · fall 2023 enrollment). “On campus” is fall enrollment minus students who study only online. Distances are straight-line from the center of Newport News. Residents in college, age, rent and poverty (including poverty without college students, table B14006): U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020–24. Colleges are described, not graded; the College town label marks towns where 15% or more of residents are enrolled. How TownRatings describes colleges →