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Christopher Newport has made the list – again!
Calling Christopher Newport a “welcoming community,” the Princeton Review has again ranked the University as one of the nation’s top institutions for undergraduates.
The annual ranking is based solely on student reviews obtained by the Princeton Review. Student respondents praised Christopher Newport for having the “most supportive network any student could ask for” and “super optimistic and outgoing people who love to get involved in organizations both on and off campus.”
In addition to the “Best College” ranking, the University was singled out for having one of the “Best Health Services” in the nation (No. 22).
Christopher Newport’s rankings appear in the education services company’s latest survey of 170,000 students, published in its annual report, the 2026 edition of its annual college guide, “The Best 391 Colleges: 2026 Edition.” Princeton Review’s unique approach of using only student responses stands apart from many other rankings that rely heavily on institutional data and peer evaluations.
The Princeton Review survey also features quotes from Christopher Newport students about their experiences on campus:
CNU students speak highly of their “driven and friendly” peers who they describe as “overwhelmingly kind.” Students report that you’ll often see fellow students “go out of their way to open doors and smile at strangers.” “While walking to class you quickly see friends or classmates, and nobody is afraid to wave or ask how your day is going.” Students report “strong academics and a very strong support system,” and note that faculty “are always an ear when needed” and the “strongest asset of the University.” Students found people on campus to be “very respectful” and part of a “welcoming community.” “The student body at Christopher Newport is the …most supportive network any student can ask for. It is truly a community.”
In addition to this year’s ranking for “Best Health Services,” Christopher Newport has been featured in many previous Princeton Review rankings, including last year’s honor for Best College Dorms (No. 4 nationally among public universities and No.1 in Virginia).
"The colleges we profile in our 'Best Colleges' book are a truly select group. They constitute only about 15% of America's nearly 2,400 four-year institutions" said Rob Franek, Editor-in-Chief of The Princeton Review and the book's lead author. "The colleges that make our ranking lists do so entirely as a result of their own students' opinions of them. It is what the students attending the colleges in this book tell us about their experiences at their schools that determines on which lists the schools appear in our book.”
The Princeton Review’s report offered this guidance to students aspiring to become Captains: “Christopher Newport values strong academics as well as students whose character and goals are a good fit,” however “the rigors of your high school curriculum will still take priority.”