Saying Christopher Newport is truly invested in the well-being and growth of all undergraduates, the Princeton Review has again ranked the University as one of the nation’s top institutions for undergraduates.

Princeton Review selected Christopher Newport as one of “The Best 392 Colleges” in the 2027 edition of its annual college guide. Only about 14% of America’s 2,800 four-year colleges are profiled.

The education services company’s rankings depend on survey answers by students and college administrators.

CNU students pointed to engaging academics in their survey responses. The faculty “make a strong effort to get to know you and create a relationship with you while [you’re] in their class.” That “makes it easier to ask for help when you need it and/or gives you a faculty member you can always reach out to.” The faculty “get more excited about my accomplishment[s] than I do and are always an ear when needed.”

The Princeton Review survey also features quotes from Christopher Newport students about campus life and their fellow classmates:

• “The fact that [it is] a smaller campus does not mean there are fewer opportunities to be involved.” CNU offers about 200 clubs, organizations and teams.
• “One signature activity here at CNU is watching the sunset at a location called Lions Bridge. It’s roughly a 30-minute walk from campus and a 10-minute drive to watch the beautiful pinks and oranges set over the coast.”
• (The vast majority of students) “are super optimistic and outgoing people who love to get involved in organizations both on and off campus.” They also tend to be “overwhelmingly kind.” Captains report that you’ll often see fellow students “go out of their way to open doors and smile at strangers.”
• “The student body at Christopher Newport is the...most supportive network any student can ask for. It is truly a community.”

CNU was also highly rated for having interesting and accessible professors, strong financial aid, and offering an exceptional quality of life for students.

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.”