CNU is much smaller and newer. ODU is much larger. Both are spin-outs from W&M.

I would hire an engineering graduate from either one.

I would not say that either one is conservative politically. Both are pretty liberal just like 99% of US colleges.

Liar wrote:My kids attend a top level Northern Virginia private. I know several kids who have gone to CNU. Their parents have all said they are having/had a great experience. Lots of them were athletes - football players, a girls basketball player. It seems like it can be what you make of it -- if you challenge yourself you'll get a good degree and good job prospects. People there seem happy!

Stop lying.

My kids attend a top level Northern Virginia private. I know several kids who have gone to CNU. Their parents have all said they are having/had a great experience. Lots of them were athletes - football players, a girls basketball player. It seems like it can be what you make of it -- if you challenge yourself you'll get a good degree and good job prospects. People there seem happy!

As a DC resident I'm considering these options for my DD as I want her to have the true college experience. We wanted to choose Hampton, but the cost is just no doable.

My CNU student got several summer and school year internship offers.

Anonymous wrote:CNU is more academically inclined. Your money would be better spend attending CC for two years and transferring though. An undergrad degree is only worthwhile if there's a strong pipeline into internships and entry-level job opportunities. ODU and CNU offer nothing to justify four years of attendance.

I’ll be sure to tell that to the gainfully employed CNU students I know.

Anonymous wrote:CNU is 4,400 students in Newport News. It was once an arm of William & Mary. ODU is 25,000 undergrads, second or largest public university in the Commonwealth after GMU and JMU

Both were once William and Mary campuses.

I'm OOS and knew what the poster was talking about. I think they are great options for Virginia student who doesn't have the grades for VT or JMU and wants an alternative to George Mason. As an OOS they likely won't work because my average student would be paying full sticker.

Anonymous wrote:CNU is 4,400 students in Newport News. It was once an arm of William & Mary. ODU is 25,000 undergrads, second or largest public university in the Commonwealth after GMU and JMU

CNU does have a smaller liberal arts feel due to it's size. A friend's son is a recent graduate and enjoyed his time there! He was involved in a sport and in the band.

If public vs private is a concern due to costs, look into smaller private schools. Depending on which one, there may be decent scholarships to make the costs more equivalent.

CNU is more academically inclined. Your money would be better spend attending CC for two years and transferring though. An undergrad degree is only worthwhile if there's a strong pipeline into internships and entry-level job opportunities. ODU and CNU offer nothing to justify four years of attendance.

Actually went to ODU for a semester. The professors were actually great. Unfortunately the student body is what you would expect at non-competitive school. Just go to NVCC or a similar community college. Crime in the surrounding area is problematic as well.

CNU has a more “conservative “ feel. Most of its buildings are newer, meaning built in the last 20 years. It is a much smaller school - about 20K fewer students. Athletics is D3 - they are good but it is D3.
ODU is larger and more diverse. Athletics are D1 which may be important to some. Some of the campus feels older.

Similarities: both are public schools. Both are in tidewater. Both have good reputations but are relatively only regionally known.

CNU has a larger SLAC feel. It requires on-campus dorm living through Junior year, but most dorms are suites or apartments on campus. It has a decent sized fraternity participation % and D3 football/marching band. Students are less diverse, and are more conservative than at many other schools. About one third comes from the greater NOVA area. Newport News is very suburban feeling near the campus.

Anonymous wrote:ODU is like Radford. Low tier college.

Not everyone has top stats. These 2 schools are perfectly reasonable choices for the non-superstars.

ODU is bigger, in a more populated area, and has a football team

I would go to NOVA and try to transfer to UVa rather than ODU or CNU if your kid has any academic capabilities.