Ashland College vs. RU

Comparable Facts

Compare Ashland University in Ashland, OH with Radford University in Radford, VA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Radford University is larger than Ashland College based on total student enrollment (7,812 students vs. 4,106 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Ashland University is located in Ashland, OH (Town Fringe setting); Radford University is in Radford, VA (Distant Town setting).
• Ashland University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Radford University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Ashland University 14:1; Radford University 14:1.

Ashland College vs. RU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Ashland College or RU? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Radford University than Ashland College ($16,749 vs. $22,610).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Radford University are 7.8% lower than at Ashland University ($12,504 vs. $13,568).
• Ashland University is 148.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than RU (about $18,662 more per year; $31,210.00 vs. $12,548.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 21.8% higher at Ashland College than at Radford University (about $5,577 more per year; $31,210.00 vs. $25,633.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Ashland University than at Radford University (100% vs. 94%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Ashland University students is 75.5% larger than aid received by Radford University students ($20,835 vs. $11,870).

Ashland College vs. RU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Ashland College or RU? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between RU and Ashland College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Ashland University (1120) is 70 points higher than at RU (1050).
• Incoming Ashland College students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 22) as students at RU (22).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Ashland University 1035/1208; Radford University 940/1160.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Ashland University 20/25; Radford University 19/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Ashland College - Test optional; RU - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Ashland College students have a 0.23 point higher average high school GPA (3.54) than students at RU (3.31).
• RU has a higher acceptance rate (89.5%) than Ashland College (76.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15.9% at Ashland College vs. 14.4% at RU.

Ashland College vs. RU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Ashland College and RU? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Ashland University's six-year graduation rate (61%) is higher than Radford University's (56%).
• Graduates from Radford University earn a median of about $7,000 more per year than Ashland College graduates about ten years after starting college ($47,400 vs. $40,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Radford University graduates have a $3,250 lower median loan debt than Ashland College graduates ($23,000 vs. $26,250).
• Among borrowers, RU graduates have an estimated $34 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Ashland College graduates ($237 vs. $271).
• More Ashland College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former RU students, three years after graduation. (71% vs. 70%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.