RU vs. Randolph

Comparable Facts

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

Radford University is larger than Randolph based on total student enrollment (7,812 students vs. 816 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Radford University is located in Radford, VA (Distant Town setting); Randolph College is in Lynchburg, VA (Small City setting).
• Radford University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Randolph College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Radford University 14:1; Randolph College 8:1.

RU vs. Randolph Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, RU or Randolph? 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 Randolph ($16,749 vs. $21,668).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Randolph College are 1.2% lower than at Radford University ($12,350 vs. $12,504).
• Randolph College is 141.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than RU (about $17,762 more per year; $30,310.00 vs. $12,548.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 18.2% higher at Randolph than at Radford University (about $4,677 more per year; $30,310.00 vs. $25,633.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Randolph College than at Radford University (100% vs. 94%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Randolph College students is 96.9% larger than aid received by Radford University students ($23,372 vs. $11,870).

RU vs. Randolph Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, RU or Randolph? 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 Randolph and RU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Randolph College (1160) is 110 points higher than at RU (1050).
• Incoming RU students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 22) as students at Randolph (22).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Radford University 940/1160; Randolph College 1100/1210.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Radford University 19/26; Randolph College 19/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: RU - Test optional; Randolph - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Randolph students have a 0.04 point higher average high school GPA (3.35) than students at RU (3.31).
• Randolph has a higher acceptance rate (93.7%) than RU (89.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 14.4% at RU vs. 11.7% at Randolph.

RU vs. Randolph Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for RU and Randolph? 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).

• Randolph College's six-year graduation rate (63%) is higher than Radford University's (56%).
• Graduates from Radford University earn a median of about $4,200 more per year than Randolph graduates about ten years after starting college ($47,400 vs. $43,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Radford University graduates have a $4,000 lower median loan debt than Randolph graduates ($23,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, RU graduates have an estimated $42 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Randolph graduates ($237 vs. $279).
• More RU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Randolph students, three years after graduation. (70% vs. 63%)

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.