RU vs. WVU

Comparable Facts

Compare Radford University in Radford, VA with West Virginia University in Morgantown, WV on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

West Virginia University is larger than RU based on total student enrollment (23,643 students vs. 7,812 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Radford University is located in Radford, VA (Distant Town setting); West Virginia University is in Morgantown, WV (Small City setting).
• Radford University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. West Virginia University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Radford University 14:1; West Virginia University 19:1.

RU vs. WVU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, RU or WVU? 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 West Virginia University than RU ($15,169 vs. $16,749).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Radford University are 14.3% lower than at West Virginia University ($12,504 vs. $14,582).
• Radford University is 24.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than WVU (about $2,444 more per year; $12,548.00 vs. $10,104.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 11.6% higher at WVU than at Radford University (about $2,975 more per year; $28,608.00 vs. $25,633.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Radford University as at West Virginia University (94% vs. 94%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by West Virginia University students is 4.2% larger than aid received by Radford University students ($12,363 vs. $11,870).

RU vs. WVU Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at West Virginia University (1120) is 70 points higher than at RU (1050).
• Incoming WVU students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (23 vs. 22 at RU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Radford University 940/1160; West Virginia University 1010/1220.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Radford University 19/26; West Virginia University 20/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: RU - Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional); WVU - Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional).
• Accepted freshman WVU students have a 0.14 point higher average high school GPA (3.45) than students at RU (3.31).
• RU has a higher acceptance rate (89.5%) than WVU (89%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 14.4% at RU vs. 24.8% at WVU.

RU vs. WVU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for RU and WVU? 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).

• West Virginia University's six-year graduation rate (57%) is higher than Radford University's (56%).
• Graduates from West Virginia University earn a median of about $3,200 more per year than RU graduates about ten years after starting college ($50,600 vs. $47,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Radford University graduates have a $1,001 lower median loan debt than WVU graduates ($23,000 vs. $24,001).
• Among borrowers, RU graduates have an estimated $11 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than WVU graduates ($237 vs. $248).
• More RU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former WVU students, three years after graduation. (70% vs. 59%)

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.