Randolph vs. University of Charleston

Comparable Facts

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

University of Charleston is larger than Randolph based on total student enrollment (3,062 students vs. 816 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Randolph College is located in Lynchburg, VA (Small City setting); University of Charleston is in Charleston, WV (Small City setting).
• Randolph College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Charleston is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Randolph College 8:1; University of Charleston 15:1.

Randolph vs. University of Charleston Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Randolph or University of Charleston? 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 University of Charleston than Randolph ($20,844 vs. $21,668).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Charleston are 0.6% lower than at Randolph College ($12,280 vs. $12,350).
• University of Charleston is 11.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than Randolph (about $3,490 more per year; $33,800.00 vs. $30,310.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 11.5% higher at University of Charleston than at Randolph College (about $3,490 more per year; $33,800.00 vs. $30,310.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Randolph College than at University of Charleston (100% vs. 97%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Charleston students is 11.8% larger than aid received by Randolph College students ($26,132 vs. $23,372).

Randolph vs. University of Charleston Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Randolph or University of Charleston? 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 University of Charleston and Randolph.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Randolph College (1160) is 90 points higher than at University of Charleston (1070).
• Incoming Randolph students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (22 vs. 21 at University of Charleston).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Randolph College 1100/1210; University of Charleston 985/1160.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Randolph College 19/26; University of Charleston 19/23.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Randolph - Test optional; University of Charleston - Test-free.
• Accepted freshman Randolph students have a 0.22 point higher average high school GPA (3.35) than students at University of Charleston (3.13).
• Randolph has a higher acceptance rate (93.7%) than University of Charleston (61.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 11.7% at Randolph vs. 16.8% at University of Charleston.

Randolph vs. University of Charleston Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Randolph and University of Charleston? 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 University of Charleston's (51%).
• Graduates from University of Charleston earn a median of about $2,000 more per year than Randolph graduates about ten years after starting college ($45,200 vs. $43,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Charleston graduates have a $6,500 lower median loan debt than Randolph graduates ($20,500 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, University of Charleston graduates have an estimated $68 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Randolph graduates ($211 vs. $279).
• More Randolph graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former University of Charleston students, three years after graduation. (63% vs. 58%)

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.