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Radford University
Admission at Radford University is close to open (89.5%), which shifts the homework to outcomes: check the $53,739 median earnings below before the application.
Not sure where you stand? Estimate your GPA →
Radford University anchors the college town of Radford, VA, where the public campus and town largely share a footprint.
Its highest-earning path is Computer Science, where graduates median $87,740 four years out. 37.1% of undergraduates carry Pell grants — a plain read on who the campus actually serves. With 6,038 undergraduates and a residential core, weekends happen on campus — and 75.6% of first-years come back for a second year.
Submitters admitted here typically landed between 950 and 1170 — below the VA middle for four-year schools. Put your own practice estimate on Radford University's range with the SAT calculator, or bring a saved GPA from the grade tools.
Admissions
In the Fall 2023 cycle, Radford University received 11,072 applications and admitted 10,036 (90.6%), with 1,103 enrolling.
Radford University is test-optional: scores are considered when submitted but not required. The 950–1170 range below describes admitted students who chose to submit — typically Radford University's stronger testers — so treat it as the higher end of what gets in.
| Score | 25th | 50th | 75th |
|---|---|---|---|
| SAT Reading & Writing | 490 | 540 | 610 |
| SAT Math | 460 | 510 | 560 |
| ACT Composite | 19 | 22 | 26 |
Percentiles are among students who submitted scores (Fall 2023 admissions cycle).
How Radford University compares
| Radford University | Virginia median | National median | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Acceptance rate | 89.5% | 83.1% | 77.2% |
| Tuition (in-state) | $12,548 | $21,650 | $19,591 |
| Median earnings (10 yr) | $53,739 | $53,453 | $53,781 |
Earnings data favors Radford University: $53,739 median at year ten, versus $53,453 across Virginia institutions.
Cost, size & completion
In-state students pay $12,548 in tuition; crossing a state border raises that to $25,633. For non-residents, Radford University's $25,633 is the number to weigh against private options before assuming public means cheaper.
At 6,038 undergrads, Radford University is a mid-sized campus by U.S. standards.
48.7% graduate within six years. Roughly 51% don't — ask a Radford University tour guide what happens to them and watch the answer carefully.
Top majors by earnings at Radford University
| Bachelor's program | Median earnings, 4 yrs after completion |
|---|---|
| Computer Science | $87,740 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $81,120 |
| Accounting and Related Services | $78,780 |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | $72,364 |
| Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions | $71,805 |
| Economics | $69,943 |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | $68,364 |
| Information Science/Studies | $68,088 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $67,246 |
| Mathematics | $65,785 |
| Political Science and Government | $64,901 |
| Geography and Cartography | $63,552 |
| Marketing | $62,981 |
| Communication and Media Studies | $59,932 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $56,996 |
| Design and Applied Arts | $55,856 |
| Foods, Nutrition, and Related Services | $55,422 |
| Sociology | $54,122 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas | $53,863 |
| Communication Disorders Sciences and Services | $53,171 |
| Biology, General | $51,266 |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services | $51,144 |
| Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other | $50,057 |
| Social Sciences, General | $49,727 |
| Psychology, General | $48,935 |
| Parks, Recreation, and Leisure Studies | $48,743 |
| Health Professions and Related Clinical Sciences, Other | $48,566 |
| Social Work | $47,716 |
| Music | $47,586 |
| Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft | $46,725 |
| Journalism | $45,369 |
| History | $43,188 |
| Fine and Studio Arts | $40,679 |
| English Language and Literature, General | $39,085 |
Median earnings for these 34 Radford University programs come from a different federal cohort than the campus-wide $53,739 above — compare rows to each other, not to that 10-year figure. 13 additional Radford University programs have earnings withheld under federal privacy rules.
Frequently asked questions
What GPA and test scores do you need for Radford University?
Among admitted students who submitted scores, the middle 50% scored 950–1170 on the SAT. There's no published GPA cutoff — pair these ranges with the 89.5% admission rate to judge your odds.
What is Radford University's acceptance rate?
90.6% in the Fall 2023 cycle — 10,036 admitted from 11,072 applicants.
How much does Radford University cost?
In-state tuition is $12,548; out-of-state students pay $25,633. Fees, housing and aid move the real total in both directions.
What do Radford University graduates earn?
Federal data puts median earnings at $53,739 ten years after enrolling. The table above breaks this down by major.
Similar colleges in Virginia
- Randolph-Macon College — 86.6% admitted
- Randolph College — 93.7% admitted
- Richard Bland College — 89.3% admitted
- Old Dominion University — 90.4% admitted
Run your own numbers
Data: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard (Jun 2026), IPEDS ADM2023/HD2024. Retrieved 2026-09-01. Figures reflect the latest federal cohorts, which lag the current admissions cycle.