AU vs. RU

Comparable Facts

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

Radford University is larger than AU based on total student enrollment (7,812 students vs. 1,476 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Averett University is located in Danville, VA (Small City setting); Radford University is in Radford, VA (Distant Town setting).
• Averett University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Radford University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Averett University 16:1; Radford University 14:1.

AU vs. RU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, AU 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 AU ($16,749 vs. $23,471).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Radford University are 13.9% lower than at Averett University ($12,504 vs. $14,530).
• Averett University is 207.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than RU (about $26,002 more per year; $38,550.00 vs. $12,548.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 50.4% higher at AU than at Radford University (about $12,917 more per year; $38,550.00 vs. $25,633.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Averett University than at Radford University (99% vs. 94%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Averett University students is 152.7% larger than aid received by Radford University students ($29,998 vs. $11,870).

AU vs. RU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, AU 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 AU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Radford University (1050) is 20 points higher than at AU (1030).
• Incoming RU students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (22 vs. 21 at AU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Averett University 926/1143; Radford University 940/1160.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Averett University 15/28; Radford University 19/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: AU - Test optional; RU - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman RU students have a 0.24 point higher average high school GPA (3.31) than students at AU (3.07).
• RU has a higher acceptance rate (89.5%) than AU (56.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 18.1% at AU vs. 14.4% at RU.

AU vs. RU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for AU 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).

• Radford University's six-year graduation rate (56%) is higher than Averett University's (41%).
• Graduates from Averett University earn a median of about $1,000 more per year than RU graduates about ten years after starting college ($48,400 vs. $47,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Radford University graduates have a $2,000 lower median loan debt than AU graduates ($23,000 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, RU graduates have an estimated $21 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than AU graduates ($237 vs. $258).
• More RU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former AU students, three years after graduation. (70% vs. 51%)

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.