CCSU vs. RU

Should I go to Central Connecticut State University or Radford University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if CCSU or RU is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.

Add a college to compare up to four schools

Frequently compared to these colleges. Click a college to add to the comparison. 

Old Dominion SCSU University of Connecticut-Tri-Campus Longwood University ECSU JMU UConn UHart VSU WestConn Quinnipiac Virginia Tech
Central Connecticut State University vs. Radford University comparison
Central Connecticut State University Radford University College 3 College 4
Central Connecticut State University Radford University
Remove Remove +Add +Add

Overview

CCSU RU
Location New Britain, CT Radford, VA
Setting Large Suburban Distant Town
Enrollment 9,468 7,718
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #540 #566
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website ccsu.edu radford.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

CCSU RU
Tuition (In State) $6,470 $8,156
Tuition (Out of State) $19,358 $20,246
Room & Board $12,464 $10,567
Avg Net Price $17,088 $17,105
Avg Grant Aid $6,212 $9,733
% Receiving Grant Aid 93% 96%

Admission

CCSU RU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 7,302 11,442
Admitted 5,601 10,680
Acceptance Rate 76.7% 93.3%
Enrolled % 22.4% 11.5%
Avg High School GPA 3.2 3.31
Typical High School Grades B B+
Admissions Standards Very Easy Very Easy
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 18/24 19/23
SAT Range 940/1160 960/1160
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Aug 26, 2025

Academics

CCSU RU
Student to Faculty Ratio 14:1 12:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (30%)
  • Social Sciences (14%)
  • Education (10%)
  • Psychology (10%)
  • Communication (6%)
  • Business (18%)
  • General Studies (10%)
  • Health Professions (9%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (9%)
  • Communication (8%)

Outcomes

CCSU RU
Graduation Rate 47% 56%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $49,000 $47,400
Making Student Loan Payments 63% 70%
Median Student Loan Debt $22,500 $23,000
Median Loan Payment $232 $237

Diversity

CCSU RU
% Men 51% 33%
% Women 49% 67%
Racial Diversity Medium Low
HBCU No No
% White 65% 71%
% Black 12% 13%
% Hispanic 13% 7%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 3% 5%
% International 1% 1%
% Unknown Race 2% 1%

Students

CCSU RU
% In-State 92% 89%
% Out-of-State 7% 11%

Campus

CCSU RU
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes No No
Daycare Facility Yes No
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Central Connecticut State University is larger than than RU based on total student enrollment (9,468 students vs. 7,718 students)

CCSU vs. RU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, CCSU or RU?

  • Radford University is 26.1% more expensive to attend than CCSU for in-state tuition ($8,156.00 vs. $6,470.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 4.6% higher at RU than Central Connecticut State University ($20,246.00 vs. $19,358.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Central Connecticut State University than RU ($17,088 vs. $17,105)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Radford University are 18% lower than costs at Central Connecticut State University ($10,567 vs. $12,464)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Radford University than Central Connecticut State University (96% vs. 93%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Radford University students is 56.7% larger than aid received Central Connecticut State University ($9,733 vs. $6,212)

CCSU vs. RU Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, CCSU or RU? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between RU or CCSU .

  • Accepted freshman RU students have a 0.11 point higher average high school GPA (3.31) than students at CCSU (3.2)
  • RU has a higher acceptance rate (93.3%) than CCSU (76.7%)

CCSU vs. RU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, CCSU or RU? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between RU and CCSU.

  • The graduation rate at RU is higher than Central Connecticut State University (56% vs. 47%)
  • Graduates from Central Connecticut State University earn on average $1,600 more per year than RU graduates after ten years. ($49,000 vs. $47,400)
  • Central Connecticut State University students graduate with a $500 lower median federal student loan debt than RU graduates. ($22,500 vs. $23,000)
  • CCSU graduates are paying $5 less per month on federal student loans than RU graduates. ($232 vs. $237)
  • More RU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former CCSU 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/