CSU vs. RU

Comparable Facts

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

Radford University is larger than CSU based on total student enrollment (7,812 students vs. 3,832 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Charleston Southern University is located in Charleston, SC (Small City setting); Radford University is in Radford, VA (Distant Town setting).
• Charleston Southern University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Radford University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Charleston Southern University 12:1; Radford University 14:1.

CSU vs. RU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, CSU 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 CSU ($16,749 vs. $21,080).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Charleston Southern University are 2.4% lower than at Radford University ($12,200 vs. $12,504).
• Charleston Southern University is 159.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than RU (about $19,972 more per year; $32,520.00 vs. $12,548.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 26.9% higher at CSU than at Radford University (about $6,887 more per year; $32,520.00 vs. $25,633.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Charleston Southern University than at Radford University (98% vs. 94%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Charleston Southern University students is 95.8% larger than aid received by Radford University students ($23,240 vs. $11,870).

CSU vs. RU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, CSU 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 CSU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Charleston Southern University (1050) is the same as at RU (1050).
• Incoming RU students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (22 vs. 21 at CSU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Charleston Southern University 930/1160; Radford University 940/1160.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Charleston Southern University 18/24; Radford University 19/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: CSU - Test optional; RU - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman RU students have a 0.07 point higher average high school GPA (3.31) than students at CSU (3.24).
• CSU has a higher acceptance rate (96.5%) than RU (89.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 17.7% at CSU vs. 14.4% at RU.

CSU vs. RU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for CSU 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 Charleston Southern University's (38%).
• Graduates from Radford University earn a median of about $7,600 more per year than CSU graduates about ten years after starting college ($47,400 vs. $39,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Radford University graduates have a $4,000 lower median loan debt than CSU graduates ($23,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, RU graduates have an estimated $42 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than CSU graduates ($237 vs. $279).
• More RU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former CSU students, three years after graduation. (70% vs. 50%)

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.